Meet the Team

Angel B. Pérez, CEO

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Angel B. Pérez, Ph.D. is a globally recognized leader in higher education who is dedicated to expanding access, championing student success, and building a culture of empowered leaders across the profession. As CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, he represents more than 28,000 admission and counseling professionals worldwide, serving as the association's chief voice to government, media, academia, and global partners.  

His leadership reflects a core belief: institutions and the profession thrive when the people within them do. Since his appointment as NACAC CEO in 2020, Pérez has implemented this approach to lead a bold transformation agenda. During his tenure, NACAC has redefined its mission and overhauled governance, doubled its membership, revamped its federal policy and research agendas for greater impact, secured the largest philanthropic investments in its history, and created new programs to cultivate leaders and support the future of the profession, including the Center for Innovation in College Admission. Appointed during the pandemic, he has steered the organization through a challenging political and economic climate for educators.  

At the same time, Pérez has centered hospitality, wellness, and mindfulness at the heart of NACAC's culture. Recognizing the extraordinary challenges facing educators and students today, Pérez has championed the integration of mindfulness and self-care into NACAC's ethos. He introduced wellness and mindfulness practices to both staff and NACAC members — embedding a culture of well-being into the heart of the profession. He speaks and writes often about these approaches as essential tools for sustainable leadership, including in his recent book, The Hottest Seat on Campus: Mastering the Art of Leadership in College Admission (Harvard Education Press) and in his forthcoming podcast, Leaders Are Human. 

A national leader in human flourishing, Pérez is deeply committed to empowering those who support others by coaching and advising leaders in education to navigate complexity while sustaining their own wellbeing. Trained at Stanford to teach its ground-breaking Designing Your Life curriculum, Pérez brought this innovative approach to NACAC, launching a fellowship to help educators and students build lives of meaning and purpose. During his tenure, NACAC's signature events also have evolved with a focus on helping educators do their own inner work to thrive. At NACAC's annual conference, he has interviewed inspiring figures like Jay Shetty, Magic Johnson, and Brene Brown, who have helped members approach their work with greater intention.  

Pérez's passion for educational access and mission-centered work is deeply personal. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in poverty in the South Bronx, he was the first in his family to graduate from college — an experience that fuels his lifelong commitment to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the opportunity to pursue higher education and a purposeful life. Previous roles are a testament to this commitment. Before joining NACAC, Pérez served as a leader at several institutions of higher education, most recently as vice president for enrollment and student success at Trinity College, where his visionary leadership transformed enrollment, retention, student success, and career development. 

A sought-after speaker, writer, and policy advisor, Pérez has helped shape national conversations on the future of higher education. His insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR, PBS NewsHour, CBS Evening News, and more. He advised the Biden-Harris administration on college access and affordability, testified before the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, and served on Forward50, a coalition of higher education leaders who offer policy solutions to Congress. Appointed by the governor of Connecticut to the New England Board of Higher Education, he continues to influence higher education policy across the nation. He is a member of The Wall Street Journal CEO Council, a network of business and policy leaders shaping the future of leadership and innovation.   

Pérez has taught at Trinity College, UCLA, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Rikkyo University in Japan. He has served on the boards of Scholarship America, Berkshire School, United World College in Costa Rica, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, The Institute for College Access and Success, the Washington Higher Education Secretariat, Tuition Exchange, and Hartford Youth Scholars. 

Pérez is the recipient of numerous awards, including Skidmore College's highest honor for diversity leadership. He was recently named one of the most influential voices in international education by the news outlet, The PIE. In addition to his book, The Hottest Seat on Campus, he is the co-author of a chapter in the forthcoming book, Mental Health in College (Harvard Education Press). A Fulbright Scholar, he holds a B.S. from Skidmore College, M.A. from Columbia University, Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University, and a certification in higher education pedagogy from Harvard University's Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. 

The Hottest Seat on Campus
A Roadmap for Mastering Leadership in College Admission

Messages from the CEO

Time to Honor and Celebrate the Immeasurable Contributions of David Hawkins

A critical moment for our work – and our resolve

NACAC is with you and here for you

Message from NACAC CEO to Member Leaders About Federal Policy Changes

A Call to Action for the NACAC Community, from NACAC's Board of Directors and CEO

NACAC statement on FAFSA processing delay

NACAC announces initiatives to evolve admission processes, develop workforce at State of the Association

Message from the CEO on the US Supreme Court Decision