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.
The Olympics and Supreme Court rulings highlight the ongoing debate over gender identity in sports. At the Democratic National Convention, concerns centered on the diminishing Latino vote, immigration issues, and economic topics crucial for Kamala Harris’s campaign.
Colleges and universities have a unique opportunity to celebrate and recognize the contributions and experiences of Hispanic and Latinx students during the Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, which allows institutions to foster inclusion, honor cultural diversity, and create meaningful events and activities that amplify the voices and experiences of Hispanic and Latinx individuals within the academic community.
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.
University and college presidents play a critical role in shaping the institutional culture by embracing compassion, humility, effective communication and collaboration, particularly as observed in Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). This approach not only supports the well-being of the campus community but also enhances the institution's ability to navigate crises and challenges.
Gustavo A. Mellander explora el contexto histórico de los censos desde la antigua Babilonia hasta las prácticas modernas en los Estados Unidos. Se discuten investigaciones recientes sobre los logros educativos de los jóvenes hispanos, los desafíos y la necesidad de estrategias innovadoras para apoyar a las poblaciones desatendidas en la educación superior.
Universities see calm summers; DC bans legacy admissions; Biden's student loan forgiveness is halted; political focus shifts to diverse, economically-driven Hispanic voters; and federal law restricts foreign nationals from contributing to or participating in U.S. elections.
The Adams State LEAD program offers graduate courses in Educational Leadership for K-20 professionals, expanding from its original focus on postsecondary education to include the entire K-20 pipeline. The program, supported by a US Department of Education grant, emphasizes equity, social justice, and cultural competency, and has been recognized for its success in promoting Latino/a graduate student achievement.
Salvador Hector Ochoa’s career focuses on meeting Hispanic students' psychosocial and educational needs, emphasizing proactive engagement, curriculum alignment, and support structures to improve outcomes, especially for first-generation students, while managing rapid growth at Texas A&M-San Antonio.
Established in 1989, the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy at UMass Boston advances Latino leadership through programs for multilingual youth and UMass Boston undergraduates, emphasizing community cultural wealth and academic success.
The National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC) Fellowship program has been instrumental in developing Hispanic leaders in community colleges since its inception.The program, founded by Dr. Ted Martinez, Jr., addresses the unique challenges faced by Hispanic administrators and promotes transformational leadership, cultural affirmation, and agency for carrying out change.
The LARES program at the University of Illinois Chicago, established in 1975, recruits and supports Latino students, fostering leadership and academic success. Its initiatives have significantly increased Latino student enrollment and retention, earning recognition and solidifying UIC’s role in Latino education.
