Who We Are

Biography of Gumecindo Salas, Ph.D.

Gumecindo Salas is currently Vice President of Governmental Relations for the Hispanic Association for College and Universities. Prior to his joining HACU, Gumecindo was employed by Michigan State University as a Professor of Urban Studies and Integrative Studies of Social Science. Prior to his teaching position at MSU, he served as director of Minority Programs. He taught for the Detroit Public Schools and later for Wayne State University, where he helped establish a Chicano Boricua Studies program and served as its director for three years prior to joining Michigan State University.

Following graduation from college, he worked one year in Cartagena, Colombia for the United States Information Agency. He earned a Bachelors and Masters degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. His Ph.D. was earned from the University of Michigan in Continuing and Higher Education. He has also attended educational seminars at George Washington University and Harvard University.

The following are representative of his research and publications: "Hispanic Political Behavior in the United States: An Analysis of the 1990-1992 National Elections" Latino Studies Journal, 1998; "Racial Inequality in Post Secondary Education," Paper, Urban Affairs Programs, 1998; "Multicultural Education in Michigan's Public Schools, Equity and Excellence in Education," 1998; "Latino Life and Social Needs: A Detroit Survey; New Detroit Inc. & Latin American Secretariat, Archdiocese of Detroit; "New Detroit Publication," Detroit, 1975; "The Mexican Community of Detroit,: La Causa Chicana, Family Services of America, New York, N.Y, 1971; "Hispanics in Michigan," Ethnic Groups in Michigan, Volume II, The People of Michigan Series, The Ethnos Press, 1983.

Gumecindo has served as a consultant on multicultural education, migrant education, and parental involvement in education for the state departments of Colorado, Texas, Montana, Wisconsin and Michigan. His research expertise is in the areas of multiculturalism and diversity in education and the workplace.

Other research areas include charter schools and their impact on minority populations and voting patterns of Hispanics in the United States. General presentations to national associations and professional groups include: Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Detroit Leadership Development Program, Texas Education Agency, League of United Latin American Citizens, National Education Association, and Madonna University (Convocation Speaker).

Mr. Salas served as an elected member of the Michigan State Board of Education for two terms and served on the Saginaw Valley State University Board of Trustees and on the Governor's Commission for the Improvement of Higher Education in Michigan.