#United States #Stanford #Carnegie Foundation #Champlain College #Alex Hernandez

In a significant move aimed at enhancing the landscape of higher education, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has welcomed Alex Hernandez, the President of Champlain College, to its Board of Trustees. Announced on August 21, 2025, this appointment underscores the foundation's commitment to aligning educational opportunities with workforce demands and evolving student aspirations. Diane Tavenner, Chair of the Board of Trustees, noted, 'Alex understands that the future of education is not just about access, but alignment - of student aspirations, workforce demands, and opportunity.' Hernandez, who hails from a family of public educators, is a stalwart advocate for utilizing education as a tool for broadening opportunities. Under his leadership, Champlain College has solidified its role as a crucial economic contributor in Vermont by offering career-oriented programs that prepare students for meaningful employment. Impressively, over 80% of Champlain's graduates find employment directly related to their field of study. Timothy F.C. Knowles, the President of the Carnegie Foundation, expressed confidence in Hernández's pragmatic approach, stating, 'At a moment when higher education must evolve to meet the demands of today's learners and tomorrow's economy, Alex brings the kind of bold, pragmatic leadership we need.' Before his tenure at Champlain College, Hernandez held influential roles at the University of Virginia as Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies and Vice Provost of Online Learning. His initiatives included the launch of the institution's first Master's degree programs and the introduction of blended learning approaches to augment student skills with digital competencies. Moreover, his previous experience includes leadership in facilitating personalized and career-ready learning in K12 settings through the Charter School Growth Fund, a major national organization focused on education innovation. Hernandez began his career cheering for education as a math teacher in South Los Angeles. He has also served in leadership roles at well-known educational institutions, such as Portland Public Schools and Aspire Public Schools. His experience extends to the private sector, with tenures at Steamboat Ventures and Disney's venture capital division, as well as J.P. Morgan. 'It's a tremendous honor to join Carnegie's board at such a pivotal moment for higher education,' Hernandez remarked. 'We know that education remains the most powerful pathway to opportunity, but only when it's designed to help students launch meaningful careers and build fulfilling lives. That's the transformation Carnegie seeks to accelerate, and I look forward to helping bring that vision to life.' The Carnegie Foundation, established by Congress in 1906, aims to facilitate transformational change in the educational sphere, ensuring every student has the opportunity to lead a dignified, healthy, and fulfilling life. Throughout its esteemed history, the Foundation has been responsible for significant initiatives, including the creation of the Education Testing Service and the GRE, alongside establishing Pell Grants and the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education. As Alex Hernandez takes on this crucial role, the hope is his leadership will bring forward innovative strategies that align education with the future of work, benefitting students and the greater society alike.