Kean Associate Vice President Named to HACU Leadership Academy

Neva Lozada, Ed.D., associate vice president of administration for the Division of Strategic Analytics and Data Illumination (SADI) at Kean University, has been selected as a fellow in a national leadership academy designed to increase diverse representation in executive and senior-level positions in higher education.

Lozada is one of only 45 distinguished higher education professionals nationwide to be chosen for the sixth cohort of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo.

"I am honored to join this outstanding group of leaders and to represent Kean University in this important initiative," Lozada said. "This fellowship will provide invaluable insight and resources that will enhance my ability to contribute to Kean’s work advancing equity, inclusion and academic excellence, while also giving me the opportunity to be part of the national conversation on diversifying higher education."

Fellows in the year-long program engage in comprehensive leadership development, including specialized seminars and mentorship from university executives, with a focus on preparing participants for executive and senior-level roles at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), such as Kean, and Emerging HSIs. As part of the program, Lozada will also work on a special project designed to enhance leadership strategies at Kean University.

Michael Salvatore, Ph.D., senior vice president for administration at Kean, said Lozada’s innovative work in SADI has positioned her perfectly for this opportunity.

“Through her efforts within SADI, Dr. Lozada has helped transform how we use data to enhance student success and university operations at Kean,” said Salvatore. “Her selection for the HACU Leadership Academy reflects her dedication to advancing equity and excellence in higher education. I have no doubt this experience will elevate her contributions at Kean and across the national higher education landscape.”

Fellows will participate in webinars and three in-person seminars over the next year, beginning in October at HACU’s 38th Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado. Additional seminars will take place in Washington, D.C., and internationally, offering a global perspective on higher education leadership which aligns with Kean’s growing global reach. 

Lozada is the latest Kean leader to be named a fellow of the Academy. Assistant Vice President for Student Retention and Dean of Students Marvin Adames, Esq., was selected last year, and Vice President for Administration Carlos E. Rodriguez, Ed.D., took part three years ago.