This month we congratulate new education leaders that have embarked on the challenging but very rewarding journey of education leadership.

Yeurys Pujols

Yeurys Pujols has been appointed Inaugural Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Hudson County Community College. He holds a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University, and a Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University.

Dr. Carlos O. Cortez

Dr. Carlos O. Cortez has been selected as Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), which includes San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges. Dr. Cortez has taught consistently for the past 23 years. He has served as an administrator for 16 years and as CEO for 11 years. 

Maria Linda Schols 

As a first-generation American citizen and a first-generation college student, Teresa Maria Linda Scholz can relate to many New Mexico State University students. Raised in Guatemala and the United States, Scholz joined NMSU in August 2021 as the first-ever Vice President for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. 

Jessica Pandya

California State University, Dominguez Hills appointed Jessica Pandya  as Dean for the College of Education. Pandya joins CSUDH after serving more than 15 years at CSU Long Beach as a professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Liberal Studies.

Jasmine Parker

Dallas College recently welcomed Dr. Jasmine Parker as its Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Parker is a visionary strategist who has designed and executed organizational diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at various institutions of higher education.

Daisy Gonzales

Deputy Chancellor Daisy Gonzales has assumed the role of Acting Chancellor of California Community Colleges upon California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Oakley’s sabbatical to serve as a temporary Senior Advisor to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona  She became Deputy Chancellor of California Community Colleges in 2017, the first Latina and second woman ever to occupy this post.

Dr. Julius Sokenu

Dr. Julius Sokenu was named President of Moorpark College in April. Sokenu served as the interim President since 2019 and has been with the college for 14 years. He earned a doctorate in education, with an emphasis in curriculum and teaching, from Boston University. Moorpark College is part of the Ventura County Community College District.

Cristallea K. Buchanan

Cristallea K. Buchanan, the Head of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda Motor Co., became the inaugural Vice President for Talent, Culture and Diversity for California Lutheran University on Aug. 1. She is the university’s Chief Diversity Officer.

At HO, we would also like to honor retiring leaders who have left a mark in education for their distinguished service.

Greg Gillespie, Ph.D.

Ventura County Community College District Chancellor Greg Gillespie, Ph.D., announced his retirement, effective the end of June 2022. He joined the District eight years ago, first as president of Ventura College.

Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D.

Chancellor Constance M. Carroll, who served as Chancellor for San Diego Community College District since 2004, retired in 2021. Prior to being named chancellor, Dr. Carroll served 11 years as president of San Diego Mesa College, the district’s largest college. Before that, she was president of Saddleback College in Orange County and president of Indian Valley Colleges in Marin County.

We are proud to share with our readers that the outstanding work of Hispanic Outlook writer Sylvia Mendoza has been recognized by the San Diego Press Club at their 47th Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards, held in October 2021. Sylvia won first prize in the category “Magazines: Education” for her article “Immersion into Mexican Culture And Law” (April 2021) and third prize in the category “Magazines: Multicultural” for the article “Latina Golfers Association: One Woman’s Quest to Level the Playing Field” (March 2021), both of which were published in HO. 

Congratulations Sylvia!