SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC/Conel) has appointed Dr. Andrea R. Ramirez as Executive Director of the Faith & Education Coalition. Dr. Ramirez will oversee key education initiatives for the NHCLC including their annual Education Sunday, the Raising the Standards project, and the Faith & Education Coalition. Dr. Ramirez will also direct strategic planning for the Hispanic Education Summit. She brings to this new role her broad experience as an academic, curriculum developer, and organizational leader. Dr. Carlos Campo, who led the NHCLC’s education initiative for the past year, will continue serving as Chair for the Alliance of Hispanic Education as he assumes a new role as President of Ashland University.

“We are honored to have Dr. Andrea Ramirez step into this vital leadership role,” comments Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President of NHCLC/Conel. “She is uniquely equipped to lead our education initiatives, with a strong academic background as well as a passion for Latino student success. I’m excited to have her skills dedicated at this nexus of biblical justice – the crossroads of faith and education.”

Dr. Ramirez (MBA, PhD in Organizational Leadership) is leading strategic planning for Education Sunday, observed annually on the first Sunday of September (September 6, 2015) in thousands of Hispanic churches. Local church leaders can sign up for Education Sunday and download resources at www.FaithandEducation.com. Ramirez encourages churches to make a difference for their students as they return to school this fall: “In light of the crisis in our country where the quality of children’s education is often dictated by zip code, Education Sunday calls upon the family of faith to get involved. Together we can help close the education equality gap for Hispanic students.”

“Education Sunday is just the beginning. We urge church leaders to go before the Father to ask for wisdom on how to best support students in their local communities,” says Ramirez. “As we commit ourselves to raising the standards for high and equal education across all states, we are empowering the next generation to love the Lord with all of their minds.”

NHCLC/CONEL education initiatives and resources are found online at www.faithandeducation.com, alongside links to Christian university and seminary partners.

NHCLC/CONEL is the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization. It serves as a representative voice for the more than 100 million Hispanic Evangelicals assembled in over 40,000 U.S. churches and another 500,000 congregations spread throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.