Dr. JuanEs Ramirez, an alumnus of the Reich College of Education’s Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, has been nominated as one of the 2022 Top 10 Under 40 Awards by the Hickory Young Professionals.
The award program is designed to highlight the outstanding young professionals in the community.
As the state representative for Spanish services at the College Foundation of North Carolina, Ramirez has “the privilege to travel across North Carolina and support Spanish-speaking students, families, and educators with planning, applying, paying, and saving for college.”
Originally from Medellin, Colombia, Ramirez cannot recall seeing someone who he knew or who looked like him receiving an award like this.
For him, being nominated “creates a positive connection with people when they are able to see themselves in a mirror instead of a window.”
“I am becoming the person I wanted to see when I was younger,” he added. “I wish I had seen this in my community growing up, and now I can be that person - it’s a big privilege!”
Ramirez also noted that he did not receive this recognition alone.
“It’s not just celebrating me, but it’s all who have helped me - it’s a celebration of App State for giving me the tools I use every day, as well as a thank you letter to those individuals who have been there for me,” he reflected.
Impacting Education in His Community
Ramirez’s impact on education in his community is significant in many ways.
“My impact correlates to making sure resources are available in ways our students and families can relate and understand,” noted Ramirez. “We empower students and families to think and act about their postsecondary education inspiration.”
“The final component is highlighting and celebrating the formidable wealth our Latinx/Hispanic students, and families bring to different spaces,” he added. “We use our own stories of success and struggles as points of connection, we listen to their own stories, and inform others with the idea of increasing education, and opportunities for Hispanic/Latinx North Carolinians.”
Ramirez also completed his Ed.S. in higher education from Appalachian State University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in international business and languages from Lenior Rhyne College and his master’s degree in strategic leadership from Mountain State University.
JuanEs Ramirez
