MESA, Arizona -- Sept. 8, 2021 – Mesa Community College Senior Associate Vice President, Nora Amavisca Reyes, Ed.D. is selected as one of 25 to participate in the third cohort of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. The program is designed to increase diverse representation in executive and senior-level positions in higher education.
“I am proud to represent Mesa Community College in this prestigious and significant growth opportunity. As a first-generation college student from an immigrant Mexican family, I recognize the need for strong Latina leaders and role models, particularly as our nation’s demographics continue to shift,” said Amavisca Reyes. “The percentage of students reporting as being Hispanic has steadily risen for the past several years. Currently more than 30% of our student population are Hispanic/Latinx. Through participation in this fellowship I hope to more strongly contribute to our mission of creating an inclusive and vibrant learning community where everyone is supported to achieve success.”
The Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo seeks to increase the number of talented individuals who aspire to leadership positions at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs. Fellows participate in an array of leadership development activities to prepare them for leadership roles in the full spectrum of institutions of higher learning with an emphasis on HSIs and Emerging HSIs.
The one-year fellowship program includes three seminars with the first taking place in Oct. 2021, in conjunction with HACU’s Annual Conference, "35 Years of Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success." The second seminar will lead into HACU’s Annual Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education in April 2022. The third seminar will be held in late spring or early summer of 2022, with a focus on international collaboration.
More than a dozen nationally recognized current and emeriti presidents and senior-level administrators serve as mentors to Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo fellows. Mentorship with a university president is a key component, as well as the development of a special project designed to have an impact at the Fellow’s current institution.
More information about the HACU Leadership Academy/ La Academia de Liderazgo is available here.
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Media contacts:
HACU: Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia: 210-576-3206, njgarcia@hacu.net, or Christopher de Hoyos: 210-576-3242, chris.dehoyos@hacu.net
MCC: Dawn Zimmer: 480-461-7892, 602-471-5343, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. The mission of HACU is to Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California. More information is available at www.hacu.net.
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses, additional locations and a combination of online formats. Through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, MCC is transforming how it champions student success, college completion, university transfer and career attainment and advancement. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution and nearly 50% of its students are the first in their families to attend college. Its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized tribes of Arizona as well as out-of-state tribes. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The diverse student body includes more than 300 international students from 55 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to successfully transfer to a university or compete in the workforce. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) -- hlcommission.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.