Two Laredo College leaders have been selected to participate in a leadership development program designed to provide mid-level community college faculty and staff with the critical skills and knowledge to improve student outcomes.
LC Associate Vice President of Student Success and Support Services Andrea Lopez and Dean of Workforce Education Heriberto Hernandez were chosen to be part of the first cohort of the Texas Success Center’s Leadership Academy for Student Success.
The Texas Success Center supports Texas community colleges in their efforts to improve student success and direct Texas Pathways–a statewide strategy focused on building capacity for community colleges to design and implement structured academic and career pathways at scale for all students.
Texas is joining New York and Michigan in this project and will lead two cohorts of mid-level practitioners through the year-long curriculum. The first cohort of the Texas Leadership Academy for Student Success is comprised of 40 faculty and staff from 22 community colleges.
Lopez feels honored to have been selected to participate in the academy and looks forward to learning and making long-lasting connections with other professionals in higher education across the state.
“The Leadership Academy is meant to prepare higher education leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead with a student-centered focus and build a ‘Talent Strong Texas.’ Some of the sessions that I am most excited about are ‘The Student Experience’ and ‘Keeping Students End Goals in Mind’ because they will focus on how to improve teaching and learning, career and transfer services and advising. What we learn, we will be able to put into practice at the college,” she said.
Similarly, Hernandez said he is excited to be a part of this academy, noting that the Texas Success Center is at the forefront of statewide initiatives to improve student success. The strategies and resources gathered can be implemented in Laredo College to maintain and enhance student success across all areas.
“It’s a privilege to represent Laredo College in this first cohort of the Leadership Academy for student success. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Laredo College,” Hernandez said. “I look forward to working with my counterparts across the state, developing relationships and learning different strategies that will advance the success of students in Laredo College and our community.”
Nationally, community colleges often struggle to attract and retain the talented leaders they need to implement evidence-based reforms that help more students succeed. This project, which is made possible by generous funding from the Ascendium Education Group, the ECMC Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation, aims to address this challenge by strengthening the pipeline of leaders within colleges.
“The Texas Leadership Academy is a crucial investment in the future of Texas as it prepares community college leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to enhance student success and support workforce development across the state,” said Dr. Cynthia Ferrell, Executive Director of the Texas Success Center. “We appreciate the philanthropic support from our education partners at Ascendium, ECMC and the Kresge Foundation for developing a program that will pay dividends for generations to come.”
