Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University Hires First Executive Director

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Domingo Morel, Co-Chairman of LPI, Fred Fuentes, Executive Director LPI, Roy J. Nirschel, President of Roger Williams University, Jorge Elorza, Co-Chairman of LPI

BRISTOL, RI (09/22/2009)(readMedia)-- The Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University (LPI) announced today that its Board of Directors has hired Ferdinand "Fred" Fuentes as its first Executive Director. The selection of Fuentes marks the successful culmination of a national search launched by the Institute. Fuentes brings with him a solid background including more than 12 years of experience in educational research, community building, civic engagement, and organizational development.

Fuentes holds a master's degree in divinity from Andover Newton Theological School and is currently completing his doctorate in education at Johnson & Wales University. He has also served on a number of boards and organizations including the Educational and Personal Advisory Council, the Massachusetts Redistricting Committee, the New Bedford Human Relations Commission and various other groups.

"We are very excited to have someone with Fuentes' credentials leading the important work of the Institute," said Jorge Elorza, Co-Chairman of the LPI Board of Directors. "He was chosen for his leadership skills, understanding of the community and deep commitment to the issues laid out in LPI's business plan. LPI has worked diligently over the past three years to develop a strategic plan to strengthen the Institute and to ensure that it achieves the goals set forth by the Board of Directors and stakeholders. Fuentes' experience as an academician, administrator and educational leader makes him uniquely qualified to direct the Institute."

"Traveler, there is no path, we make the path we walk," stated Fred Fuentes. "Truly, the LPI at Roger Williams University will blaze a new trail as it provides awareness, thorough analysis, and prompt, creative solutions to the most pressing issues within the Latino community. Through this, we will affirm the contributions Latinos are making and prove to the state that an investment in the Latino community is an investment in all of Rhode Island."

Latinos are currently the largest minority population in Rhode Island, and those numbers are expected to double by the year 2020. Because of the projected growth of this community, the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University will make the case that what is good for Latinos is also good for the state. LPI will provide empirically grounded public policy research that will contribute to fundamental advances in the quality of life of Latinos and of the state as a whole. By stimulating public policy discourse based on timely and factual data, the Institute will serve as a valuable resource to state and local policymakers in Rhode Island while documenting the social, economic and civic contributions of Latinos in Rhode Island.

"Not only will Fred Fuentes bring extensive experience to the Latino Policy Institute, he'll approach his work with the energy and enthusiasm needed to initiate progress," said University President Roy J. Nirschel. "He'll undoubtedly be a critical, vocal leader as we work toward building an awareness of Rhode Island's Latino community members and their contributions."

About RWU: Roger Williams University is a leading independent, coeducational liberal arts university at which students live and learn to be global citizens. With 40 academic programs and an array of co-curricular activities on its Bristol, R.I., campus, RWU is committed to its mantra of learning to bridge the world. Under the leadership of President Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D., the University has achieved unprecedented academic and financial successes. In 2009, U.S. News & World Report named RWU the seventh-ranked baccalaureate college in the north.

About LPI: The Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University is an independent research institute committed to generating and communicating non-partisan data of Latinos in Rhode Island. The LPI stimulates public policy discourse and enhances the public's understanding of the Rhode Island Latino experience. With this information, Latinos' social, economic and civic contributions to the state can be better documented and understood.

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