Jessica Cruz has been officially named executive director of Ferris State University’s
Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center and she is already hard at work.
Cruz, who co-founded the Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center in 2012, previously served as the associate director of the Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center. As executive director, Cruz has a larger role in the decision-making process for the office and plans to do more long-term strategic planning. She will assemble a team under her to provide help and support students.
“The heart of our work is connecting with the community,” said Cruz, who started the Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center with Social Sciences faculty member Tony Baker, the founding executive director. “We work with students from all education levels – not just those in college – to educate them, connect them with the community and prepare them for higher education.”
The mission of the Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center is to support students in getting to and through college by building on the strengths of students’ culture and identity. As the new executive director, a primary focus for Cruz is the expansion of the Promesa programs across various levels of the educational pipeline. Among her other goals, she plans to increase collaboration with the Spanish Club and the Hispanic Student Organization, prepare for Spanish Heritage Month, and continue to make stronger connections with the community.
“In the Hispanic/Latino Cultural Center, we find out what it is that makes our students who they are, and then we celebrate it,” said Cruz, who earned a Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University Teachers College in May 2013.