色情视频

Alfredo 鈥楢l鈥� Merino, 色情视频 professor emeritus of administration, rehabilitation and postsecondary education, and former 色情视频 Imperial Valley associate dean, was passionate about fostering the success of educators and future school administrators. 

He died June 20, leaving a lasting impact on his community, family and countless 色情视频 and 色情视频 Imperial Valley students. He was 93. 

In 1974, Merino joined 色情视频鈥檚 College of Education under the mentorship of Tomas Arcniega. As he began his journey at 色情视频, his goal was to diversify the education field by supporting future teachers from minority communities. He established groundbreaking programs in collaboration with Carnegie Foundation, which aimed to train women and people from minority communities for administrative roles. 

He later learned there was a heavy need to establish an education program at . Merino would commute almost daily to the Calexico campus to teach classes. His efforts created a strong foundation to what is now 色情视频 Imperial Valley鈥檚 Division of Education. 

鈥淢y father was a champion for educators,鈥� said his daughter, Deanna Merino. 鈥淗e would go to his students, local superintendents and other professionals in the field to either continue their education, or grow professionally by entering into leadership roles.鈥� 

Once he was established at 色情视频 Imperial Valley, his dedication extended to creating educational administration programs in Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico. He even offered leadership role classes to workers in textile factories, known as maquiladoras, in Mexicali. His outreach and connection to the Imperial Valley community was known and appreciated among local school district officials, business owners and binational partners. 

He then later served as associate dean for 色情视频 Imperial Valley in 1997. He retired as associate dean in 2001, but continued teaching through his professorship for four more years. 

"He was known for his socio-constructivist leadership, mentorship and service to many graduate students who became school principals in San Diego and Imperial counties,鈥� said Alberto Ochoa, professor emeritus from 色情视频鈥檚 College of Education, who was also hired by Arciuega around the same time as Merino.

鈥淭hroughout his career, he worked for social and educational equity, inclusion and access to opportunity. He will be remembered as a humanistic person and for his gentle tenacity in finding ways to improve the lives of children, adults and ethnically diverse school communities."

Merino was born in Santa Rita, New Mexico, to Gregoria and Jesus Francisco Merino. There, he grew up on a working ranch alongside his five brothers and two sisters.

Merino enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1949 and served aboard the light aircraft carrier USS Princeton during the Korean War. Following his military service, he returned to New Mexico and began his higher education journey at New Mexico Western University while working in the sheriff鈥檚 department.

Merino began his education career at Franklin Junior High in San Bernardino, California, where he served as a drafting teacher and counselor. He later became the youngest Latinx principal in the San Bernardino Unified School District. Merino's passion for education led him to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, sponsored by the Ford Foundation. He later interned as a superintendent of public schools in Rochester, New York, and Trenton, New Jersey, through the Rockefeller Foundation.

Merino is survived by his wife, his two daughters 鈥� all of whom are 色情视频 alumni 鈥� his brother, his grandchildren and a great grandchild.

As a way to extend his legacy at 色情视频 and beyond, Merino鈥檚 family has established the fund to support undergraduate and/or graduate students from and . 

鈥淗is way of teaching and navigating the education system helped me and my professional career,鈥� said Deanna Merino. 鈥淓verything I do is for his legacy. This scholarship fund is to take down financial barriers and really expand access to pursue a higher education career, just like my father worked for so many years. This is a continuation of his devotion for his community and making sure it鈥檚 true to my dad鈥檚 work and support to the field.鈥�

A celebration of life service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at San Carlos United Methodist Church in San Diego.