Dr. Jean Hernandez is a leadership coach for ATD and a guided pathways coach for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. In 2017 Dr. Hernandez retired from Edmonds Community College as president emeritus, having advanced and improved student success and completions through excellent educational programs and support resources. She is known as a student success champion who effectively engaged diverse groups in organizational change, using a systems approach and a culture of evidence to effect decision making.
Dr. Hernandez is strongly committed to removing barriers for students. She and her spouse created two Second Chance Scholarships at EdCC for students who have experienced homelessness or been formerly incarcerated. She was also instrumental in creating a partnership with the Washington Department of Corrections to fund a Next Steps Reentry program at the college to support the transition of formerly incarcerated women and men.
After her retirement, Dr. Hernandez was interim president at Pierce College Puyallup. She serves on various boards: Junior Achievement Washington, University of Colorado Denver — Graduate Education, and Western Governors University Washington.
Education
Ed.D. | University of Washington
M.Ed., B.S. | University of North Texas
Past Experience
President | Edmonds Community College
Vice President of Instruction | South Seattle College
Vice President of Student Learning | Cascadia College
How has education changed your life/your family?
As a first-generation student who went on to receive my doctorate, I have received so many rewards because of my educational accomplishments. To name a few: I became the first Latina, lesbian president of Edmonds Community College; in my 38 years in higher education, I helped transform the lives of 100,000+ students, in particular BIPOC students and their families; and I have enjoyed economic mobility that has been shared with my parents and siblings.