Executive Vice Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago and President of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Verónica Herrero Joins Excelencia in Education’s Board to Expand Capacity and Advance National Talent

New Board member Verónica Herrero will elevate Excelencia’s leadership to help institutions be more student-centered while serving on the Board.  

CHICAGO — (February 25, 2026) – Excelencia in Education, a national organization catalyzing institutional transformation for Latine and all student success in higher education, announced today that Verónica Herrero, executive vice chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago and president of City Colleges of Chicago Foundation, has joined its Board of Directors.  

Together with the full Board, Verónica Herrero will elevate Excelencia’s leadership in helping colleges and universities embed student-centered, data-informed, continuous improvement into their strategies and practices—and prove their positive student impact to funders, accreditors, and communities. 

“I am honored to serve on the board of Excelencia in Education and to help uplift those dedicated to advancing the pursuit of education for Latine and all students,” said Executive Vice Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago and President of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Verónica Herrero. “This opportunity reflects on my long commitment to education as well as the progress we have made here at City Colleges to support student success. I look forward to leveraging key insights from Chicago and models across the country to help put more students on the pathway to upward mobility.” 

Excelencia accelerates Latine student success, while increasing all student success, to close postsecondary attainment gaps and advance our families, communities, and nation. The organization draws on more than 20 years of experience working with and learning from higher education leaders and practitioners to design, scale, and certify solutions that produce measurable outcomes for Latino, and all, students and institutions. 

Verónica Herrero brings a powerful combination of experience and commitment to ensuring Latine and all students earn a quality college education, and to upholding higher education’s role as an engine of social mobility, workforce development, and economic vitality. As Executive Vice Chancellor – Chief Institutional Advancement Officer and Chief of Staff at City Colleges of Chicago, she plays a central role in shaping the direction and impact of one of the largest community college systems in the United States. She has 20 years of experience in leading data-driven strategies and forging meaningful partnerships that advance student success. She joined City Colleges in 2019 to architect the system’s five-year strategic framework, emerging as a driving force behind districtwide transformation. Herrero also serves as President of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation. In her multifaceted role, she provides districtwide leadership and oversight for strategy, institutional effectiveness, external affairs, fundraising, and marketing and communications. Herrero has re-energized public and private fundraising efforts to secure historic investments in student supports and program innovation. A Chicago native, she is the proud daughter of two Mexican immigrants, mother of two young boys, and a lifelong champion of access and equity. 

Herrero will contribute her perspective to inform and drive Excelencia’s efforts to unite colleges and universities, funders, employers, and policymakers for collective action to more intentionally serve Latine, and all, students. 

“Excelencia continues to transform higher education for Latino, and all, students, growing excellence for America’s future,” said Massey Villarreal, Excelencia in Education Board Chair. “We are honored that the new and continuing board members are strengthening our impact, each bringing a proven commitment to producing meaningful results for students, institutions, and our nation’s workforce.” 

“The Directors on the Excelencia Board know first-hand that what works to intentionally serve Latino students in higher education can also work for others,” said Sarita E. Brown, Excelencia in Education Co-founder and President. “They are holding themselves accountable for delivering access and value that matters for the success of our students and country — and calling on others to do the same.” 

Meet Verónica Herrero the Excelencia in Education Board of Directors: EdExcelencia.org/about/our-people. 

Media contact: Veronica Resa, City Colleges of Chicago, (e) vresa1@ccc.edu 

About City Colleges of Chicago  

City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility, empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger Chicago. Learn more about City Colleges of Chicago by visiting www.ccc.edu, click here or call 312-COLLEGE.  

About Excelencia in Education 

Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia ensures access to excellence by promoting student achievement, informing educational policies, and advancing evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org