Gerardo de los Santos

Dr. Gerardo E. de los Santos is Director for Community College Partnerships, Western Governors University. Prior to joining Western Governors University, de los Santos was Senior fellow, Civitas Learning. De los Santos also serves as a Faculty in Residence, Executive Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, University of Texas at Austin, as well as Professor of Practice/Major Professor, Community College Leadership Program, College of Education, Kansas State University.

Prior to joining Civitas Learning, de los Santos served The League for Innovation in the Community College for nearly 17 years, presiding as President and CEO. The League is an international organization dedicated to catalyzing the community college movement and inspiring innovative change.

He has served on numerous national advisory boards including the Community College Research Center National Advisory Board; Education Testing Service National Advisory Board; National Hispanic University Advisory Board; Community College Survey of Student Engagement National Advisory Board; the National American University Advisory Board, and the Civitas Learning National Advisory Board, and Change Magazine, Editorial Board.

De los Santos is a thought leader, speaker, and writer in higher education and has authored over 50 publications, most recently including Covid-19 Shines a Bright Light on the Digital Divide, Change Magazine.He has represented community colleges at the White House via Summits and Symposia focusing on innovation, leadership, and student success on multiple occasions. He is the recipient numerous awards including the prestigious ETS O’Banion Prize in Education for his significant contributions to teaching and learning, the American Association of Community Colleges Recognition Award for Visionary Leadership, and the International Leadership Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. 

De los Santos earned an AA degree from Mesa Community College in Arizona, a BA from the University of California at Berkeley, a Masters in English from Arizona State University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.