I

was raised with a dual understanding of education — one, that recognizes the importance of education (schooling), and the other, educación (values). Educación is a word in Spanish that extends the definition of education beyond schooling to include a way of acting with values such as respect, integrity and community responsibility. The proverb, “la educación nace en la cuna” (education begins in the cradle), celebrates and legitimizes the important roles community and culture play in developing una persona educada and a well-educated person. The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) embodies this dual understanding of educación through its commitment to preparing Latinas/os to pursue careers in higher education as faculty, administrators and policy makers.   

I was honored to be selected as an AAHHE Faculty Fellow in 2012 and served as co-chair of the Faculty Fellows program from 2014 to 2017 with Dr. Luis Urrieta. What I loved most about my time as co-chair of the Faculty Fellows program was having the opportunity to meet and work with Latina/o faculty members, graduate students and undergraduates from across the country. From behavioral neuroscience to ethnomusicology, AAHHE Faculty and Graduate Fellows are expanding the intellectual possibilities of academic disciplines. What is equally inspiring is their commitment to the generations that will come after them — each faculty fellow selected spoke of their work to recruit and retain Latina/o and other historically underserved students in institutions of higher education. It is no surprise then that I often hear of AAHHE Faculty and Graduate Fellow alumni winning awards or grants that recognize their scholarship and commitment to improving education opportunities.

Like many who have benefitted from AAHHE programs and conferences, I am extremely grateful for the time, energy and corazón that the AAHHE leadership dedicates to planning and funding the annual conference. I feel fortunate to be part of the AAHHE community because our efforts remind me that it is not enough to be well educated but ser bien educados also means lifting as we climb. •