Jessica Axt 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 26, 2025) – The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) announces the winners of its 2025-26 leadership awards. The ALAS Awards program recognizes four individuals and an ALAS state or regional affiliate for their extraordinary education leadership and advocacy around issues impacting the education of Latino and other historically marginalized students. The recipients will be honored at the ALAS Gala and Awards Banquet during the ALAS 22nd National Summit on Education, which runs from Oct. 15-17, 2025 in Chicago.
The 2025-26 ALAS Award winners are:
ALAS Superintendent of the Year: Rosa Diaz, Carteret Public Schools in New Jersey
Diaz is a first-generation college graduate and is the first Latina to serve as Superintendent of Carteret Public Schools in New Jersey. An educator for nearly 30 years and a champion for equity and innovation, she has led the district through historic milestones. Her accomplishments include raising graduation rates, securing a $37 million referendum for a new junior-high school, the first in more than 60 years, developing a $10 million early childhood center and expanding access to AP and dual enrollment programs. In recognition of her impact, Diaz was named the 2025 Middlesex County Superintendent of the Year. She is a founder and current Vice-President of the New Jersey Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (NJALAS), and is Vice-President of the Middlesex County Association of School Administrators (MCASA). She proudly established scholarship programs for both organizations awarding $20,000 to outstanding students. Nationally, she serves as President of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., created to support and empower young women of color. She lives in Carteret, NJ with her husband and two children.
ALAS Principal of the Year: Pierre Orbe, DeWitt Clinton High School in New York
Orbe is the son of Ecuadorian immigrants who raised three children with the hope that their sacrifices would lead to lives of purpose and impact. He studied neuroscience at Drew University, driven by a desire to help his older brother, who was born with autism. While starting as a science teacher, he earned his master’s at NYU and then became an assistant principal and now principal of DeWitt Clinton High School, leading a dramatic turnaround that raised graduation rates from under 46% to over 97%. Latino graduation rates rose from 38% to 95%, and English Language Learners graduation rates rose from 22% to 95%. Orbe is pursuing his doctorate at Russell Sage College where his research explores how leadership impacts the development of assets in students and families. Rooted in student and family voice, he built new programs in computer science, nursing, and business, and led the creation of New York State’s first high school tattooing and real estate certification pathways.
ALAS Central Office Administrator of the Year: Dr. Lynmara Colón, Prince William County Public Schools in Virginia
Colón is a nationally recognized educational leader, author, and advocate for equity whose work has transformed opportunities for marginalized students. Named one of “20 to Watch” by the National School Boards Association, she has been featured in numerous articles and media outlets for her leadership on behalf of multilingual learners and underserved communities.
The author of Empower Our Girls, Colón is a graduate of the ALAS Superintendents Leadership Academy (SLA) Cohort 14 and serves as a board member for the ALAS DMV (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) affiliate, advancing leadership opportunities for Latino educators. Her doctoral research earned her Doctoral Student of the Year honors and the distinction of being named a Clark Scholar by the University Council for Educational Administration.
She currently leads the Student Opportunity and Multilingual Services Department for Prince William County Public Schools, the 10th most diverse district in the U.S., serving more than 25,000 English Learners. Her portfolio includes Title I, III, and IV programs; English Learner instruction; immigrant youth registration; translation and interpretation; world languages; dual language immersion; preschool; and sustainability of federal programs.
ALAS Advocacy Award: Dr. Alelí Vázquez Santiago, Ron Clark Academy in Georgia
Vázquez Santiago is a proud Puerto Rican trailblazer whose leadership has transformed schools, inspired educators, changed students’ lives, and elevated the voice of Latina administrators nationwide. From her beginnings as a K-2 teacher in Puerto Rico to serving as a transformational school principal in Florida — including as founding principal of Village Park Elementary — she has consistently broken barriers and set new standards for excellence. Today, as the first Latina administrator at the prestigious Ron Clark Academy, Vázquez Santiago serves as Dean of Faculty, shaping instructional practices and delivering world-class professional development to thousands of educators from across the globe. Her leadership has earned multiple Principal of the Year honors, statewide awards for family and community engagement, and leadership roles in major educational associations. The Senate of Puerto Rico has also recognized her for her advocacy for Latino educators and students. Vázquez Santiago is celebrated for empowering Latino educators to lead boldly, advocate fiercely, and dream without limits, proving that representation changes lives.
ALAS Affiliate of the Year: CALAS – Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents
Established in 2015, CALAS is dedicated to advancing Latino leadership and promoting equitable education for Latino students in Connecticut. As a state affiliate of ALAS, CALAS fosters the professional growth of Hispanic/Latino educators through mentorship, leadership development, and networking opportunities. Its mission focuses on inspiring and supporting Latino talent while advocating for quality public education. CALAS collaborates with stakeholders to promote inclusive policies, culturally relevant curricula, and increased diversity in education. The organization has made notable contributions, including supporting Dr. Miguel Cardona’s appointment as Connecticut’s first Latino Commissioner of Education, who was later appointed as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education. CALAS works with over 35 school districts, Connecticut legislators, and the Connecticut State Department of Education, hosting statewide conferences and sharing best practices in educating Latino youth. Through advocacy, strategic partnerships, and leadership development, CALAS continues to impact policy and educational equity for Latino communities statewide.
“The recipients of our ALAS Awards are true changemakers and advocates for Latino and other historically marginalized youth. They exemplify the passion and commitment needed in classrooms, schools, districts and communities to improve education and opportunities for students,” said ALAS Executive Director Ulysses Navarrete. “We are currently in a challenging time in education, especially for those focused on educating historically marginalized youth. Leadership like that shown by our award recipients is needed now more than ever and we hope everyone will join us in Chicago to celebrate these amazing individuals. The work continues!”
The ALAS 22nd National Summit on Education is the association’s flagship leadership development and networking event for administrators at schools and districts that serve primarily Latino and other historically marginalized youth.
To learn more about the Summit and the awards gala, visit https://alasedu.org/events/.
To learn more about ALAS, visit https://alasedu.org/.
About the Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents (ALAS)
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents [ALAS] is committed to providing a perspective to all aspiring school and district administrators, including superintendents, through programs, services, advocacy and networks rooted in Latino experiences and culture. Our Vision, Mission and Goals are to provide leadership at the national level that assures every school in America effectively serves the educational needs of all students with an emphasis on Latino and other historically marginalized youth through continuous professional learning, policy advocacy, and networking to share practices of promise for our students and the communities where we serve.
By the year 2026, Latino children will make up 30 percent of the school-age population. In the nation’s largest states – California, Texas, Florida, and New York – all of whom are ALAS State Affiliates – Latinos already have reached that level. It is of vital interest to invest in the education of every child, and the professional learning of all educators who serve Latino youth.
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