Gerardo de los Santos, Ph.D. was inducted into the 2022 American Association of Community College's Hall of Fame. He is a renowned leader in higher education attainment strategies. Gerardo recently accepted a position as vice president for Community College Relations at National University, a network of California-based nonprofit educational institutions focusing on a holistic approach to student success. Previously he was national director for community college partnerships at Western Governors University in Phoenix, co-director of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, and a senior fellow for Civitas Learning. For 17 years he was CEO of the League for Innovation in the Community College. He has served on the Community College Research Center National Advisory Board and the National Hispanic University Advisory Board.

An active academician, Gerardo was faculty in residence in Higher Education Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin, and professor of practice for the Community College Leadership Program at Kansas State University.

Authoring a wealth of publications and podcasts about higher education trends, strategies, key issues, and policies, Gerardo is a popular speaker at universities, nonprofits, and government entities. He was a panelist for the “Sustaining the Momentum for Innovation in Higher Education: Increasing Equity by Reducing Costs and Strengthening Quality” session at The White House Symposium on Innovation in Higher Education.

A key leader working with philanthropic and government agencies focused on increasing access and attainment, Gerardo’s consulting and project work includes the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wal-Mart Foundation, Trellis Foundation, United States Department of Labor, and Department of Education.

For a link to the full video of the ceremony, please visit MCC Hall of Fame 2022.