Since January 1, 2015, Henry L. Fernandez has been employed by Complete College America, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit corporation with a single mission: to work with states to significantly increase the number of Americans with quality career certificates or college degrees and to close attainment gaps for traditionally underrepresented populations. As vice president for development and communications, Fernandez enhances college-student persistence and degree completion by managing and coordinating relationships with the organization’s sponsors.

Fernandez brings to Complete College America more than 30 years of experience in education. Prior to his current position, Fernandez administered grants and scholarship programs for nearly 20 years for a foundation and for two corporate-affairs departments, enhancing opportunities for tens of thousands of students to enter and complete postsecondary education institutions. In addition to planning, awarding, and managing grants to postsecondary institutions and non-profit organizations, Fernandez built and strengthened partnerships with policymakers and their associations to expand college opportunities for students, especially low-income and under-represented groups.

His previous experience also includes service as director of the Peace Corps Fellows Program, as well as work as program administrator for Teachers College, Columbia University. Earlier in his career, he served as an elementary-school principal and teacher. Fernandez received a doctoral degree in education and three master’s degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University. He completed his undergraduate studies at Queens College of the City University of New York. Fernandez has been on the Hispanic Business magazine’s list of 100 most influential Latinos and has been recognized by the National Football League and the Indiana Latino Institute for his work with the Latino community. Fernandez has served on a number of boards, including those for the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Advocates for Youth, Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township (Indianapolis), Grantmakers for Education, National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials Educational Fund, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. He is an alumnus of the CHCI Fellowship program.