New Leaders in Education May 2025
At H.O. we congratulate new education leaders that have embarked on the challenging but very rewarding journey of education leadership.
At H.O. we congratulate new education leaders that have embarked on the challenging but very rewarding journey of education leadership.
Photo by Jeison Higuita on Unsplash High in the Andes, where Peru and Bolivia share a sacred border more than 12,500 feet above sea level, lies Lake Titicaca—the highest navigable lake in the world. Revered in Andean cosmology and central to many pre-Columbian myths, the lake spans over 8,300 square kilometers and holds not only ecological richness but also remarkable cultural heritage. Near the Peruvian city of Puno, a unique community continues to float—literally—on its waters. These are the Uros, an Indigenous people whose homes is not on land but on human-made islands built entirely of reeds. According to the BBC, approximately 1,300 Uros people live on around 80 man-made floating islands in Lake Titicaca today.
Marvin Martinez, an immigrant from El Salvador, built a 36-year career in higher education leadership, expanding access, advocating for Latino students, and promoting community college partnerships, workforce development, and adult education to meet changing demographics and uplift underrepresented communities.
Photo courtesy of San Jacinto College San Jacinto College advanced STEM engagement in 2023–2025 through faculty development, student research, community outreach events, university partnerships, and hands-on expos, sparking STEM interest among K–12 students and offering research pathways for undergraduates.
Photo courtesy of Cal Poly Pomona Cal Poly Pomona’s Project CAMINOS, funded by a Title V HSI grant, supports first-generation and underserved students through programs like Bronco Scholars, offering academic preparation, mentorship, and outreach to improve college access, retention, and graduation rates.
Community colleges significantly boost social mobility, especially for Hispanic/Latino students. Hispanic Outlook annually recognizes the top 50 institutions by enrollment and degrees granted, highlighting the growing role of both two- and four-year public colleges in serving this expanding student population.
Community college study abroad programs, though less common, play a key role in expanding global access for underrepresented students. Despite limited resources, they promote diversity, personal growth, and career development—especially through support like the federal Gilman Scholarship, now facing funding threats.
The Community College Baccalaureate Association champions the expansion of bachelor's degrees at community colleges, providing Latino students with affordable, flexible, and workforce-aligned pathways to high-demand careers. These programs foster socio-economic mobility, meet local industry needs, and reduce student debt, transforming both lives and communities.
Miami Dade College drives South Florida’s economy through education, workforce innovation, and strategic industry partnerships, especially in AI and apprenticeships, while empowering a diverse, largely Hispanic student body with accessible, career-focused pathways and national leadership in higher education.
Raritan Valley Community College supports Latino students through outreach programs like CRECER and EOF, offering mentorship, financial aid, and academic resources to ease college transitions, improve success rates, celebrate Hispanic culture, and foster community engagement and educational opportunity.
Linda McMahon was confirmed as Secretary of Education and tasked with beginning to dismantle the Department of Education, aiming to restructure and downsize it. Although unable to eliminate the agency entirely, she plans significant reforms and decentralization.
At H.O. we congratulate new education leaders that have embarked on the challenging but very rewarding journey of education leadership.
Photo courtesy of American River College Lisa Cardoza, the first Latina president of American River College, champions diversity, student success, and community partnerships. Overcoming early challenges, she now focuses on expanding Latino support programs, improving transfer rates, and enhancing financial aid to foster student achievement.
Photo courtesy of toshy_o from Getty Images Pro College enrollment trends in 2025 are complex, with conflicting reports on growth and decline across different institutions and programs. Factors include increased short-term program enrollment, declining small colleges, foreign student numbers, and concerns over degree value.
At H.O. we congratulate new education leaders that have embarked on the challenging but very rewarding journey of education leadership.
