Isabel Hernandez-Serna, the wife of the late Mayor Joe Serna Jr., died of cancer, Monday evening, at the age of 54 ? only 10 months after her husband died. Hernandez-Serna had been a professor and administrator at Sacramento State for 30 years.

While much of the city will remember her as the supportive partner of the late mayor, Sac State will also celebrate her dedication to increasing the awareness of issues surrounding diversity, multiculturalism and affirmative action.

“Our late Mayor, Joe Serna, Jr. could not have accomplished all that he did for our city without the support and love of Isabel. Isabel was a gracious woman who, as a professional educator at California State University Sacramento, achieved her own place in the city’s history,” Sacramento mayor, Jimmie R. Yee said.

Hernandez-Serna became a professor in 1970, where she taught Spanish, Latin American, Chicano and Mexican literature, ethnic studies and bilingual education for teachers.

In the late 1970’s, as the chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies, she was instrumental in creating the Educational Opportunity Program for underprivileged and minority students.

When she became an administrator, Hernandez-Serna continued her work in diversity, initiating a program that recruits children of migrant workers to Sac State. In addition, she helped underrepresented students stay in college and continue on to graduate school.

In 1994, Hernandez-Serna was appointed assistant vice-president for academic affairs, educational equity and student retention. In that position, she worked at improving student retention and graduation rates.

“Her loss hits us very hard, not just those of us who worked with her or knew her through the community, but the many students whom she nurtured ? and at times pushed ? and helped to succeed, ” Sac State President Donald R. Gerth said Tuesday.

Born in the southern Spanish province of Almeria, her family moved to Vacaville after World War II. As a member of a family of farm workers, she became dedicated to Latino social and political causes. For several years she and her husband were ver y active in Cesar Chavez’s United Farm Workers.

In 1968, Hernandez-Serna received her B.A. at Sac State in Spanish. She went on to get a master’s degree in Latin American Literature at Sac State, a second master’s degree in English as a second language from Stanford University and a Ph.D. in bilingual/bicultural education and sociolinguistics from Stanford in 1980.

In 1981, she married Joe Serna and adopted his children, Lisa Serna-Mayorga, 28, and Phillip Serna, 32 in a ceremony two days before he died.

She is survived by her two children, grandson Andres Miguel Mayorga, son-in-law Edgard Mayorga, daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law Roxanna Recinos-Serna, sister Rose Molina and brothers Roger and Tony Hernandez.

Private services are planned for Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Clarksburg. The family has asked that remembrances be sent to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas TX 75244.

“Isabel has given much to this University and our community. We have all lost a wonderful and committed individual. At this University we will feel that loss immensely,” said Gerth.