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Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D.

Higher Education Leader, Board Director, Trustee, Advocate, First-Gen College Graduate

Oakland, CA, USA

Shirley Collado

Cancer Research Institute

Goldman Sachs International

Shirley Collado’s Biography

Dr. Shirley M. Collado is a nationally recognized higher education leader, executive, and advocate, committed to advancing access, equity, and institutional transformation across U.S. colleges and universities.

She was appointed President and CEO of College Track in 2022, the most comprehensive college program in the United States. She led the implementation of a new redesign of its 10-year program for first-generation students. She has driven a major initiative featuring a $20 million partnership with the Baltimore Ravens and M&T Bank to establish the Baltimore Ravens College Track Center.

A first-generation college graduate, the first person of color to serve as President of Ithaca College, and the first Dominican-American to lead as president of a four-year college in the USA, Dr. Collado steered Ithaca College from 2017 to 2021. She launched its strategic plan, Ithaca Forever, focused on student success, financial sustainability, and inclusive excellence during her tenure.

Dr. Collado has held influential leadership and governance roles across higher education and non-profits,... Dr. Shirley M. Collado is a nationally recognized higher education leader, executive, and advocate, committed to advancing access, equity, and institutional transformation across U.S. colleges and universities.

She was appointed President and CEO of College Track in 2022, the most comprehensive college program in the United States. She led the implementation of a new redesign of its 10-year program for first-generation students. She has driven a major initiative featuring a $20 million partnership with the Baltimore Ravens and M&T Bank to establish the Baltimore Ravens College Track Center.

A first-generation college graduate, the first person of color to serve as President of Ithaca College, and the first Dominican-American to lead as president of a four-year college in the USA, Dr. Collado steered Ithaca College from 2017 to 2021. She launched its strategic plan, Ithaca Forever, focused on student success, financial sustainability, and inclusive excellence during her tenure.

Dr. Collado has held influential leadership and governance roles across higher education and non-profits, including a decade of board service with Vanderbilt University. She was named Trustee Emerita upon the conclusion of her tenure with this board.

Demonstrating her dedication to serving communities, Shirley sits on the boards at Excelencia in Education, IntermediaryEd (previously ACT), Kids First Chicago, National Association for College Admission Counseling, StarRez, and is a founding member of Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences’ Commission on Opportunities After High School, and serves as honorary chair of the Mariposa Foundation.

Born and raised in Brooklyn as the daughter of Dominican immigrant parents, Shirley graduated from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor's degree, and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology at Duke University. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Shirley Collado’s Newsfeed

ABC News

How Kevin Durant's mom is helping 1st-generation college students

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College Track

Shirley Collado: College Track CEO Looks Ahead to 2026

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Shirley Collado’s Background

College Track

President & CEO

Jan 2022 - Present

Oakland, CA, USA

College Track empowers students from underserved communities through the completion of a comprehensive decade-long college program to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Ithaca College

President Emerita

Sep 2022 - Present

Dr. Collado was recognized for her services to Ithaca College with her appointment as President Emerita, a lifetime honor and distinction.

Ithaca College

Senior Advisor to Board of Trustees

Aug 2021 - Jan 2022

Ithaca, NY, USA

Originally founded as a music school, Ithaca College is a private residential institution best known for combining academic theory with hands-on, professional practice. Ithaca is home to approximately 4,700 students and offers 70 majors across five schools, emphasizing a collaborative, and creative learning environment, specializing in communications, music, and health sciences.

Ithaca College

President

Jul 2017 - Aug 2021

Ithaca, NY, USA

Rutgers University

Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer

Jan 2015 - May 2017

New Brunswick, NJ, USA

The state university of New Jersey, Rutgers University is regarded as a premier public research university, with its flagship campus located in New Brunswick, and further major campuses in Newark and Camden.

Middlebury College

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of the College

Jul 2010 - Jan 2015

Middlebury, VT, USA

Dating back to 1800, Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college in Middlebury, Vermont.

Lafayette College

Vice President for Institutional Planning and Community Engagement

Jan 2009 - May 2010

Easton, PA, USA

Overlooking the historic Delaware River in Easton, Lafayette College is a tradition-rich liberal arts college.

Middlebury College

Vice President for Institutional Planning and Diversity

Jul 2007 - Dec 2008

Middlebury, VT, USA

Middlebury College

Dean for Institutional Diversity

Jan 2007 - Jun 2007

Middlebury, VT, USA

The Posse Foundation, Inc.

Executive Vice President

Apr 2001 - Dec 2006

New York, NY, USA

The Posse Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization that aligns with colleges and universities throughout the United States to provide student scholarships and leadership training. To date, Posse has partnered with more than sixty colleges and universities.

The Posse Foundation, Inc.

National Program Director

Apr 2001 - Dec 2002

New York, NY, USA

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Shirley Collado’s Gallery

Shirley M. Collado photographed with College Track team.

