Dr. Kathaleen Acosta
Media Contact: Cherie Yurco;
cmyurco@dcccd.edu
For immediate release — August 17, 2022
(DALLAS) — Dr. Kathaleen Acosta, Dallas College senior director for workforce advancement and development, and Dr. Carlos Cruz, dean of Dallas College’s Student Care Network, were selected to the fourth cohort of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo this fall.
The one-year fellowship program prepares senior higher education administrators at colleges and universities nationwide for leadership roles at Hispanic-serving institutions. The program includes an orientation webinar next month, with the first of three seminars beginning in October, in conjunction with HACU’s annual conference. The second seminar will be at HACU’s National Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C., in April 2023, and the third, an international seminar, will take place in spring or summer 2023.
Dr. Acosta has over 25 years of experience with K-12 and post-secondary education. Throughout her career, she has held several positions that have allowed her to lead programs and initiatives that provide college access to members of typically underserved neighborhoods. Dr. Acosta is committed to providing opportunities and resources through community engagement and partnership development. She holds a Doctor of Education in community college leadership from National American University, a Master of Education in educational leadership and administration and a Bachelor of Science from Dallas Baptist University.
“Dallas College has been a part of my life since I was 20 years old,” said Dr. Acosta. “At that time, they invested in me as a student and graduate of our Mountain View Campus. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Dallas College has consistently invested in me as a professional, as well. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a HACU fellow, and to enhance my leadership skills by learning from nationally distinguished faculty and administrators. Gracias, Dallas College!”
Dr. Carlos Cruz
Dr. Cruz has over 14 years of leadership and management experience in student affairs, learning development, grant programs, operational goals and strategic planning. He oversees counseling, health services and basic needs at Dallas College. Dr. Cruz facilitates partnerships between Dallas College, four-year institutions, employers, nonprofit organizations and community partners. He serves on the board of directors for JOVEN, a nonprofit organization catered to helping at-risk youth on the south side of Bexar County, and is active in numerous civic and charitable organizations. He holds a Doctor of Education in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California, a Master of Education in educational leadership from Southern Methodist University, and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of Texas at Austin.
“I am excited about this incredible professional development opportunity with HACU. I am thankful to the Dallas College leadership for nominating me as a candidate. I look forward to the experience of learning and growing from skilled and successful Latino leaders in higher education,” said Dr. Cruz.
The Leadership Academy faculty consist of current and former presidents, chancellors and senior administrators who bring over 100 years of combined experience in serving various sectors of higher education.
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About Dallas College
Dallas College, formerly Dallas County Community College District, was founded in 1965 and consists of seven campuses: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland. Dallas College offers online learning and serves more than 125,000 credit and continuing education students during the fall and spring semesters. Dallas College also offers dual credit for students in partner high schools and early college high schools throughout Dallas County. Students benefit from partnerships with local business leaders, school districts and four-year universities, and Dallas College offers associate degree and career/technical certificate programs in more than 100 areas of study, as well as a bachelor’s degree in education. Based on annual enrollment, it is the largest community college in Texas.
About HACU
The
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America and Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, Calif.