Gonzalez recognized among influential U.S. Hispanic professionals

HispanicBusiness magazine has named School of Education Dean Gerardo Gonzalez one of its 2012 “Hispanic Business Influentials,” according to a press release issued
Nov. 20.

The annual list recognizes 50 Hispanics in the U.S. who have made significant achievements in fields such as government and executive leadership, literature, sports, science and academia, according to HispanicBusiness.com.

“Considering there are more than 50 million Hispanics living in and contributing to the U.S. economy, this is a humbling honor,” Gonzalez said in the press release.
The designation came as a surprise, he said.

Gonzalez was accompanied on the list by names such as U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

“The increasing number of U.S. Hispanics in positions of influence inspired HispanicBusiness to compile its listing in recognition of those qualified individuals who have had recent national impact,” HispanicBusiness.com editor and publisher Jesus Chavarria said in an online article.

Gonzalez has served as the School of Education dean since 2000. Prior to his deanship, he was a member of the faculty at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla.

He is a recognized expert on drug and alcohol education, according to the press release.

“Although I believe that in a democracy leaders have a special responsibility to speak openly, truthfully and forcefully on important social issues and I have done so, especially when it comes to education, I have never considered myself as having undue influence,” Gonzalez said.

— Kirsten Clark