Toni Hopper Pendergrass

Dr. Toni Hopper Pendergrass has served as the president of San Juan College since 2012. With over 23 years of experience in community college administration, Dr. Pendergrass is committed to continuing to advance student success, community partnerships and economic development. During the first five years of her presidency, she worked closely with the faculty and staff to increase the number of graduates by 143 percent.  She also collaborated with four school district superintendents to establish an early college high school that is ranked as the number one high school in the State of New Mexico.  San Juan College has also achieved the ranking as number one in the nation among the 1,1,08 community colleges for awarding certificates to Native American graduates and number two in the nation for awarding associate’s degrees to Native American graduates.  Dr. Pendergrass serves on the following boards:  American Association for Community Colleges, Higher Education Research and Development Institute, Four Corners Economic Development, New Mexico Independent Community Colleges, and the Center for Legislative Energy and Environmental Research University Advisory Board

Prior to San Juan College, Dr. Pendergrass served as the Vice President for Learning at San Jacinto College, in Houston, Texas. Previously, she served as Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Success at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas, as well as the Executive Dean of Communications, Mathematics, Developmental Students, and Teacher Preparation Division.

Dr. Pendergrass earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration with a specialization in Community College Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics and Economics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics and Business, both from New Mexico State University.