Larry Calderon Honored for Exceptional Leadership in the Hispanic Community

Citing his extraordinary contributions to the South Florida Hispanic community, Comcast Cable/South Florida Region recently named NSU Vice President Larry Calderon, Ed.D., as the recipient of the Dream Big Award.

In its inaugural year, the Dream Big Award was presented during Hispanic Heritage month to exceptional leaders whose pivotal roles and tireless efforts in the Hispanic community enhanced the lives of many. Other outstanding leaders honored included:

Field of Education:
Eduardo J. Padrón

Community Leaders:
Guarione M. Diaz and Lilliam Lopez

Immeasurable Contributions to our Community and for Honorable Service Rendered:
Mayor Manny Diaz and Modesto Madique

Calderon joined NSU in 2006. Prior to that, he served as a community college president for thirteen years, first as president of Ventura College, Ventura California and most recently was the president of Broward College.

As NSU’s Vice President of Community and Governmental Affairs, Calderon has brought in millions of dollars in federal grants to provide college scholarships to deserving students, as well as creating new educational programs for them. Calderon was instrumental in NSU being named as a U.S. Department of Education Hispanic-Serving Institution. Under this program, NSU received Title V grants in excess of $8 million. The university has been able to use the grants to expand their capacity to serve undergraduate Hispanic and need based students. In addition, the most recent award will provide for the development of a new Doctoral Fellows Program with a concentration in Strategic Transformational Leadership.