麻豆传媒映画

Two 麻豆传媒映画 educators who exemplify the continuing importance of quality and equity at Hispanic-Serving Institutions have been selected for a national organization's leadership training program.

Felisha Herrera Villarreal, director of a research center in the , and Emilio Ulloa, associate chief diversity officer for , were selected as by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in January. They will take part in an immersive, six-month experience that includes coaching, research-informed strategies and mentorship from nationally-recognized leaders.

Here is a look at each of the new fellows:

Focusing on STEM

Felisha Herrera Villarreal is seemingly in a state of constant motion. 

Whether it鈥檚 leading her research center, taking on federally funded projects or supporting faculty as an 麻豆传媒映画 Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) fellow, the professor of postsecondary education and community college leadership never shies away from an opportunity to make a difference in higher education.

Her selection by AAC&U 鈥渕arks a culminating point in my career, emerging from deep reflection on how our work can have greater impact,鈥� Herrera Villarreal said. 鈥淎AC&U has been a national leader in advancing educational excellence and scaling up high-impact practices. It鈥檚 one of the most respected preparation pathways for emerging leaders, so I鈥檓 really excited for this opportunity.鈥�

Significantly, she was selected as part of a specialized track offering additional curriculum focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) faculty at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), which includes full funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

鈥淭hat鈥檚 been the focus area of my work for over two decades,鈥� Herrera Villarreal said. 鈥淭hat funding from the National Science Foundation is through the HSI Hub, which is looking at bringing together HSI STEM work for institutions across the country. This work highlights HSIs as engines for advancing economic mobility and contributing to national priorities for global leadership in STEM.鈥�

At 麻豆传媒映画, Herrera Villarreal is founding director of , a center that examines P-20 educational trajectories and the contexts that engage and support students. She also recently broadened her campuswide role as a fellow for faculty programs with DRI. 

She also has spearheaded several NSF-funded research projects. Since 2022, she has been part of the NSF INCLUDES Alliance, working to accelerate experiential learning in STEM education. 

Herrera Villarreal, who recently participated in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities鈥� (HACU) Leadership Academy, is hoping her latest experience as New Leadership Academy Fellow will ultimately pay dividends for her home campus.

鈥淚 think there are a lot of ways that people are being innovative and coming together across the nation to think about how we continue to support faculty and uplift them in these challenging times,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hope this opportunity allows me to bring some of that work here to San Diego State as we continue to build our research capacity in alignment with our status as a Research 1 university that is committed and connected to the region鈥檚 innovation and economic priorities 鈥� as well as to the communities that we serve.鈥�

Supporting students and community

Emilio Ulloa is associate chief diversity officer for Minority Serving Institution Affairs in the and a psychology professor in the at 麻豆传媒映画.

鈥淚'm grateful for the nomination and for ultimately being selected because I believe my participation represents a great opportunity to learn and refine leadership skills that will help me to have a focused and greater impact on my students, my community, and my institution,鈥� Ulloa said. 鈥淧ersonally, this fellowship feels like both an honor and an opportunity. I'm excited to get to work.鈥�

Ulloa joined thefaculty in 2003 and has served as the Director of Psychology Advising, the director of the Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs Office; College of Sciences director for advising and the associate dean of students and campus climate. 

In his current position, he鈥檚 the campus point of contact in 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 efforts to create a welcoming and culturally affirming environment that serves Latinx students, faculty and staff and created the Office of HSI Affairs, the Campus HSI Advisory Committee and the HSI Student Advisory Board. 

His academic work includes over 92 scholarly or conference presentations, and 75 publications, including 37 peer reviewed journal articles on relationship/sexual violence among adolescents, and young adults with an emphasis on Latinx populations, and student success for college students from diverse backgrounds.