Chancellor Dr. Carlos O. Turner Cortez receives 2022 Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award.
“Throughout his career as a teacher, principal, and higher education administrator, Carlos Cortez has been committed to equity, inclusion, and social justice,” said Dr. Ted Mitchell, president of ACE. “Working primarily with underserved, ethnically diverse student populations from low-income communities, he is a passionate leader and advocate for urban education reform.”
Cortez is responsible for the creation of the only Promise program in California for low-income adult students, providing a free pathway to college. He has helped the San Diego Gateway to College and Career connect with students who have been involved in the justice system, who are homeless, former foster youth, or are disabled.
Cortez said he was deeply honored to receive the award.
“My father was a factory worker and union member who moved to Connecticut from Puerto Rico. My mother was a teacher of special education,” said Cortez. “Both emphasized the importance of education and giving back to our community.”
