Paxson Named San Juan College Dean of Health Sciences

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 2:38 PM

Her tenure at San Juan College began in 2000, as the first faculty member for the Dental Hygiene Program. After leaving to teach in the public schools, she returned to San Juan College in 2008. Paxson served as the Hygiene program’s First-Year Coordinator before serving as the school’s interim dean.

From San Juan College

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Congratulations to Sherry Paxson who was recently named the dean of the School of Health Sciences.

Paxson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Oklahoma. She graduated from the San Juan College Alternative License Teacher Education Program. She earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico.

Prior to joining San Juan College, Paxson taught 7^th grade Biology at Heights Middle School. She was the first bachelor degree Dental Hygienist to be commissioned in the U.S. Public Health Service. She served with the Indian Health Service as a Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Coordinator in Oklahoma, Idaho, and New Mexico. She planned, implemented and evaluated dental public health programs that served thousands of Native Americans.

“I am confident that the School of Health Sciences will continue to grow and improve under Sherry’s leadership,” says Dr. Adrienne Forgette, San Juan College vice president for Learning. “Her experience as Interim Dean and as a faculty member will greatly benefit San Juan College. She brings an excellent understanding of the school, its programs, and the faculty with her into this new role.”

“I am excited to meet the new challenges of serving the School of Health Sciences and San Juan College,” adds Paxson. “I look forward to working with the programs and people in the School to make San Juan College the premier institution for allied health education in this region. We have a great opportunity to serve our students and improve the health of our community by graduating exemplary health professionals.”

Paxson has been married to her high school sweetheart, Randy for 34 years. They have two adult sons, Chandler and Presley. Paxson enjoys sports, playing games and refurbishing old furniture. She is an intense soccer fan and a Harry Potter nerd.

More from Local News

Bus Service to Link Farmington to Durango, Albuquerque

The need for the route was identified in the Statewide Public Transportation Plan and will run between Albuquerque, Farmington, Bernalillo, Cuba and into Durango, CO. The new service line will run five days a week, with one round trip each day, providing access to Navajo Transit and Red Apple Transit in Farmington.
Two Fatally Shot in Durango, Suspect Shoots Self

Durango Police say that both victims from Monday night's shooting, Shelby Campbell (32) and Emma Sims (32), have passed away from their injuries. The suspect, Bradley Campbell (32), remains on life support with a gunshot wound to the head. Durango Police Detectives continue to investigate this incident, but there is no indication that anyone else was involved.
Murder-Suicide in busy Durango shopping area

Bystanders immediately called 911, prompting an emergency response from the Durango Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff's Office, and Durango Fire & Rescue. First Responders arrived within minutes and began life-saving measures on both individuals. Both were transported to Mercy Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.