Dr. Pérez is a nationally recognized thought leader and speaker on issues of educational access, opportunity, and student success. A first-generation college graduate who rose from economic hardship in Puerto Rico and the South Bronx, he has dedicated his career to expanding opportunity in higher education—proving that diversity and excellence are not mutually exclusive. As CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Dr. Pérez has led the organization through transformational change. Under his leadership, NACAC redefined its mission and vision, restructured governance, doubled its membership, launched new research and programs, advanced federal policy efforts, and secured the largest philanthropic gifts in its history. Previously, he served in senior leadership roles at several institutions, most recently as Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success at Trinity College. Passionate about cultivating future leaders, he has developed programs focused on cultivating the next generation of leaders in the field. He is the author of The Hottest Seat on Campus: Mastering the Art of Leadership in College Admission, published by Harvard Ed Press. Dr. Pérez is a trusted advisor to policymakers, having consulted the Biden-Harris administration on college access and testified before state education boards. He was appointed by Connecticut’s Governor to the New England Board of Higher Education and served on Forward50, a national coalition of higher ed leaders advising Congress. He is a contributor and frequent commentator in the media, with appearances in The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, PBS, The Atlantic, Forbes, and others. He's taught courses at Trinity College, UCLA, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Rikkyo University in Japan. In addition to his courses in higher ed, he has taught Designing Your Life, the transformative curriculum developed at Stanford University's Design School. He's served as a coach and advisor to emerging and senior leaders on college campuses, helping them navigate complex challenges while also caring for themselves. He's served as a trustee at Berkshire School, United World College in Costa Rica, Scholarship America, and CASE, and is a member of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Pérez holds degrees from Skidmore College, Columbia University, and Claremont Graduate University, along with a Teaching Certification in Higher Education Pedagogy from the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard University.