President of The National Hispanic University (NHU) (San Jose, CA) - On June 30th Silicon Valley's most influential Latino leaders were announced at a Red Carpet Gala. A community-wide selection committee selected ten leaders in various categories from a list of 100 nominees. In the category of Education, the President of The National Hispanic University (NHU), Dr. David P. Lopez, was selected as the most influential Latino Educator in the Silicon Valley.

“I am pleased that my contributions have been recognized by the Latino community of Silicon Valley. I’m very honored and appreciative of this award. I hope my work and educational advocacy continues to capture the imagination and support of the community because bold and innovative efforts like NHU must be supported if we are to address the Latino educational crisis in this state” said NHU President Dr. David Lopez.

The other honorees at the MACSA (Mexican American Community Service Agency) sponsored event were: El Teatro Campesino's Luis Valdez for arts and culture; KLA-Tencor executive Jorge Titinger for business; Cesar Chavez for Legacy Award; Center for Employment Training's Hermelinda Sapien for community and philanthropy; Santa Clara County Supervisor Blanca Alvarado for government; Josue Garcia of the Santa Clara and San Benito Counties Building and Construction Trades Council for labor; Judge Katherine Lucero for law and public safety; KRON news anchor Ysabel Duron for media, and Advanced Micro Devices CEO Hector Ruiz for technology, health and science.

Dr. David P. Lopez has served as President of The National Hispanic University since 2003. His involvement as a former Trustee of the University and thirty plus years experience in education gives him the extensive and in depth knowledge and skills to move NHU forward and increase its impact on the educational issues facing Hispanics. In 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Dr. Lopez to serve on the State Board of Education.

In 2004, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from New Mexico State University, and in 2005 he was named the Hispanic-Net Educator of the Year. He earned his Doctorate in Education from New Mexico State University. After three years of teaching in the College of Education at New Mexico State University, he continued his career at California State University- Fresno, where he became a tenured faculty member in the School of Education and Human Development. Dr. Lopez is being recognized for his contributions in the “Education” category along with 9 other nominees including nationally renowned author and educator, Dr. Francisco Jimenez and Chancellor of the San Jose/Evergreen Community College District, Dr. Rosa Perez.

The National Hispanic University is a private, WASC accredited, 4-year university authorized to grant degrees since 1981. NHU offers degrees in Liberal Studies, Business and Computer Science, as well as teacher credentialing and certificates in Translation & Interpretation. For more information on NHU, please log onto www.nhu.edu or contact Roberto Cruz II at (408) 273-2712.

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