Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Tech Honors Yvette Santiago During Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
October 17, 2024
Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Technical Community College’s Stanton and Wilmington campuses honored Yvette Santiago, director of community engagement at Nemours Children’s Health, for her commitment to the Hispanic community and culture across Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ at its 15th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Honoree Celebration on Oct. 3, 2024.
Since 2010, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ Tech has recognized and celebrated individuals whose exceptional contributions improved the lives of Hispanic and Latino individuals throughout Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ.
Santiago has dedicated her 34-year career of advocacy and leadership in education, juvenile and social justice, and healthcare to ensuring children, families, and communities in the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ region are able to achieve their greatest potential. She has been a trailblazer for Hispanic women and others in Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ by being the first Hispanic woman to lead and serve in leadership roles in various organizations in the state. Her commitment, dedication, and passion to amplify the needs of our most vulnerable populations and communities have made an impact that will be felt for many years to come.
In 2007, then-Governor Ruth Ann Minner appointed Santiago to serve on the New Castle County Vo-Tech School Board of Education, a position she still holds today. She was the first Hispanic woman to be appointed to that Board and to serve as its vice president and president. She is also the first Hispanic woman to serve as president of a public school district board in Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ. In addition, Yvette serves as a board member for the Red Clay Consolidated School District’s Education Foundation, the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ School-Based Health Alliance, and the Partnership Inc., a subsidiary of the Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ State Chamber of Commerce.
“I have had the privilege of working alongside Yvette on various boards, committees, and initiatives, and I've seen firsthand her unwavering commitment to equity — not only in healthcare, which is her field of expertise, but also in education and across our state's workforce,” said Dr. Lora Johnson, campus director and vice president of the Wilmington campus. “She is truly a remarkable force, a champion for those whose voices need amplifying, and someone whose leadership I deeply admire.”
During the ceremony, Santiago was also honored with tributes from Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ’s Congressional delegation, governor, lieutenant governor, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ General Assembly, New Castle County, and the City of Wilmington.
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