Dr. Robert Vela, president of San Antonio College, recently began a two-year term as president of the National Community Colleges Hispanic Council (NCCHC), an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), that works to advance Latinx leaders in higher education. Dr. Vela assumes the role of president after previously serving two years as president-elect, two years as secretary and another two years as a board member.
“I have been involved with NCCHC since 2008, and it has had a transformational experience on my journey to becoming a college president,” Dr. Vela said. “My goal during my presidency is to continue to grow the organization to help more Latinx leaders across the country.”
Established in 1985, NCCHC is the nation’s premier organization for preparation and support of Latinx leaders in America’s community colleges. The organization is committed to delivering high-quality leadership development experiences, including the Leadership Fellows Program (LFP).
Led by Dr. Ted Martinez, a former superintendent/president of Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier, California, the LFP brings 20 to 25 Latinx leaders together from every corner of the country. Of the original 72 Fellows who began the program more than 30 years ago, nearly 20 have become community college presidents and many are in upper administration. In total, 250 have participated in the program.
A graduate of the LFP program in 2008, Dr. Vela is a strong advocate of the organization’s mission and has sponsored 10 San Antonio College staff members to become Fellows.
“The LFP is our most successful initiative,” Dr. Vela said. “The Fellows who complete the program form a strong network with their cohorts, build mentoring relationships with other Latinx leaders and engage in collegial dialogue about important issues affecting the Hispanic community.”
About President Vela
A native of Alice, Texas, Dr. Robert Vela is the 12th president of San Antonio College (SAC), the largest college within the Alamo Colleges District. He has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and previously worked at San Jacinto College – North Campus as the dean of Student Development before relocating to San Antonio College. Dr. Vela holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, an M.S. in Counseling and Guidance, and a B.A. in Psychology from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He grew up in a dual language household in Alice, Texas, and currently resides in New Braunfels with his loving wife and their three daughters. •
