̽»¨Â¥

I am running for the role of Vice President for Access and Equity because I believe deeply in the transformative power of higher education, not just for students, but for those of us who dedicate our careers to supporting learners, advancing institutional missions, and shaping our profession toward greater inclusivity. My journey as a first-generation LatinX college graduate, combined with over two decades of higher education leadership, has shaped my unwavering commitment to ensuring access and equity for colleagues across our field.

Throughout my career, I have championed initiatives that open pathways for underrepresented professionals and cultivate environments where all can thrive. As Co-chair of ̽»¨Â¥’s LatinX Caucus, I have worked to elevate the voices and lived experiences of LatinX colleagues, leading professional development workshops designed to equip our members with tools to foster belonging, address barriers to advancement, and celebrate cultural strengths.

My tenure as Registrar & Assistant Dean of Enrollment Services at the Harvard Graduate School of Education has given me insight into how inclusive organizational practices shape workplace culture. I prioritized staff training on equity and bias mitigation, led initiatives to integrate equity into our business processes, and mentored emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds. I have developed and managed teams where different perspectives are valued and where colleagues from marginalized backgrounds have the support and opportunities to advance into leadership roles.

Earlier, as Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor for a mentoring program, I developed the Peer Mentoring “CONNECTIONS” and Campus Mentoring Program to support both students and a diverse group of peer mentors and staff. This experience deepened my understanding of cultivating communities of belonging and supporting professional growth for colleagues from all backgrounds.

As a member of LatinX professional organizations and through service as Director of Membership for NEACRAO and as President and Vice President of Professional Development for FACRAO, I have advocated for policies and programming addressing systemic inequities in hiring, promotion, and support. These experiences have allowed me to work with regional partners to advance access goals, diversify professional pipelines, and ensure our field evolves toward a more equitable future.

If elected Vice President for Access and Equity, my goals are threefold:

Advance Best Practices for a Diverse Higher Education Workforce: I will lead efforts to surface, develop, and disseminate strategies that remove barriers and create equitable pathways for underrepresented professionals across admissions, enrollment services, and records administration. This includes promoting institutional policies that foster inclusive hiring, retention, and advancement for colleagues from historically marginalized communities. By amplifying success stories and lessons learned, I will empower members to adapt evidence-based practices in their own contexts.

Foster Accountability and Transparency in Equity Initiatives: I am committed to establishing clear metrics and regular reporting structures to monitor the Association’s progress in advancing equity for members. Gathering and analyzing demographic and climate data about our profession will help us better recognize and address gaps, ensuring our workshops, programs, leadership pipelines, and volunteer opportunities reflect the full range of identities and experiences in our field. Transparent communication and a data-driven approach will keep ̽»¨Â¥ effective and intentional in its equity commitments.

Expand Professional Development and Policy Engagement: I will guide the delivery of robust professional development tailored to the evolving needs of ̽»¨Â¥ members. This will include sessions on overcoming bias, building inclusive teams, leveraging cultural strengths, and navigating advancement as professionals from underrepresented groups. I will ensure ̽»¨Â¥’s voice is influential in policy discussions and collaborations on issues that affect access and equity for our profession; advocating for equitable hiring, inclusive leadership, and workplace policies that support well-being. I will strive to represent the voices of all members and ensure equity considerations shape every aspect of our collective work.

In my research and teaching roles, I have blended scholarship and practice, mentoring first-generation and LatinX colleagues and advocating for the broader contributions of those working “behind the scenes” in higher education. My passion for this work is both personal and professional, as I know the impact a supportive, equitable workplace can have on individual careers and on our professional community as a whole.

I am inspired by ̽»¨Â¥’s ongoing commitment to progress and humbled by the opportunity to serve. Together, we can create a future where every colleague, regardless of background, identity, or lived experience, has the opportunity, resources, and community to thrive.

Thank you for your consideration and your partnership in this important work.