Group photo with Shirley Collado at NACAC Conference 2025.

Shirley M. Collado at Golden State Warriors’ Educator Night.

Shirley M. Collado and friends at the Golden State Warriors’ Educator Night.

Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D.

Shirley Collado on stage at the National Association for College Admission Counseling's conference 2025.

Shirley M. Collado smiling, seated on stage.

Shirley M. Collado at College Track's Annual Benefit in 2025.

Shirley Collado, Ph.D. and Chancellor Juan Muñoz at the University of California Merced's Class graduation.

Shirley M. Collado photographed with College Track team.

Group photo with Shirley Collado at NACAC Conference 2025.

Shirley M. Collado at Golden State Warriors’ Educator Night.

Shirley M. Collado and friends at the Golden State Warriors’ Educator Night.

Shirley M. Collado, Ph.D.

Shirley Collado on stage at the National Association for College Admission Counseling's conference 2025.

Shirley M. Collado smiling, seated on stage.

Shirley M. Collado at College Track's Annual Benefit in 2025.

Shirley Collado, Ph.D. and Chancellor Juan Muñoz at the University of California Merced's Class graduation.

Board Positions

Vanderbilt University

Trustee Emerita

Jul 2024 - Present

Nashville, TN, USA

In recognition of her decade-long service as Trustee to Vanderbilt University, Dr. Collado was honored with the title of Trustee Emerita.

National Association for College Admission Counseling

Board of Directors

2024 - Present

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is a membership organization with more than 28K professionals as members globally, dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing tertiary education.

IntermediaryEd

Board of Directors

2022 - Present

Formerly known as ACT, Inc., IntermediaryEd serves educators and learners by supporting them to reach their potential utilizing improved college and career pathways.

Excelencia in Education

Board of Directors

2022 - Present

Washington, DC, USA

Excelencia in Education advocates for accelerating success among Latino students to close gaps in degree attainment.

StarRez

Board of Directors

2022 - Present

Greenwood Village, CO, USA

StarRez is a platform for residential communities, a useful tool to manage residents and property and help the community to thrive.

Kids First Chicago

Board Member

2022 - Present

Chicago, IL, USA

Kids First Chicago is an education non-profit that unifies Black and Latino families with the aim to create stronger public schools to support all children in Chicago.

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Advisory Roles

Mariposa DR Foundation

Honorary Chair

The Mariposa DR Foundation's mission is to end generational poverty through educating and empowering girls to become leaders in their families and communities.

The Flight School

Advisor

The Flight School is a kind of 'finishing school' that reimagines the transition to adulthood as a rite of passage. The school reimagines the gap year as a launch year - to take off in flight! Emerging adults are received at the threshold between high school the next phase and The Flight School creates the right conditions for transformation.

Previous Board Positions

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB)

Council of Presidents

2018 - 2021

Washington, DC, USA

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the governing boards in higher education. AGB provides consulting, research, and resources to assist trustees and executives in improving governance and leadership.

Vanderbilt University

Trustee

2014 - 2024

Nashville, TN, USA

Shirley served as a Trustee at her alma mater for a decade. Vanderbilt University is a private research university with a liberal community dedicated to civil discourse and free expression.

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Previous Advisory Roles

Association of American Colleges and Universities

The Presidents' Trust

2018 - 2021

Washington, DC, USA

The American Association of Colleges and Universities is a global membership organization committed to advancing the democratic purposes of higher education through the promotion of equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education.

Media

Women of Color Rise | Shirley Collado speaks to Analiza Wolf

Podcast

Nov 2024

Shirley Collado, President and CEO of College Track, in conversation with Analiza Wolf on how to 'See Your Identity as a Superpower'.

Memberships

Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Senior Fellow, Co-Chair, Carnegie Postsecondary Commission

Oct 2022 - Present

Stanford, CA, USA

The Carnegie Foundation aims to bring about transformational change in the education sector to enable all students to live a healthy, dignified and fulfilling life.

Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

Founding Member

2017 - Present

Washington, DC, USA

An alliance of college and university leaders in the United States, the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration is dedicated to increasing public understanding of how the policies and practices related to immigration impact their students, campuses, and student communities.

Awards & Recognition

Lycoming College

Honorary Doctorate

2025

2025 Global MindED Award

Winner

Jul 2025

Dr. Collado is celebrated for her exceptional contributions to higher education, equity, and leadership. She is recognized for her advancement of inclusive excellence, empowerment of underrepresented communities, and for driving systemic change within academic institutions. She is regarded as a true change agent in education, thanks to her leadership and dedication to fostering inclusive environments and championing the next generation of leaders.

Speaking Engagements

Emerson Collective | Shirley M. Collado Ph.D.

Video

Dec 2022

View Shirley's presentation at Emerson Collective's Demo Day in 2022.

Shirley Collado’s Education

Duke University

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

1996 - 1999

Duke University

M.A. in Clinical Psychology

1994 - 1996

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