Dr. Paul Hernandez is senior adviser to the president at ATD. Dr. Hernandez is a community college leader and practitioner and an Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow, serving most recently as vice president for academic and student affairs at Mount Wachusett Community College. Previously, he was chief diversity officer at Lansing Community College.
Dr. Hernandez is a nationally recognized leader in college access and success, community outreach, and pedagogy, a former faculty member and non-profit administrator. He was awarded the National Education Association Reg Weaver Human and Civil Rights Award, the Michigan Education Association Elizabeth Siddall Human Rights Award, the Equity in Education Award by the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and an Honors Professor of the Year Award for teaching. He is also the author of the book The Pedagogy of Real Talk: Engaging, Teaching and Connecting Students At-Promise.
Prior to earning his post-secondary degrees, Dr. Hernandez was engulfed in gang culture and deep poverty, surviving on the streets of Los Angeles. He openly shares his powerful personal story hoping to influence and empower young people traveling a similar path.
Education
Ph.D. (Sociology) | Michigan State University
B.A. | California State University
A.A. | Los Angeles Community College
Past Experience
Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs | Mount Wachusett Community College
Chief Diversity Officer | Lansing Community College