Dr. Elvin T. Ramos
Vice President of Instruction Candidate
Dr. Elvin T. Ramos currently serves as the Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. In this role, he leads inclusive focused initiatives that support both faculty and student development. With more than a decade of progressive academic leadership, Dr. Ramos brings extensive experience in advancing institutional equity, engaging diverse communities, and promoting transformative educational practices.
Before his leadership in California, Dr. Ramos served as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and as a faculty member at the University of the District of Columbia Community College in Washington, D.C. In these roles, he prioritized equity in student onboarding, retention, and completion. He also developed innovative partnerships across sectors to strengthen workforce and transfer pathways for the college’s 17 career and technical education programs. His work included leading grant funded initiatives and supporting grant development efforts.
Dr. Ramos is a trained social scientist and interdisciplinary educator. He has taught courses in Humanities, Urban Studies, First Year Seminar, Political Science, Social Sciences, Global Development, and History at institutions including CUNY Guttman Community College, Adelphi University, Metropolitan College of New York, De Anza College, and St. John’s University. His research focuses on global poverty and its historical roots, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and reflecting his commitment to international development.
He is the founder of Global Tassels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering first generation students from underserved communities around the world through access to higher education. From 2014 to 2020, he served as President, expanding the organization’s reach to Haiti, Kenya, the Philippines, Ghana, Cambodia, Colombia, Guatemala, Thailand, and India. Global Tassels reflects his commitment to elevating student voices and building leadership through education, service, and social responsibility. He most recently served as Board Chair of the organization.
Earlier in his career, Dr. Ramos served as Assistant Dean and Interim Department Chair at the Audrey Cohen School for Human Services and Education at Metropolitan College of New York. His work focused on strategic planning, accreditation, enrollment growth, and the expansion of online education. Across all his roles, he has consistently championed access, equity, and culturally responsive leadership.
Dr. Ramos earned his doctorate in history from St. John’s University (2010), a master’s degree in education from Adelphi University (2007), and a bachelor’s degree in political science (2006). He is completing a second doctorate in sustainability at Prescott College in May 2026. His work centers on transforming educational ecosystems and exploring the intersection of leadership and community empowerment. As a visionary and equity driven leader, Dr. Ramos seeks to align strategy with inclusive practices to build educational environments that are innovative, resilient, accessible, and responsive to the communities they serve.
