University of Phoenix Executive Dean Dennis Bonilla Receives INSIGHT Into Diversity 2017 Inspiring Leaders in STEM Award
August 21 2017 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Bonilla recognized as a minority leader making
a difference in the fields of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics
In recognition of his efforts and accomplishments in inspiring
and encouraging a new generation of students to consider careers in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Dennis
Bonilla, executive dean of the College of Information Systems &
Technology at University of Phoenix®, has received the 2017
Inspiring STEM Leaders award. The award, granted by INSIGHT Into
Diversity Magazine – the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion
publication in higher education – honors professionals from
underrepresented groups who have made a difference in the STEM
fields.
Bonilla, who was born and raised in New York before moving to
Puerto Rico as a young adult, possesses a wealth of experience in
the STEM disciplines. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nuclear
engineering and an MBA in operations sciences. Bonilla’s
professional experience includes Fortune 500 companies, and in the
tech and healthcare industries. As executive dean for University of
Phoenix, he uses his expansive knowledge and industry experience to
enhance the University’s career-relevant educational offerings in
the STEM disciplines.
“Dennis exemplifies University of Phoenix’s goal of providing
access to higher education for working adults of all backgrounds,
and he understands the importance of fostering an interest in tech
education among people of all ages and races,” said Angie Williams,
Ed.D., dean of multicultural affairs and diversity at University of
Phoenix. “This award further recognizes Dennis as an advocate of
STEM education and his contribution toward helping eliminate skills
gap, particularly for minority groups.”
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Bonilla for his
scholarly work and contributions to minority groups, and the IT,
STEM and cybersecurity fields. In addition to serving as a regular
contributor and subject matter expert for tech startup news outlets
and Hispanic business-focused magazines, Bonilla serves as a member
of top Hispanic boards, including the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce board of directors and the Los D-backs Ambassadors
Council. In his professional work, he regularly promotes
collaborative efforts with IT and STEM organizations that reach
underrepresented groups.
One such effort is the launch of the University’s RedFlint
experience center concept. Co-founded by Bonilla and School of
Business Executive Dean Ruth Veloria, RedFlint serves as a hands-on
learning environment that offers technology and STEM-related
workshops to help individuals and businesses educate, incubate and
accelerate.
“Increasing the STEM workforce is a top concern worldwide, yet
these occupations continue to be one of the least diverse, and data
shows little progress for more than a decade. Women, Hispanics and
blacks are severely underrepresented, and will continue to be,
until we change the stigma of STEM careers1,” Bonilla said. “As a
STEM professional from Hispanic descent, I am proud to serve as an
educational leader and inspire others from underrepresented groups
to consider a career in a STEM-related field.”
Award recipients were nominated by a colleague and selected by
INSIGHT Into Diversity, based on their efforts in mentoring,
teaching, research, and their involvement in successful programs
and initiatives. Bonilla will be featured, along with 40 other
recipients, in the September 2017 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity
magazine.
For more information about University of Phoenix diversity
initiatives,
visit http://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/corporate-social-responsibility/diversity.html.
About College of Information Systems and Technology
University of Phoenix College of Information Systems and
Technology is a leader and advocate for the development and
advancement of IT in global business operations. The College offers
associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Its
Faculty Advisory Council, composed of experts and leaders in the
field, ensures curriculum is on pace with national and
international market demands. Providing innovative digital learning
tools developed to suit all learning styles, the College focuses on
building technical knowledge and its successful application to
real-world business environments. For more information, visit
www.phoenix.edu/technology.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working
adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly
changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses,
and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue
career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives.
As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc., University of
Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate,
bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and
learning centers across the U.S., as well as online throughout the
world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
1
https://www.usnews.com/news/stem-solutions/articles/2015/02/24/stem-workforce-no-more-diverse-than-14-years-ago
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University of PhoenixCooper Nelson,
480-323-6453cooper.nelson@phoenix.edu