The GW Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute named a director and senior fellow for the institute this week, according to a University release Wednesday.
Elizabeth Vaquera, who was an associate professor of sociology at the University of South Florida, will serve as institute’s director. Louis Caldera, the former president of the University of New Mexico and secretary of the Army, will be the institute’s first senior fellow.
Vaquera succeeds David Martinez, who served as interim director since the institute was founded last year and who will remain an associate director.
Vaquera, who received her doctorate in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania, said although she received a degree from an Ivy League school, she understands the struggles that first-generation students and immigrants face: She was a first-generation student who learned English as a second language.
“A professor who mentored me through college changed my life, and I am committed to continuing to pay it forward and reducing inequalities through education by helping Hispanic youth succeed and become leaders in their chosen careers,” Vaquera said in the release.
Caldera, whose family immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico, said in the release that he has been committed to “broadening Hispanic participation in meaningful and lasting ways” throughout his career in education and public service.
“At the institute, I look forward to doing what I can to cultivate a new generation of students and leaders who will be among those shaping the social, political and economic landscape of our country in the coming years,” Caldera said in the release.
The Cisneros Institute was established last year through a $7 million dollar gift from alumnus Gilbert Cisneros and his wife Jacki Cisneros. The institute hosts pre-college programs for high school juniors and seniors. At least $250,000 of the funds go toward renewable scholarships.
Ben Vinson, the dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, said in the release that he is “thrilled” by the appointments.
“Both bring to their roles exemplary records of scholarship, mentorship and public service, as well as firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing first-generation immigrants,” Vinson said.
