Aldana-Ramirez Receives Hispanic Educator Association Award

Mona Aldana-Ramirez, Director of Student Success for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Excellence at San Antonio College, has received national recognition by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE). She was honored with the 2020 Community College Award at the annual AAHHE conference held in March.

The Community College Award, according to AAHHE, “recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence in advocacy, teaching or leadership and has provided significant contributions to the community college enterprise.”

“Mona is a prime example of the greatness produced by community colleges,” said Loui Olivas, president of AAHHE. “Her nominators described her as a fearless leader and advocate who has demonstrated unwavering commitment to her community.” 

As a director of Student Services, Aldana-Ramirez, has been in charge of several programs at SAC including the San Antonio College Men Empowerment Network (SACMEN), a program with a mission to improve educational outcomes of African American and Latino males through mentoring and fostering leadership opportunities. Recently SACMEN earned the Outstanding Male Student Program Award in Texas.

In addition, she has demonstrated leadership in numerous programs and initiatives in service to the college and community. These include TheDream.US Scholarship Program, Honors Academy, Student Success Community Partnerships, Ascender Program, Student Ambassadors, and Foundations of Excellence. Aldana-Ramirez has represented the college in citywide committees and state level advisory boards.

She currently leads the college’s strategic equity plan to develop an equity mindset throughout the institution.

During her 23-year career as an educator, Aldana-Ramirez has garnered numerous awards involving service, speaking and leadership and served as a fellow for the National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC). She is an advocate for mentoring and considers this a big reward. She mentors numerous college students and has mentored an emerging leader in the NCCHC Fellows program as well as volunteered as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

She has been a member of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE), Texas Education Consortium for Male Students of Color (TECMSC), and the National Minority Male Community College Collaborative (M2C3). She has also served on local committees to improve outcomes for San Antonio youth.

Aldana-Ramirez received an associate degree in liberal arts from San Antonio College, a bachelor of arts in biology from St. Mary’s University, and a master’s in natural and applied sciences from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. 

The AAHHE, entering its fifteenth year, continues to address issues and concerns affecting Hispanics, with a focus on higher education. To celebrate and recognize the work of Hispanics in higher education and national leaders, the AAHHE Awards Program was created to honor deserving individuals each year at the national conference.

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