Presenter Bio - Dr. Roland Nuñez

Dr. Roland Nuñez currently serves as Executive Director of Early College Programs at Lake Sumter State College and Statistics Instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

He brings a profound understanding of college success shaped by his own first-generation college experience and extensive research. His commitment to fostering student engagement and achievement is central to his leadership of early college initiatives, designed to provide crucial pathways and support for the transition to higher education. Dr. Nuñez's research focuses on enhancing the college experience, particularly for underrepresented students. He explores innovative pedagogical approaches and the strategic use of media, including fiction and college-produced content, to improve college preparation, socialization, and engagement. His work examines how students, especially those who are first-generation, form college expectations and identifies effective strategies to prepare them for the academic and social environment. Notably, his research on college socialization through fiction demonstrates the power of narrative in shaping anticipatory socialization. He developed a College Readiness Index to quantitatively measure the college readiness of precollegiate students. Furthermore, his scholarship explores the experiences of specific student populations, such as Hispanic college students, investigating their development and meaning making within higher education. This research directly informs his advocacy as President of the nonprofit Hispanics of Lake County Association, where he champions educational opportunities and resources for the local Hispanic community.

Beyond his academic and community leadership, Dr. Nuñez's diverse background as a licensed pilot, published novelist, and business owner provides him with a unique and well-rounded perspective on the multifaceted nature of overcoming barriers. Informed by both his personal journey and his scholarly insights into student development and engagement, Dr. Nuñez is a dedicated advocate for creating supportive and engaging environments that maximize college success for all students. His work in building early college programs directly embodies this commitment to proactively address barriers and cultivate a college-going culture. When not working to advance educational opportunities, he and his wife actively engage with nature through conservation efforts, trail maintenance, and operating a turtle ranch on their property in Florida.