Margarita Nolasco Santiago

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Nolasco and the second or maternal family name is Santiago.

Margarita Nolasco Santiago
Member of the Puerto Rico Senate from the at-large district
In office 2008–2019
President pro tempore of the Senate of Puerto Rico
In office 2008–2012
Preceded by	Orlando Parga
Succeeded by	Jose Luis Dalmau
Member of the Puerto Rico Senate from the Guayama district
In office 2004–2008
Majority Speaker of the Senate of Puerto Rico
In office 2005–2008
Preceded by	Jorge de Castro Font
Succeeded by	Roberto Arango
Majority Whip of the Senate of Puerto Rico
In office 2005–2005
Succeeded by	Carlos Pagán
Mayor of Coamo
In office 1996–2000
Preceded by	Carlos Luis Torres Santiago
Succeeded by	Juan Carlos García Padilla
Personal details
Born	Coamo, Puerto Rico
Political party	New Progressive Party
Children	Angel Miguel (b. 1979)
Alma mater	Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (BA) New York State University (M.Ed.) Interamerican University of Puerto Rico (Ed.D)
Profession	Politician senator mayor

Margarita Nolasco Santiago is a Puerto Rican politician, senator, and former Mayor of Coamo. She has been a member of the Senate of Puerto Rico since 2004.

Early years and studies

Margarita Nolasco obtained her bachelor's degree from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and her master's degree from State University of New York, both in Education with a Major in Mathematics. She then completed her Doctorate in Education with a Major in Curriculum from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.

Professional career

After receiving her bachelor's degree, Nolasco worked for the Puerto Rico Department of Education in Barranquitas High School. After finishing her master's degree, she worked as a mathematics teacher at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico in Barranquitas. Two years later, she was appointed as Coordinator of Academic Affairs of the same institution.

After some time, she transferred to the Interamerican University of San Germán where she worked as Director of the General Education Program. She then transferred to the Ponce Campus where she worked as Dean of Academic Affairs.

She is co-author of two books in mathematics with McGraw-Hill.

Political career

Nolasco began her political career in 1996, when she was elected as Mayor of Coamo. She ran again in the 2000 elections, but lost to the candidate of the Popular Democratic Party.

In 2004, she was elected to the Senate of Puerto Rico for the District of Guayama. She became the Majority Whip of her party, and eventually the Majority Speaker. During that term, she presided the Commission of Superior Education, among others.

For the 2008 general elections, Nolasco ran for Senator at-large after winning a slot at the PNP primaries. She was elected and appointed as President pro tempore by President Thomas Rivera Schatz.

Personal life

Nolasco has a son: Angel Miguel Cruz Nolasco, born in 1979. She also has three grandchildren: Clarymar, Angélica Cristina, and Angel Miguel.

See also

• Senate of Puerto Rico

External links

• Hon. Margarita Nolasco on SenadoPR