NCLR Staffer Tapped to Join Cutting-edge Leadership Program

We’re not the only ones who think NCLR staffers are the best and the brightest!  NCLR is proud to announce that Dr. Feliza Ortiz-Licon, NCLR Director of Education for California and Far West Regions, was selected for the 2013-2014 Latina Global Executive Leadership program at the University of Southern California’s (USC) Marshall School of Business.

Academy officials select accomplished Latina executives from an impressive pool of applicants each year to participate in the intensive, innovative 11-month program designed to help Latina professionals further develop leadership skills and prepare to become organization leaders.  In this program, they will address leadership principles, values and ethical boundaries, and discuss how to optimize leadership effectiveness, build support teams and lead an integrated life. 

“I was motivated to apply to the institute because I have a deep desire to grow as an authentic leader and to apply the leadership skills and knowledge I will gain to my work at NCLR,” said Ortiz-Licon.

Feliza’s expertise is in school leadership, education reform, college access, urban schooling and cultural competency in schools.  In her current role with NCLR, she works closely with NCLR’s network of schools serving Hispanic students and directs the National Institute for Latino School Leaders (NILSL).  NILSL was founded in 2011 by NCLR in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; it is the only institute that trains school administrators to advocate for national and state-level policies that help strengthen the education of Latino students and English-language learners.

“NCLR is so proud that our own Feliza Ortiz-Licon was selected for this prestigious leadership academy.  I’m glad Feliza is being recognized as the leader she is in California – she is greatly deserving of this honor,” said Margaret R. McLeod, Deputy Vice President, Education and Workforce Development, NCLR.

Previously, Feliza served in education leadership roles at the Fulfillment Fund and the Los Angeles Unified School District, as an elementary school teacher for the Long Beach Unified School District, and in urban planning research in California.  She holds a doctoral degree in education from the University of California, Irvine; a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the University of California, Berkeley; and a bachelor’s degree in political science with a specialization in Chicana/o studies from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Congratulations to Feliza, an outstanding leader at NCLR who does so much to help Hispanic students and increase their opportunities for academic success!