Gloria Bonilla Santiago
Connect with Gloria
About Gloria
Santiago directs the Community Leadership Center and is the overseer and Board Chair of the LEAP Academy University Charter School. Santiago’s record of service and the impact of her work on poor children and families, minorities, and community are exemplary by any standard. She is a passionate and enthusiastic educator, who has focused her professional acumen on helping people to be able to become self-reliant citizens through education and professional development. Her work on behalf of children and families has resulted in the development of a model charter school in Camden City that today serves 1,400 students in grades from infants to -16th and has become a hub for serving the families of these children through a number of LEAP portfolio schools in Camden City.
Contributions
In the News
Publications
Argues that higher education can position itself to contribute in a leading way to address unprecedented challenges in the history of Puerto Rico. Shows how the higher education sector represents an important resource and an absolute requirement to advance Puerto Rico towards a new paradigm for economic and social development.
Proposes strategies for the rebuilding of Puerto Rico.
Discusses the intersection of institutions of higher learning and natural disasters to present the opportunity for those institutions to assess their role as anchors of their communities.
Presents a model for how to build and sustain, over a period of twenty years, one of the best urban public schools in the nation, with 100 percent high school and college graduation rates during this period of time. Shares the challenges and obstacles, potential resources, and support of fellow professionals that moved the LEAP academy from a smaller charter school to its top position today.
Conducts research concerning the demographic and social aspects of the aging population in Cuba. Aims to meet the needs and interests of the elder population in Old Havana. Provides an example of the importance of community development, participation, and intergenerational ties in helping improve the health, happiness, and wellbeing of Cuba's elderly.
Discusses evidence of how a school leader transformed Cooper St. into a successful school that produces 100% graduation rate and college placement. Best practices around urban school reform and transformational leadership.