Briarcliffe College President George Santiago Honored During Hispanic Heritage Month

October 23, 2009

George Santiago of Bethpage Recognized by Nassau County Executive and the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Bethpage, NY (Oct. 23, 2009) -- A prominent advocate for advanced educational opportunities within the Hispanic community, Briarcliffe College President George Santiago, Jr., Ph.D., received two local honors during Hispanic Heritage month.

On Oct. 6, Dr. Santiago received the 2009 Hispanic Heritage Award from Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and on Oct. 24, he was honored as Educator of the Year during the annual gala of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, he was the recipient of the Hispanic Heritage Award from the Suffolk County Office of Minority Affairs.

As the first in his family to receive a college degree — followed by a masters and doctorate in educational administration — Dr. Santiago knows firsthand the benefits of higher education. Alarmed by the under representation of Hispanics in America’s colleges, Dr. Santiago has committed to reaching out, including financial support through the Briarcliffe College Hispanic Scholarship program. In the belief that community programs and organizations can help to communicate the importance of education to young adults, Dr. Santiago partners with organizations including: the Long Island Hispanic Chamber, Nassau and Suffolk County Minority Affairs departments, Adelante of Suffolk County, Inc., The Hispanic Network LLC, Hispanic Federation, La Fuerza Unida, Inc. and Fundacion Hispanoamericana, Inc.

“Hispanics have the lowest enrollment in colleges across America, but the good news is that statistics are improving. The most recent figures show the Hispanic presence has increased from 10 to 12 percent in colleges across the U.S and here at Briarcliffe College, we’ve gone from 9.2 percent in 2006 to 12.8 in 2008,” said Dr. Santiago.

George Santiago Earns Community Honors

Throughout his career as an educational administrator at Briarcliffe College, Montclair State University, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Rider University and Rutgers College, and while himself a student at Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Santiago has been consistently active with matters pertaining to Hispanic students and their academic success. He has served as advisor, consultant and presenter. Most recently he delivered a paper on initiatives that promote retention and graduation during the Hispanic Federation 2008 Annual Conference. For his expertise, Dr. Santiago has been interviewed in print and broadcast media, including (Newsday, Diversity in Education, and WABC TV’s (Tiempo.

About Briarcliffe College: A proprietary institution with campuses in Bethpage, Patchogue and Queens, Briarcliffe College is a four-year career education college offering degree programs in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, graphic design, information technology, management and paralegal studies.

For more information, visit www.briarcliffe.edu. Briarcliffe College does not guarantee employment or salary.

Pictured:
George Santiago + Tom Suozzi –Hispanic Heritage 2009

Pictured (left to right):
Briarcliffe College President Dr. George Santiago is joined by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi during the 2009 Hispanic Heritage Award ceremonies where Dr. Santiago received recognition for his advocacy in advancing education.