Background
Cortada, Rafael Leon was born on February 12, 1934 in New York City. Son of Rafael Ignacio and Yvonne Hernandez-Bernier Cortada.
Cortada, Rafael Leon was born on February 12, 1934 in New York City. Son of Rafael Ignacio and Yvonne Hernandez-Bernier Cortada.
AB, Fordham University, 1955; Master of Arts, Columbia University, 1958; Doctor of Philosophy, Fordham University, 1967; certified, Harvard University, 1974.
Instructor in history, consumer economics, New Rochelle (New York) High School, 1957-1964; instructor part-time, CUNY, Bronx Community College, 1958-1964; assistant professor, U. Dayton, Ohio, 1964-1966; consultant, Foreign Svc. Institute, Department of State, Washington, 1966; with foreign service, Department State, Washington, various countries, 1966-1969; visiting associate professor Caribbean History (part-time), Howard U., Washington, 1967-1968; chairman department of history and philosophy, associate professor of history, Federal City College, Washington, 1968-1969; professor, director Afro-American Studies, Smith College, Northampton, 1969-1971; associate provost, professor of history, Federal City College, Washington, 1969-1970; professor of history, dean of community education and urban resources, CUNY, Medgar Evers College, 1970-1971; professor of history, vice president for academic affairs, CUNY, Hostos Community College, 1971-1974; president, Metropolitan Community College, Minneapolis, 1974-1977; president, El Camino College, Torrance, California, 1982-1987; president, professor of history, U. District of Columbia, 1987-1990; president, Wayne County Community College, Detroit, 1990-1995.
Member Committee on Afro-American Studies, Smith College Board Counselor, 1969-1971, Washington Task Force on African Affairs of African Studies Association, (vice president 1969-1987), Advisory Board for Graduate Fellowship Program, Danforth Foundation, 1976-1982, Advisory Committee American Association Community and Junior Colls. International Education Consortium, 1875-1879, State Licensure Team, Department Education, State of New Jersey, 1972. Board directors Dominican Center for Orientation and Social Assistance sponsored by Executive Council Episcopal Church, 1973.
Board of Governors University of Guyana, South America, 1971-1981. Academic advisory board East Harlem Experimental and Bilingual Institute, 1971-1975, accreditation teams Middle States Association of Colleges Secondary Schools, since 1970. Public corporation member/trustees Blue Cross/Blue Shield,1976-1977.
Member of advisory commission on creative programming Station KTCA-television, Minneapolis,1976-1977, committee advisory board Public Broadcasting Service, Maryland., 1978-1982. Member cabinet of Mayor of Baltimore, 1978-1982, Health and Welfare Council Center Maryland., Baltimore, 1981-1982, Baltimore City Literacy Commission, 1981-1982. Chairman Task Force to Study Off-TrackWagering, 1981, Baltimore Economics Development Corporation (Defense Procurement Outreach Project, 1981, Guidance and Placement City-wide Advisory Committee, Baltimore Department Education, 1981.
Many other civic organizations First lieutenant Infantry United States Army, 1955-1957, Korea. Fellow American Association State Colleges Universities (senior). Member American History Association (member program planning committee for Latin American Studies, 1970 Convention, Boston, American Council Education (overseas liaison committee 1971-1980, Executive Committee), Torrance County Chamber of C. (board directors 1985-1987), District of Columbia Urban League (board directors since 1988).
Married Selonie L. Head, June 24, 1961. Children: Celia D., Natalia T., Rafael L. Junior.