2024 Walter O. Mason Jr. Award Recipient Lydia Perez

Originally broadcast on Monday, September 9, 2024
Lydia Perez is a dedicated and accomplished leader in the field of educational equity and TRIO programs. Currently serving as the program director for the TRIO Student Support Services Programs (Classic and STEM) at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona, Perez’s impact on student success and empowerment is profound. An alumna of the TRIO Upward Bound program at Arizona State University, she began her career there and worked in various capacities for 17 years. Her roles ranged from tutor to project director, demonstrating her deep commitment to guiding students through their educational journeys. Since 2016, Perez has overseen the TRIO Student Support Services Program at Mesa Community College, expanding her influence in 2020 to include TRIO Student Support Services - STEM. Perez holds a Ph.D. in managing organizational systems from Saybrook University, where she was honored with the Excellence in Leadership and Service Award in 2022. Her research focuses on servant leadership, human thriving, and the success of first-generation students and professionals. With a Master of Science degree in community counseling from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Arizona State University, Perez combines her academic expertise with a passion for fostering belonging, thriving, and empowerment in all her endeavors. Her extensive involvement with the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel (WESTOP) includes over 20 years on the board of directors, serving as president, past president, and president-elect. Perez’s contributions to WESTOP and TRIO have earned her numerous accolades, including the Steve Holeman Award in 2017 and the WESTOP TRIO Achievers Award in 1997. In addition to her work with TRIO, Perez coordinated the ACE (Achieving a College Education) program at Paradise Valley Community College, a scholarship initiative that enables low-income, first-generation students to earn college credits while still in high school. Her experience also extends to community counseling, where she served as a family therapist with La Frontera - EMPACT Suicide Prevention Center in Maricopa, Arizona. Lydia Perez’s commitment to the unlimited potential of all people and the power of opportunity is rooted in the foundation set by her family, friends, community, and her experiences with TRIO. Her work continues to inspire and empower countless students, making a lasting impact on their lives and futures.