COLLEGE TRACK USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AS RODOLFO “RUDY” ELIZONDO IS NAMED NEW CHIEF OF EDUCATION

Oakland, CA (January 22, 2025) – College Track, the leading organization dedicated to supporting the academic and personal growth of first-generation and underserved students, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rodolfo “Rudy” Elizondo as its new Chief of Education. Elizondo’s extensive background in educational leadership and his commitment to educational equity position him as a significant addition to the College Track team. Currently the Chief Instructional Officer for Alliance College-Ready Public Schools overseeing 26 middle and high schools and nearly 13,000 scholars, Elizando will begin his new role at College Track on March 10.

Having devoted over two decades to leadership roles within public education and nonprofit sectors, Elizondo’s experience is complemented by an educational philosophy that champions real-world engagement and problem-solving. His approach underscores the importance of equipping students with both academic knowledge and the ability to apply learning in meaningful, real-world contexts. This philosophy mirrors College Track’s commitment to not just academic preparation, but also to equipping students as agents of change within their communities and our nation..

Upon taking the helm, Elizondo has outlined a clear vision for his initial focus, aligning closely with the mission and values of College Track to include strengthening cohesion across the 13 communities we serve, enhancing scholar outcomes, building trust and collaboration and promoting innovation.

“I stand here not because I always believed I belonged, but because I came to realize I needed to be here—for my community, for our scholars, and for the transformative power of education,“ said Rodolfo Elizondo. “Together, we will change the narrative—not about the ‘lucky few,’ but about an unstoppable collective lifting each other toward a future where every story is celebrated, every potential realized, and every scholar empowered to lead.”

“Rudy believes, as fiercely as all of us do at College Track, in the intrinsic value of education as a pathway toward social, financial, and professional mobility,” said Dr. Shirley M. Collado, College Track’s president and CEO. “He actualizes that belief in service of our nation’s young people through his wide-ranging expertise in education, his demonstrated capacity as a strong, thoughtful leader, and his lived experience as a first-generation Mexican-American. I look forward to working arm-in-arm with Rudy to continue College Track’s movement toward educational equity.”

Beyond his tangible successes as CIO, Elizondo is deeply committed to continuous learning and leadership enhancement. This commitment is evidenced by his recent completion of the Broad Fellowship for Public Education Leadership at the Yale School of Management, the Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship, and specialized training in Culturally Responsive Principal Supervision from the NYC Leadership Academy. His academic foundation includes a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bard College, and a School Building Leader Degree from Baruch College.

Elizondo’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for College Track, as the organization continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact on student success. His leadership will play a critical role in guiding the organization’s educational strategies, enhancing program outcomes and forging new partnerships.

About College Track

College Track’s mission is to democratize potential by equipping students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor’s degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, choice, purpose, and power. Today, more than 4,000 College Track high school and college students from underserved communities in California, Colorado, Louisiana, and the D.C. Metro Area are moving toward their goal to become the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Across the nation, our 1,100 alumni embody a vision of equity rooted in possibility and progress. Ninety percent of our students are first-generation college students, and 84 percent are from underserved communities. They earn their bachelor’s degrees at more than two and a half times the rate of their first-generation peers.

To learn more about College Track and the impactful work being done to support first-generation and underserved students, visit collegetrack.org.