Dr. Santos C. Vega was born in Miami, Arizona, September 6, 1931. He married Edilia Garnica, 1956. They had nine children. Vega served in the U.S. Air Force, 1950-54. He earned a B.A. and M.Ed., University of Arizona, 1958,1959. Educator: Florence Elementary school, 1959-69; taught English, Mexican American History, and directed Continuing Education at Central Arizona College, 1969-75. Vega obtained a Ph.D. in Education from Arizona State University, 1975. Vega taught Introduction to Public Administration,and coordinated a student support program at University of Arizona, 1975-79. He directed the Hispanic Ministry program, St.Thomas Theological Seminary, Denver, Colorado, 1979-1982. Vega directed the Tercer Encuentro process in Ecclesial Region XIII, 1984-86. He directed St.Vincent de Paul Society, Denver, Colorado, 1986-1989. Vega contracted with the Hispanic Research Center, ASU, 1989. In Tempe, Vega and Edilia joined Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.In 1996 Vega joined the Order of Preachers Laity

((OPL) St. Mary Magdalene Chapter, Tempe.

Civic activities: Vega served in the Town Council and as vice-mayor of Florence, Arizona, 1964-70, 73-75; he served on the Board of directors of Aurora Public School District, Aurora, Colorado, 1983-1987.

Community service: Vega was elected President of Arizona Association of Chicanos for Higher Education, 1996-97; he served as Executive Director of Braun Sacred Heart Center. He was member of the Board of directors, Arizona Historical Society CAD, 1996-2000. Valle del Sol, Inc. Profiles of Success recognized him in 1994.

Vega's publications included poetry in Flor Y Canto Anthology of Chicano Literature, No. IV & V, 1980; "Battle of the Beasts," a story in De Colores Journal of Chicano Expression and Thought, Vol. 5, Nos.3 & 4., 1981, Pajarito Press; "Hispanic Dimensions in Training for Ministry: From Process to Program." New Catholic World, Paulist Press, July/Aug. 1980; " Mexican American Literature," and "Mexican Americans," Latino Encyclopedia, Salem Press, 1995. Vega published articles in the popular media, and in encyclopedias. He published two booklets: Momento, about "Home religion," and The Cesar Chavez Story,1997. Vega co-authored a chapter, "Health Promotion in Latino Populations" in Promoting Health in Multicultural Populations, Huff and Kline, Sage Publications, Inc., 1999.