Paradise Valley Community College’s Mario Marquez has been selected to participate in the second cohort of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program. Marquez, who works in PVCC’s Office of Strategic Partnerships as a Senior Development Officer, is one of fifty-four participants chosen from across the nation, and one of three from the Maricopa County Community College District.
“We are very proud of Mario for his excellent work in the community that benefits so many students. We have no doubt that he will continue to excel and that his participation in the Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program will yield valuable learning and lifelong connections,” said Dr. Brianna DeGeus, executive director for Strategic Partnerships at PVCC.
The Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program is a prestigious six-month initiative designed to increase Latino/a leadership in higher education, particularly at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The program offers mid-level college and university professionals the chance to develop their leadership skills and expand their influence within academia. Participants will engage in professional development in areas such as academic and student affairs management, regional accreditation, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and higher education advocacy.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me to grow as a leader and better serve PVCC and our diverse student population,” said Marquez. “I look forward to learning from national experts, leaders and peers, and bringing those insights back to strengthen our college and to the broader higher education community.”
The program will kick off in November 2024 at HACU’s Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado, and continue through sessions in April 2025 at the National Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C. The program will conclude with a graduation ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of the cohort and their commitment to enhancing leadership diversity in higher education.
Supported by Capital One and The Mellon Foundation, the Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program underscores HACU’s mission to cultivate Latino/a talent in leadership roles. Founded in 1986, HACU represents over 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, and Spain, and remains the only national organization dedicated to supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
For more information about the Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program, visit HACU’s website.