FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY®

Gary Santos Mendoza - Ph.D. Candidate in Higher Education Leadership

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by Dr. Cristobal Salinas | Monday, Mar 25, 2024

Gary Santos Mendoza
Ph.D. Candidate in Higher Education Leadership
ACPA Diamond Honoree, Class of 2024

https://foundation.myacpa.org/diamond-honoree/honorees/

Gary Santos Mendoza (he/him) is a scholar-practitioner in Higher Education with affinity to Student Affairs for over ten years. Thanks to his Mami, Papi, brother, sisters, madrina Tere, tias, tios, cousins, nieces, nephew, and grandnephew, Gary learned to love through his Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican upbringing. His chosen family taught him the importance of hard work. His Harlem roots and experiential learning on West 108th Street got him through the New York City Public School System to attend St. John’s University as a first-generation college student. His Queer Latino identity empowered his passion and resilience to fall in love with Higher Education; the rest is history.

Gary received his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Graphic Design from St. John’s University and his Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University. Gary is a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University.

Gary’s career has included functional areas in diversity, equity and inclusion, student life, leadership education, community engagement, LGBTQ services, and Greek life. He also serves as Adjunct Faculty teaching Social Justice and leadership education topics. Gary’s written works include “Queer Latinx…Yep, we’re here.” & “Coping with Mental Health Concerns amid COVID-19”, in DIVERSE: Issues in Higher Education. Other works include co-editor for his upcoming book Heart Work: The Handbook on the Surviving and Thriving of Cultural/Identity Centers in Higher Education and co-written multiple chapters about topics in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in higher education. He proudly serves as Co-Chair for the Latinx Network for ACPA-College Student Educators International. Gary credits his career to his experiences at St. John’s University, Florida International University-Biscayne Bay Campus, Illinois Institute of Technology, Florida Atlantic University-Broward Campus, Rutgers University-Newark, and Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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