Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Awards $12,000 in Scholarships to Aspiring Latino Education Leaders
Deborah Esparza and Anthony Rosilez receive ALAS/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Scholarships to pursue advanced degrees
BOSTON — October 7, 2009 — Global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) awarded a $10,000 first-place scholarship to Deborah R. Esparza of Chicago, Illinois, and a $2,000 honorable mention scholarship to Anthony John Rosilez of Roscoe, Illinois, for achievement, leadership and commitment to education.
Since its inception in 2006, the ALAS/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt scholarship has annually provided financial awards to exceptional Latino school leaders pursuing advanced degrees in education with the goal of becoming an administrator or superintendent.
“ALAS’s goals of identifying, training and supporting Latino leaders through professional development, information sharing and policy advocacy align with my professional and academic goals,” said Esparza, first-place scholarship winner. “I’m genuinely committed to establishing high standards and expectations, and will uphold them for the sake of our future leaders.”
Esparza, a chief area officer for Chicago Public Schools, began her Doctorate of Education in Education Administration at National Louis University in April. Rosilez, assistant superintendent and Human Resources director for the Harlem Consolidated School District 122 in Machesney Park, Illinois, will earn his Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at the University of Wisconsin - Madison this December.
“My ultimate goal is to create a public education system of equity and excellence in which traditionally marginalized students — indeed, all students — surpass our highest expectations,” said Rosilez. “This scholarship allows me to contribute to research that supports the work of superintendents of color and to promote policies and practices that empower Latino students to achieve.”
“We’re proud to sponsor this opportunity for promising leaders like Deborah and Anthony,” said Barry O’Callaghan, chief executive officer of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “Because the number of advancement initiatives for aspiring Latino administrators is disproportionately small, it is imperative that we continue to create opportunities like this that promote continued education and professional advancement.”
Past recipients of the first-place $10,000 scholarship include Ysidiro Salazar, chief secondary school improvement officer of the San Diego Unified School District; Charles Hernandez, assistant principal for New York City Public Schools; Elizabeth J. Blanco, director of special education for the Rowland Unified School District in California; and Anthony Chavez, principal for the Dallas Independent School District.
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education leader and the world's largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K–12 schools. The Company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards-based assessments for students and educators. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit www.hmhpub.com.
CONTACT:
Josef Blumenfeld
Vice President, Communications
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
617-351-5432
josef.blumenfeld@hmhpub.com