San Nicolas retired on Sept. 30 after more than 31 years working at the University of Guam in the College of Education and then as the founding director in 1993 of the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service (CEDDERS), then the University Affiliated Program. She became a professor of education in 1995 and remained the director of the center until her retirement.

“It’s been a joy to serve the University for more than 30 years,” she told the room of administrators, faculty, and her staff at CEDDERS. “The University is really a tremendous place to work, it’s a great place to grow, it’s a wonderful place to make friends, and a wonderful place to be able to serve.”

In her time with the center, she leveraged funding totaling more than $138 million and implanted dozens of federal grants and local and regional contracts. Additionally, her work led to the employment of approximately 250 people, including many with disabilities and their families.

“We’re not really about ourselves,” she said. “We’re about the people we serve.”

She has also been instrumental in effectuating and strengthening policies, procedures, and services impacting the University and the island community.

“There’s a big void of publications that is yet to be written by Dr. Heidi having to do with the whole history of our people with disabilities, so she looks forward to that among many other things,” said Senior Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Anita B. Enriquez at the ceremony.

San Nicolas moved to Guam in 1988 and worked in the Guam Department of Education’s Division of Special Education before joining the University in 1989.