Dr. Karla M. Ayala Lebrón is also the only representative from a Puerto Rican institution in her cohort.
By Institutional Communications
Dr. Karla M. Ayala Lebrón, interim associate dean of the School of General Education at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (Sagrado), has been selected as a fellow of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Academy for the 2026–2027 cohort, making her the only representative from a Puerto Rican university in her group.
The eighth cohort brings together 22 professionals from U.S. universities, with an emphasis on institutions that serve Hispanic communities. Over the course of one year, the program will offer virtual and in-person seminars designed to prepare fellows for leadership roles in higher education institutions. The experience also includes mentorship from a university president or senior administrator, as well as the development of a special project designed to make an impact on the institution where the fellow currently works.
Dr. Ayala Lebrón holds a doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Environments, with a specialization in Second Language Acquisition. Throughout her career, she has focused on curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation. She has also worked in educational project management and the integration of innovative language-learning strategies. During her tenure at Sagrado, she has served as a professor, manager of the Language Laboratory, and academic leader for Languages. She currently serves as associate dean of the School of General Education.
HACU represents more than 400 higher education institutions in the United States, Latin America, and Spain, as well as school districts in the United States. The Leadership Academy faculty comprises university chancellors and administrators, along with current and retired presidents, collectively bringing more than 100 years of experience in the higher education sector.
The first seminar of the 2026–2027 cohort will take place in November 2026 at HACU’s 40th Annual Conference in Chula Vista, California. The second seminar will be held in April 2027 at HACU’s National Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Ayala Lebrón’s selection as a HACU fellow reflects her commitment to academic excellence and positions her as a leader in advancing the educational mission of Universidad del Sagrado Corazón.
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