Domínguez
connects on homefront, at UNM
By Frank
D. Martinez
Connections.
Thats what being born and growing up in Tucumcari provided,
and still provides, for Jerónimo Jerry C.
Domínguez, UNM vice provost for Extended University and
dean of Continuing Education and Community Services.
Domínguez
is one of eight children born to the late Ismael and Fidelia,
who were also natives of the Tucumcari area. He was one of three
of the children born in the familys home.
The family
residence, still owned by Domínguez and his brothers
and sisters, now provides the connection for them to gather
on major holidays and other family occasions. Tucumcari
is still very much a family destination. The family home is
still a destination for Christmas, holidays and reunions. We
keep it because we feel that, at some point, one of us is going
to want to go back to Tucumcari, he says.
The home
also provides a connection to values he learned from a very
young age. Its home. Its a hard thing to give
up. The house has no major financial value, but it has tremendous
emotional value for all of us, he explains.
As a teenager,
Domínguez was involved with a church organization that
provided him the opportunity to work with the areas less
fortunate residents. It made a big impression on me. It
helped motivate me and taught me the importance of getting involved.
It helped me appreciate the value of getting a good education
and of having a support system, he says.
In high
school, he became the first Hispanic student body president.
Tucumcari
also provided him with a connection to the outside world. During
the time I was growing up, Tucumcari was recognized for being
on Route 66. With it came many hospitality and service industries.
It was an opportunity for us to meet people from all over the
country. I worked in restaurants, motels and gas stations. It
was interesting to meet and talk with people from different
states, he says.
Following
high school graduation, Domínguez enrolled at Eastern
New Mexico University, where he earned a bachelors degree
in speech pathology and psychology.
He then
earned a masters degree in speech pathology from UNM in
1972 and then a Ph.D. in special education, also from UNM, in
1982.
His professional
career began as assistant director of Programs for Children
in the UNM School of Medicines Mental Health Center. From
1972 through 1984, he held various research, academic and administrative
positions at UNM and elsewhere. In 1982-83, Domínguez
experimented as an entrepreneur, serving as an educational consultant
and majority owner of a private computer business. In 1984,
he secured grant funding to establish Project SET-UP within
Continuing Education and Community Services.
In 1995,
Domínguez was named dean of the UNM Division of Continuing
Education and Community Services and, in 1999, assumed the additional
title of vice provost of Extended University, further helping
to connect UNM to communities statewide.
He and
his wife, Meave StevensDomínguez, Ph.D., are the parents
of two boys, Jared and Jalen, with whom he enjoys spending time.
A sportsman, he coached youth teams and enjoys outdoor sports.
He works
hard to impart the values he learned in Tucumcari to his sons,
both of whom are involved in athletics and both, he says, will
be future Lobos.
Domínguez
has many relatives and friends in Tucumcari. In addition, each
year Tucumcari High School invites all of the classes
from previous years making it one of the largest reunions in
the state, he says. So, I really enjoy going back.
Im
proud to be from Tucumcari, he adds.
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