Oct. 16, 2026

LIVE from the 2026 Lumina Foundation State Policy Retreat - with ⁠⁠Cindy Nava⁠, Senator & Majority Whip,⁠ New Mexico State Senate⁠, & ⁠Deborah Santiago⁠, Co-founder & CEO, ⁠Excelencia in Education⁠

Key Takeaways

Recorded live from the 2026 Lumina Foundation State Policy Retreat in Philadelphia, this episode features powerful discussions on higher education policy, equity, and leadership with Cindy Nava and Deborah Santiago.
Cindy Nava shares her groundbreaking journey as a former DACA recipient making history as a Senator and Majority Whip in the New Mexico State Senate.
Deborah Santiago, Co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education, highlights the critical distinction between simply enrolling Latino students and truly serving them for long-term success.
The guests explore how educational leaders can maintain their core purpose and vision while driving impactful policy changes at the state level.
Dr. Jodi Blinco guest-hosts this inspiring episode, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and inclusive educational environments.

It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Cindy Nava, Senator & Majority Whip, New Mexico State Senate, District 9, & Deborah Santiago, Co-founder & CEO, Excelencia in Education

In this episode, recorded LIVE from the 2026⁠ Lumina Foundation⁠ State Policy Retreat in Philadelphia,

YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Jodi Blinco⁠

What happens when a former DACA recipient makes history in the New Mexico State Senate?
Why is there a difference between enrolling a Latino student & actually serving them?
How do you lead without losing sight of why you started?

Listen in to #EdUp

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Cindy Nava?

Cindy Nava is a Senator and Majority Whip in the New Mexico State Senate who made history as a former DACA recipient serving in the legislature.

What is Excelencia in Education?

Excelencia in Education is an organization co-founded by Deborah Santiago that accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting data-informed practices and institutional accountability.