On March 21, the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) named MDRC Analyst Rosario Torres to the inaugural class of fellows for its 2019 Postsecondary Leadership Success Program. Sponsored by the ECMC Foundation, the program provides professional and career growth opportunities to the next generation of leaders at nonprofits and postsecondary institutions focusing on career and technical education (CTE) programs.

Torres is a research analyst for the MDRC Center for Effective Career and Technical Education. She currently provides technical assistance to MDRC’s College Promise Success Initiative, which supports College Promise and Free College programs aimed at promoting student success in college by implementing evidence-based student support practices.

ACTE will engage two successive cohorts of 20 CTE postsecondary professionals in leadership development activities. These activities include creating a personal development plan, attending virtual and in-person professional development sessions, sharing best practices with the field, and engaging with a mentor. The goal of the program is to help participants develop and refine their skills in CTE organizational leadership and management; build critical skills in communication, collaboration, networking, problem solving, and use of time/resources; and hone their ability to facilitate institutional change.