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The Central Valley Higher
Education Consortium has named Cheri Cruz as executive director. CVHEC
is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting a college-going culture
in the Valley.
Cruz succeeds Allen Carden who helped launch the CVHEC in 2000 and
successfully headed the organization until he returned to teaching
earlier this year.
Also, in an effort to be more accessible to the public, the consortium
moved its office to the UC Merced Center in Fresno, which is located on
Shaw Avenue across the street from Fashion Fair Mall.
Born and raised in Fresno, Cruz is a first-generation college student
who has dedicated her professional career to helping young people
achieve their educational goals. She is well acquainted with the work of
the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium after having served as
its associate director, reporting to Carden, from 2001 to 2005.
“Cheri’s experiences both personally and professionally make her the
right fit for the job, “ said Frank Gornick, president of the CVHEC and
chancellor of West Hills Community College District. “She has the
energy, creativity and enthusiasm to help move the consortium into the
future.”
Cruz graduated from McLane High School. She attended Fresno City College
and transferred to California State University, Fresno where she earned
a bachelor’s in English literature and a master’s in education
counseling and student services. In addition to her position as
executive director of the CVHEC, she is an adjunct professor at Fresno
Pacific University.
“Our job is to show young people that college is an option,” said Cruz.
“College graduates earn more, learn more and generally have more choices
in life.”
“We must encourage all kids to dream big,” she added. “The end result
pays dividends to the students and to our community.”
One of Cruz’s goals for the consortium is to make college-going
information more readily available to students and parents who
traditionally do not have access to it.
Most recently, Cruz was a consultant with an educational consulting firm
in Fresno where she developed programs and conducted program evaluations
for K-12 and higher education institutions. Previously, she was director
of extension and travel study programs at Fresno State. She also served
as academic program coordinator for the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for
Medical Education and Research. Prior to that she was a program
coordinator with Extended Opportunities Programs and Services at West
Hills Community College District.
For more information, 559.292.0576 or visit:
www.CollegeNext.org.
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