Dr. Susan Guzman-Trevino Dr. Susan Guzman-TrevinoDr. Susan Guzman-Trevino, vice president for academic affairs at Temple College, is one of 40 community college leaders from across the country selected for the 2020-21 class of the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, a highly selective program for community college leaders.

The Rising Presidents Fellows will embark on a 10-month fellowship beginning in July 2020. Delivered in collaboration with the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative, the fellows will be mentored by current and former community college presidents who have achieved exceptional outcomes for students throughout their careers. Participants will learn strategies to improve student outcomes in and after college, lead internal change, and create strong external partnerships with K-12 schools, four-year colleges, employers and other partners.

“Evidence shows that substantial improvements in student success are achieved only when presidents have the commitment and skill needed to lead change within their institutions and through partnerships in the community,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “These fellows have been chosen because they embody that commitment and, we believe, will build their skills even further to become transformational presidents.”

The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship responds to the growing need for a new generation of leaders who are well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future. Nationally, nearly 80 percent of sitting presidents plan to retire in the next decade.

Dr. Guzman-Trevino has been a member of the Temple College faculty since 1992. She served as director of the Liberal Arts Division from 2008 to 2018, when she was named vice president for academic affairs.

A graduate of Belton High School, Dr. Guzman-Trevino began her postsecondary studies at Temple College and earned a B.S. degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She holds an M.Ed. and a Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.

“This is an incredible professional development opportunity to participate in a learning community with community college colleagues from across the country,” Dr. Guzman-Trevino said. “Aspen provides some of the top curriculum in higher education built around student success. I look forwarding to representing Temple College and bringing back new an innovated practice to support our mission.”