Angel B. Pérez

Elevating Access, Championing Success

About Angel

About Dr. Pérez

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Dr. Angel B. Pérez is CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). In this role, he represents over 27,000 admission and counseling professionals worldwide committed to postsecondary access and success. He is the primary voice of the association to government, media, and global partners. Pérez is recognized as a national thought leader and sought-after speaker on issues of educational equity, access, and success.

Throughout his career, Dr. Pérez has worked to realize his belief that diversity and academic excellence are not mutually exclusive, and that every student who aspires to higher education should be afforded the opportunity. His work echoes his own story. Growing up poor in Puerto Rico and the South Bronx, he was the first in his family to graduate from college and went on to become a leader in higher education.

Full Bio

Thought Leadership

Dr. Angel B. Pérez writes often in academic and mainstream media. Below are a sample of recent articles.

Navigating the College Search: NACAC’s Expert Insights

Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine

While many college applicants and their parents read the U.S. News and World Reports rankings of the best colleges to research the university that best suits them, several experts caution against using it as the basis of a college search. Full Article

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One CEO's Story of Executive Burnout

The Center for Association Leadership

A fog descended upon me, like clouds forming above a seaside town when a warm day meets cool ocean waters. At first, I made nothing of it. I’m probably tired. I should sleep more. Maybe I need more iron in my diet? I should start taking vitamins. Full Article

NACAC CEO Announces a New Mission and Vision Statement

Higher Ed Dive

Fifty years ago, the 1971 Report on Higher Education — better known as the Newman Report — challenged higher education to become more inclusive, especially for women and minority students, and to serve the needs of all students. Full Article

Inequity in College Admissions is a Threat to US Prosperity

The Hill

At the initial news conference announcing indictments in the Varsity Blues scandal two years ago, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling summed up the case succinctly: “The real victims in this case are the students," who were displaced in the admissions process. Full Article

What's At Stake for College Admissions In This Election?

Forbes

This year’s elections will have a significant impact on the future of college admission. While most Americans focus on the presidency, state and local elections also have a profound impact on which students are best prepared for college. Full Article

Employers Benefited from Affirmative Action.

It’s Time to Step Up.

The New York Times

I’ve been traveling the country speaking to corporate executives about seismic shifts in higher education: a demographic cliff, decreased state funding, ever-rising tuition and a recent poll . Full Article

New Leaders Face a Daunting Foe: Themselves

Inisde Higher Ed

A new leadership position brings excitement, expectations and no shortage of challenges in the world of education. Such roles involve an unforgiving pace with intense pressure amid a pandemic, a racial reckoning, divisive politics and a looming recession. Full Article

The Perverse Consequences of the NCAA Ruling

The Atlantic

The Supreme Court has changed college admissions forever. The justices’ decision late last month allowing NCAA Division I football and men’s basketball programs to provide new educational incentives to student athletes created an overdue avenue. Full Article

A New CEO's Strategy for Building the Plane While Flying It

The Center for Association Leadership

I began my tenure as CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) last July, when the pandemic was raging, the nation was in political turmoil and undergoing a racial reckoning. Full Article

4 Steps to Improving College Access

Higher Ed Dive

Our nation’s future is at risk. While higher education has always been perceived as a great equalizer, our deeply entrenched social inequities have put college out of reach for too many Americans, inhibiting our country from truly prospering. Full Article

Media

Dr. Pérez often lends his voice to media and other outlets to address issues of college access, success, and leadership. Dive into these podcasts and media coverage to learn more.