Dr. Margaret Artero, Kisha Borja-Quichocho, and Dr. Suzanne Bells-McManus celebrate during Artero's retirement party.

A longtime advocate for education and dedicated public servant, Associate Professor Dr. Margaret Artero said her goodbyes to the University of Guam community this fall during a fun-filled retirement party.

Artero received both a B.S. in Psychology and Music and an M.S. in Student Personnel Services with a concentration in counseling from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. She also received a Ph.D. in School Counseling/Curriculum and Development from the University of Oregon before returning home and becoming an instructor for both UOG and Guam Community College towards the late 70s.Artero cutting her cake.

Artero enlisted in the Guam Army National Guard in the early 80s and over time, trained as an Equal Opportunity Advisor for the Guard’s generals. Artero retired in 2008 as a lieutenant colonel having served for 25 years.

A staple in the community, Artero served as a board member, mediator and facilitator for restorative justice at Inafa Maolek, a local non-profit organization for alternative dispute resolution. She also served as a board member for Catholic Social Services, a liaison to the counselors at the Guam Department of Education, and volunteered at St. Lourdes Catholic Church.

Artero’s daughter Jesika Artero Taitano is a UOG alumna who earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Professional Master’s in Business Administration. Jesika currently works as an Assistant Vice President at First Hawaiian Bank. Artero is hoping to add at least one more UOG graduate to the family as her granddaughter Keana is attending UOG and majoring in Psychology.

The University of Guam thanks Dr. Artero for her service and wishes her well in her future endeavors.