Dean Gonzalez to deliver Ivy Tech commencement address, receive honorary degree
Indiana University School of Education Dean Gerardo Gonzalez will deliver the Ivy Tech Bloomington campus commencement address and receive an honorary degree from the institution. The commencement ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 11 at the Indiana University Auditorium. Chancellor John Whikehart will present Dr. Gonzalez with an honorary Associate of Science degree for College and Community Service from Ivy Tech.
“Dr. Gonzalez is a Miami-Dade Community College graduate, a Cuban immigrant, and a model of persistence and success for all community college students,” said Ivy Tech-Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart in an Ivy Tech news release.” “He was instrumental in shepherding Ivy Tech’s system-wide education degree articulation with IU, has been an involved and visible community volunteer in Bloomington, and was appointed in 2012 by the Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, Brian C. Bosma, to the Indiana Commission for Hispanic/Latino Affairs.”
Gonzalez became Dean of Indiana University's School of Education in 2000. Before joining IU, he was professor and chair of counselor education, associate dean for administration and finance, and interim dean in the College of Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He received his B.A. degree in psychology and Ph.D. in counselor education and higher education administration from the University of Florida.
A recognized expert on alcohol and drug education, Dr. Gonzalez' is active in multicultural counseling and education issues. He has addressed national and international groups and published scholarly works on the Cuban-American experience and Hispanic educational concerns. In 2003, Dr. Gonzalez received the Indiana University Latino Faculty and Staff service award for his advocacy on behalf of educational equity and access for underrepresented groups.
A tireless advocate of a quality education for all, Dr. Gonzalez has been a spokesperson and proponent of creating a seamless system of education from pre-kindergarten through college. In 2006, his leadership in this area led to the creation of the IU School of Education Center for P-16 Research and Collaboration dedicated to fostering partnerships with schools and communities to strengthen preparation for college and 21st century jobs among urban, poor and minority youth.
Under Gonzalez the IU School of Education has maintained overall excellence, ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s top schools of education nationwide for 12 consecutive years. In the most recent rankings, the school ranked 21st overall and 11th among public university graduate schools. Several individual degree programs ranked highly in specialty categories: seventh for curriculum/instruction; eighth for elementary education and higher education administration; 10th in student counseling and personnel services; 12th for secondary education; 14th for administration/supervision; and 21st in educational psychology.
Ivy Tech Bloomington will honor approximately 673 students who are completing their education by earning associate degrees, technical certificates, and certificates. The number of students graduating with honors is 191, with 25 students earning Summa Cum Laude honors for maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Indiana University School of Education Dean Gerardo Gonzalez