Financial Aid Director Chosen for National Latino Leadership Program

Emiyaril Alvarez '06, '10M, director of financial aid at Millersville University, is one of 39 college professionals nationwide chosen to participate in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities' Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program.

The six-month program develops leadership talent in Hispanic-serving institutions and higher education, with participants engaging in online sessions and in-person meetings at HACU's Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado, and the National Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C. Those selected participate in programming covering academic and student affairs management, regional institutional accreditation and higher education advocacy issues.

"This opportunity comes at a significant time for Lancaster County and the surrounding region, where the Hispanic population continues to grow," Alvarez says. "Representation matters, and I'm proud to bring Pennsylvania's voice to this national conversation on advancing Latino leadership in higher education. When students see leaders who look like them and share their experiences, it shows them that their own goals are possible."

Local school districts, including Lancaster City and Reading, along the Route 222 Corridor, now report some of the highest levels of Hispanic student enrollment in Pennsylvania. Many students are first- or second-generation, underscoring the need for leaders who understand and represent their experiences, says Alvarez.

At Millersville University, Alvarez plays a key role in enrollment management, where financial aid touches nearly every area of campus, from supporting recruitment and retention to ensuring compliance, administrative effectiveness, and contributing to fiscal stability, while advancing access and affordability for students.

Alvarez began her career at Millersville in 2008 as a graduate assistant in the Office of Financial Aid and has held multiple roles since, culminating in her appointment as director in 2022. She also serves on the State Grant Advisory Committee and Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' Government Relations Committee, advocating for policies and programs that empower students, remove barriers and expand access to higher education.

Her participation in the Enlace program reflects Millersville University's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and highlights the University's dedication to fostering leadership that supports student success while responding to the region's changing demographics.