Mariposa Welcomes Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D. as Co-Honorary Chairwoman

Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D.

Julia Alvarez

Dr. Collado joins Alvarez as Co-Honorary Chairwoman!

We are thrilled to begin a new chapter as we welcome a remarkable and prominent Dominican educator and supporter of the girl movement to the Mariposa Community. It is an absolute privilege to welcome Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer of College Track and President Emerita of Ithaca College, as Co-Honorary Chairwoman alongside Dominican heroine and author, Julia Alvarez.

Amongst many of Dr. Collado’s impressive accomplishments, she is the first Dominican-American in the United States to serve as president of a four-year institution and the first Posse scholar to receive a doctoral degree. Dr. Collado’s leadership and distinction comes at a momentous time for the organization. “For 25 years, College Track has been dedicated to democratizing potential by equipping first-generation scholars to earn a bachelor’s degree and pursue a life of opportunity, choice, and power.” says Dr. Collado. Here at the Mariposa DR Foundation this year, 2023, marked the first time in our history that three exceptional young Mariposa graduates earned bachelor’s degrees from four-year institutions in the United States. We are beyond proud of their accomplishments, but even more excited to watch the next generation of Mariposa girls transform the lives they once knew.

Passionate and empowered educators and leaders, we are ecstatic to honor the inspirational and brilliant duo of Julia Alvarez and Dr. Shirley M. Collado as role models to our Mariposa girls and mentors to our leadership. Alvarez and Dr. Collado’s combined knowledge, experience, and dedication to the field of education is a source of pride and inspiration for those of us here in the Dominican Republic and we are extremely lucky and grateful to have them on our team.  

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Collado!

Sincerely, 

Patricia Thorndike Suriel

Founder and Executive Director