OLLU’s Academic Dean Candace Zepeda, PhD, and Professor of History Valerie Martinez, PhD, have been selected for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program. In its second cohort, the Enlace Program will welcome 54 participants from across the nation.

The six-month leadership development program for mid-level college and university professionals is designed to increase the number, variety, and quality of Latino/a talent in leadership positions at Hispanic-Serving Institutions and in higher education overall. Selectees will participate in programming covering academic and student affairs management, regional institutional accreditation, diversity, equity and inclusion, and higher education advocacy issues. Participants will also interact with a professional search firm.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for OLLU to participate in quality leadership training that will impact our students and our entire community,” said President Abel A. Chávez, MBA, PhD. “I greatly appreciate Dr. Zepeda and Dr. Martinez for stepping up and taking on this program.”

The sessions will be delivered through a series of online meetings and also in person sessions that will take place in November 2024 at HACU’s Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado, and at the National Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C., in April 2025. The program will conclude with a graduation ceremony.

Both Dr. Zepeda and Dr. Martinez are being supported by a Mellon Foundation grant for their participation in the program.