Northeastern Illinois University Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Terry Mena, Ph.D., selected for national leadership academy

Northeastern Illinois University Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Terry C. Mena, Ph.D., was selected as a 2025–26 Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo Fellow.

The one-year fellowship program prepares senior-level higher education leaders to advance student success and institutional excellence at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and emerging HSIs. HACU Fellows engage in seminars, receive mentorship from nationally recognized leaders and participate in a project that brings new ideas and best practices to their home colleges and universities.

“Dr. Mena’s selection reflects his demonstrated commitment to student success, equity and community engagement,” Northeastern President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D., said. “NEIU will benefit from the Academy’s focus on strategic leadership, data-informed decision-making and cross-sector partnerships that expand opportunity for our students. Dr. Mena’s record of service to students and collaborative leadership embody NEIU’s mission and values, and his participation in HACU’s Leadership Academy will further strengthen our capacity to serve a diverse student body with excellence and impact.”

Dr. Mena began his tenure at Northeastern in February 2021. He is a native of Miami and a first-generation college student. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in Boston, a master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. He has more than two decades of experience working in higher education. In early 2021, Dr. Mena was honored by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) for Student Affairs administrators with its 2020-2021 AVP/Senior-Level Student Affairs Professional Award. He also received NASPA’s 2023 Pillar of the Profession recognition.

“I am honored to represent NEIU in this national cohort,” Dr. Mena said. “I look forward to learning alongside colleagues across the country and applying that knowledge to enhance student success and the NEIU experience.”

Top photo: Dr. Terry C. Mena