HACU announces Ascend PreK–12 Leadership Program’s inaugural cohort

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has announced the Ascend PreK-12 Leadership Program's inaugural cohort. Forty-four educators were selected for the cohort based on demonstrated leadership excellence, professional impact, and commitment to advancing equitable, high-quality education for students and communities nationwide.

Ascend is a fully online leadership development program designed for PreK-12 educators and emerging leaders seeking to strengthen their leadership capacity and sustain their impact in an increasingly complex education landscape. HACU provided scholarship support for this pilot cohort, reinforcing the Association's commitment to building sustainable leadership across PreK-12 education.

The program runs from January through May 2026, delivered through live, online sessions. Participants engage in interactive learning focused on resilient leadership, team culture, education policy and compliance, family and community partnership, cross-sector collaboration, and funding innovation. Participants who complete the program earn a Certificate of Completion and 16 continuing education units (CEUs).

Among the selectees are:

• Ada Ascencio, Grieco Englewood School, New Jersey
• Sr. Bincy Antony, St. Charles Catholic School, Arizona
• Jerry Benavidez, Ki Charter San Marcos, Texas
• Alisia Bonilla, James J. Ferris High School, New Jersey
• Mariah Carroll, Malberg Early Childhood Center, New Jersey
• Angela Clayton, Ki Charter San Marcos, Texas
• Amanda Clere, Healy Murphy Center, Texas
• Carolina De Anda, Carmen Anaya Elementary, Texas
• Kelley Dion, Chamberlain Elementary School, Massachusetts
• Bianca Gonzalez, Peoria Elementary School District, Arizona
• Omar Gonzalez, Salem Academy Charter School, Massachusetts
• Liz Gonzalez, Maryvale Gifted and Talented Academy, Arizona
• Lizabeth Garza-Garcia, Ed.D.
• Sofia Grant-Dewitt, Ed.D., Gaithersburg Middle School, Maryland
• Loretta Guido, Ki Charter School Kingwood, Texas
• Maribel Joven, McManus Middle School, New Jersey
• Ashley Lafreniere, Chamberlain Elementary School, Massachusetts
• Marisol Menchaca, Healy Murphy Center, Texas
• Miguel Mendoza, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas
• Andrea Medrano, Hart Middle School, California
• Rolf Metral, Gaithersburg High School, Maryland
• Desiree Monges, Galveston ISD, Texas
• Anabel Morales, Barrington Community Unit 220 School District, Illinois
• Margarita Munoz, Georgia Department of Education, Georgia
• Theresa Nahrwold, Ogdensburg Elementary School, New Jersey
• Daberechi Okafor, Ph.D., Houston Elementary, Texas
• Ricardo Pacheco, Ed.D., SUNY Dutchess Community College, New York
• Meghan Ramon, Ki Charter San Antonio, Texas
• Alicia Reed, Fox Chapel Elementary, Maryland
• Kara Reeves, Ki Charter, Texas
• Victoria Rivas, Center for Social Dynamics, California
• Amanda Rangel, Healy Murphy Center, Texas
• Malia Robbins, Columbia Academy of Maple Lawn, Maryland
• Patricia Ramirez- Biondolillo, Ed.D., University of Texas Rio Grande Valley,Texas
• Ana Ramirez, Communities in Schools Dallas, Texas
• Luis Sanchez, Esperanza College Prep, California
• Janina Santiago, Birch Meadow Elementary, Massachusetts
• Jason Strickler, Thinking Academy, California
• Jesus Sepúlveda Borrero, Learningbp, Puerto Rico
• Renee Travers, Nogales High School, Arizona
• Fidel Trujillo, Ph.D., Mora Independent School District, New Mexico
• Renee Vigil, Lumos Arts Academy, Arizona