Mona Aldana-Ramirez Serving as Fellow in New Leadership Academy

Mona Aldana-Ramírez, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence, has been serving as a 2021-2022 Fellow in the New Leadership Academy (NLA), a partnership between the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) and the University of Utah.

In addition, her collaborative research project was published as a co-authored article in the Journal of Latinos and Education.

Acceptance to this prestigious fellowship program begins with a nomination and follows with an invitation to apply. Fellows are selected based on demonstrated experience within the field of diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. 

“Being nominated is the award itself!” said Aldana-Ramírez, “I am humbled to know that our DEI efforts at SAC resonate outside our institution. But SAC is also known as a trailblazer when it comes to innovation, so accepting the nomination allows the chance to ‘level-up’ on our DEI work. I am privileged to help lead our college in this equity journey.”

The New Leadership Academy (NLA) Fellows Program changes the expectations that surround leaders, leadership, and leadership development across higher education. The fellowship recognizes that the demographic, democratic, and discursive foundations on which modern higher education has been built are changing. As an NLA fellow, Aldana-Ramírez has access to leadership and DEI resources as well as vibrant network of alumni and mentors. During 2021-2022, Aldana-Ramírez participated in leadership development and will attend intensive five-day summer institute held at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.

“I am an advocate of aligning research and practice so that we better serve the needs of our community,” says Aldana-Ramírez. Her latest research, “Latinx Community College Students and the (In)Opportunities Brought by COVID-19 Pandemic,” documents the struggles faced by students and how higher education institutions can transform into a college for the community. 

A graduate of San Antonio College, Aldana-Ramírez has been implementing, assisting, and developing programs such as Teacher Certification, Student Ambassadors, SACMEN, DACA/Dreamer, Honors Academy, Ascender, Student Success Community Partnerships for the past 20 years and has spearheaded numerous initiatives and grants. In 2020, she received the Community College Service Award from AAHHE. 

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