Loretta Damon was recently named the 2011 Native American Woman of the Year from the Phoenix Indian Center and the Arizona State University Native American Alumnus of the Year. Damon, program advisor at Mesa Community College’s American Indian Center, received the awards for her commitment to the Native American community and students. She was the first in her family to attend college.
Damon attended Phoenix College and then earned a bachelor’s degree in 1975 and a masters of education in 1982 from Arizona State University. Her first job after receiving her bachelor’s degree was at Fees Junior High School in Tempe, where she worked with at-risk students.
For 28 years, Damon has worked within the Maricopa County Community College District mentoring and helping native students succeed in college.
