Dr. Christian Bello Escobar, academic and community engagement director for the University of North Georgia (UNG) College of Education (COE), was selected by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) for the second cohort of its Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program.
Bello Escobar applied and was recommended by Dr. Sheri Hardee, COE dean. Out of the 44 selected, he is one of two to be sponsored by Capital One receiving $4,000, which will cover the program costs and HACU conference registrations.
“Completing this leadership program aligns directly with my professional goals of advancing my leadership capabilities and contributing to all colleges and universities, including UNG, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs,” Bello Escobar said. “The program’s combination of face-to-face seminars, mentorship, and a transformative project component will enhance my ability to lead and implement innovative strategies that address issues such as access, affordability, retention, and graduation rates.”
UNG is a member of the HACU organization as of this year and is one of five USG institutions to do so. One of the moonshots unveiled by President Michael Shannon at Reveille in August was for UNG to become an HSI by 2030. By participating in the organization, Bello Escobar will actively be cultivating partnerships with external stakeholders to enhance student engagement.
The six-month program began with an orientation in September and will go on through a Capitol Forum Day in Washington, D.C., in April. The program will conclude with a graduation ceremony. While mostly online, the program is considered to be hybrid and Bello Escobar shared he’s looking forward to all the networking opportunities.
“Engaging with experienced higher education leaders will allow me to gain insights into strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership practices that drive long-term institutional success,” Bello Escobar said.
Bello Escobar shared he plans to also attend HACU’s annual conference in Aurora, Colorado in November.
HACU, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California, and Chicago, Illinois.
