Deborah Santiago

Professional Summary

Professional Overview
Deborah Santiago is the CEO and Co-Founder of Excelencia in Education, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating Latino student success in higher education. With over 20 years of experience in education policy, research, and advocacy, Deborah is a recognized expert in promoting equity and increasing college completion rates among Hispanic students.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As CEO and Co-Founder of Excelencia in Education, Deborah oversees the organization's strategic direction, program development, and stakeholder engagement. Under her leadership, Excelencia in Education has become a trusted voice in the higher education landscape, influencing national policies and initiatives aimed at improving educational outcomes for Latino students. Deborah has spearheaded groundbreaking research, innovative programs, and collaborative partnerships that have driven measurable improvements in Latino college enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates.

Career Progression
Prior to founding Excelencia in Education, Deborah held several influential roles in the education sector, including serving as an Irvine Fellow at the Center on Educational Governance at the University of Southern California, Vice President of Data and Policy Analysis at the Los Angeles County Alliance for Student Achievement, and Deputy Director at the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. She also worked as a Program Analyst in the Office of Postsecondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education, where she contributed to the development and implementation of federal education policies and programs.

Academic Background
Deborah holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she specialized in education policy and analysis. Her academic achievements and research have been recognized through numerous awards and fellowships, highlighting her commitment to advancing educational equity and opportunity.

Areas of Expertise

• Higher education policy and research

• Latino student success and college completion

• Data-driven decision making and program evaluation

• Nonprofit leadership and organizational development

• Collaborative partnerships and stakeholder engagement

Professional Impact
Under Deborah's leadership, Excelencia in Education has become a national leader in promoting Latino student success in higher education. The organization's research, programs, and advocacy efforts have significantly contributed to increasing college enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates among Hispanic students. Deborah has been instrumental in shaping national policies and initiatives that address the unique challenges faced by Latino learners, driving measurable improvements in educational outcomes and strengthening the pipeline of Latino college graduates.

Conclusion
Deborah Santiago's extensive experience, expertise, and commitment to educational equity position her as a respected and influential leader in the higher education sector. Through her visionary leadership and innovative approach, she continues to drive positive change and create meaningful opportunities for Latino students to succeed and thrive.