Former AIC provost steps into TUSD political arena

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Celestino Fernandez

Celestino Fern‡ndez, who stepped down as provost of Arizona International College July 1, said that giving up his administrative duties allowed him the time to pursue the TUSD position.

"I had thought about it in the past and couldn't do it because of the time constraints with my administrative position with the university," Fern‡ndez said Monday.

Fern‡ndez, 48, has worked for 22 years at the University of Arizona, spending the last 15 years in various administrative capacities. He has held the positions of vice president for academic outreach and international affairs in addition to vice president for undergraduate education and associate vice president for academic affairs at the UA.

He is on sabbatical this semester and will return to teach two classes in the UA sociology department this spring.

At that time he will find out if he secured one of the two open board positions Nov. 3, when ballots are counted. Fern‡ndez could face a possible 11 other candidates, although only three had filed for the race as of yesterday, TUSD officials said.

After two years as provost of the liberal arts college, Fern‡ndez said he is no stranger to media attention.

"Running for office isn't completely out of the limelight," he said. "People comment to me when they hear I am running for the board, 'Oh, you're going out of the pan and into the fire.'"

Fern‡ndez took some heat from the university community last fall when he announced he would resign as AIC provost. The decision came as UA President Peter Likins announced plans to move the fledging branch campus to UA's main campus this summer.

His October decision came on the heels of a petition to close AIC, signed by 27 UA faculty members who singled out Fern‡ndez for criticism. Others, however, thanked the former administrator for his hard work and for tackling several administrative positions.

Fern‡ndez's supporters say his enthusiasm would benefit the TUSD.

"Celestino is a life-long educator and is extremely knowledgeable at all levels of education," said Michael Cusanovich, UA vice president for research. "Most importantly, he understands the word 'excellence.'"

Cusanovich said previous UA faculty members have also sat on the board.

"Historically, we have had someone on the board," Cusanovich said. "We have a lot of expertise, and to share that expertise with the community is fantastic."

But current board member Gloria Copeland said teaching at the UA does not guarantee that Fern‡ndez would be effective.

"The fact he (Fern‡ndez) is from the UA doesn't take anything away from the board, but it doesn't bring anything to the board either," said Copeland.

Fern‡ndez said working on the TUSD board would not affect his ability to teach and advise at the UA because the evening meetings would not conflict with his schedule.

UA sociology department head David Snow would not comment on Fern‡ndez's decision to run.

"I have no opinion for or against," said Snow. "If a faculty member wants to run, that's (his) own business, and (he doesn't) have to clear it with me."

John Garcia, a UA political science professor, said he supports Fern‡ndez's run for the board.

"He has a long-standing commitment to education," he said. "It is like putting your feet in both camps - in academics and the real world."

Anthony C. Braza can be reached via e-mail at

Anthony.C.Braza

@wildcat.arizona.edu.