David Perez

David Pérez II is a Doctoral Candidate in Higher Education at The Pennsylvania State University. He has served as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Center for the Study of Higher Education and currently works with the Office of Graduate Educational Equity Programs. In 1993, David was selected as a Posse Scholar and earned his B.S. in Human and Organizational Development and M.Ed. in General Administrative Leadership from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.

Prior to pursuing the doctorate, David served as a student affairs professional in residence life at Syracuse University and New York University. During his tenure at both institutions, he engaged students in educationally purposeful activities including residential leadership, peer education, and social justice advocacy. He has also coordinated a nationally recognized undergraduate research experience, the Summer Research Opportunities Program, sponsored by the Committee for Institutional Cooperation.

David’s current research focuses on the recruitment and retention of Latino males at postsecondary institutions. His research interests include the purposeful engagement of racial/ethnic minority students, educational outcomes associated with diversity and social justice, graduate education in student affairs, and the improvement of campus climate for underrepresented and underserved student populations.