Dr. Carmen Olivas Graham, a member of the El Paso Community College Board of Trustees, has served Texas public schools for over 27 years in various capacities starting as a teacher, administrator and parent educator.
Dr. Olivas Graham’s education experience includes positions as Director for Youth and Federal programs, District Grant Writer, Director of Employee Benefits and Employee Relations, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. As an adjunct professor, she has taught at the university and community college levels and has worked with various international and local teacher education programs.
With a career founded on professional working relationships, Dr. Olivas Graham is currently serving her second six-year term on the Texas Workforce Investment Council, as appointed by the Texas Governor. In addition to volunteering in many organizations, Dr. Olivas Graham has served for the past five years as a member of the El Paso Community College Board of Trustees. Her philosophy embraces the idea that collaborative work is critical to continue improving the El Paso community, the State of Texas and America as a whole. It is her belief that together, community leaders can find innovative ways to help people and enable them to grow and prosper. As the hallmark of her work, Dr. Olivas Graham is most passionate about instituting a service-driven philosophy with inclusive leadership, always striving to reach the highest levels of excellence and accountability.
Born and raised in a small farming community in the State of Chihuahua, Dr. Olivas Graham came to the United States at the age of 13 with a beautiful family of seven. Her humble, yet intelligent parents conveyed the message that education was the way, inspiring all to obtain degrees. As a servant of the people, she is firmly committed to use her abilities, work experience and academic preparation to meet their goals and improve lives.
Dr. Olivas Graham holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, a master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin University and a doctorate from New Mexico State University.