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The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is proud to announce Dr. Fernando León García, president of CETYS University System, as the inaugural chair of the CASE Latin America Regional Council.

In 2019, CASE members globally approved a new volunteer leadership structure that established the Latin America Regional Council as well as regional councils in each of the other organization’s other regions: Asia-Pacific, Europe, and U.S./Canada.

León García’s appointment as chair is the most recent step in realization of the CASE global volunteer leadership structure. The role of the Latin America Council will be to set strategy, advise on member growth and retention opportunities, and ensure that CASE’s programs, products, and services continue to meet the needs of members within the region.  

León García has been president of CETYS University since 2010, leading the university to institutional and program accreditation in the United States and one of the highest student mobility rates in Mexico.

Prior to that, he served as chancellor of City University of Seattle‘s International Division, covering programs, campuses, and sites across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. 

“As CASE reaches its OneCASE goal, the significance of representation from and support for Latin America is pivotal. I am honored to participate with CASE in the creation of the Latin American Regional Council. We hope to strengthen the role of CASE in advancing education to transform lives and society in Latin America,” Dr. León García says. “While we are all being affected by COVID-19, the need for and role of advancement in the development of educational institutions has only been increased. Through the Latin American Regional Council we will further assess the needs of advancement professionals and the educational institutions they serve.”

Earlier this month, León García completed a six-year tenure on the CASE Board of Trustees. During that time, he served as chair of the Board’s International Committee and was a member of the Executive Committee.

León García serves on several boards and advisory groups related to international higher education , accreditation, governance and institutional development in addition to his work with CASE including the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Council of Presidents of the Association of Governing Boards, Commission on Internationalization/Global Engagement of the American Council on Education, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and many others.

We are thrilled that President Fernando León will serve as the inaugural chair of the new CASE Council for Latin America. President León knows CASE and its mission well, having served as a valued CASE Trustee, and is a champion of advancing education around the world,” says Sue Cunningham, President and CEO, CASE. “His leadership of this important and growing CASE region comes at a pivotal time for higher education. I cannot think of a better leader as we seek to enhance CASE’s service to institutions throughout Latin America.”