Gilberto Pérez Jr.

As vice president for student life, Gilberto Pérez, Jr. provides direction and leadership to a number of student-centered services including residence life; campus ministries; counseling and health; athletics; student leadership; diversity, equity and inclusion; international students; and career networks. He serves as a liaison among administrators, teaching faculty, parents and students. Perez communicates with parents and other necessary parties to address students’ personal and academic development. He serves broader campus community on select committees that address academic, institution and constituency concerns. He supports the larger learning environment through development of policies and programs promoting the personal growth of students within the college’s mission and values. Perez also assist offices in the interpretation and compliance of federal laws and guidelines, such as Title IX, FERPA, American Disability Act and contributed to successful reaccreditation process by the Higher Learning Commission.

Pérez has served as associate professor of social work at Goshen College since 2012 and became senior director of intercultural development and educational partnerships in the college’s Center for Intercultural and International Education in 2014. Prior to coming to Goshen College, Pérez was employed at Northeastern Center, a community mental health center in Northeast Indiana. There he worked on authoring the Bienvenido curriculum, a nationally recognized mental health promotion curriculum for Latino immigrants that addresses access to mental health services, increased knowledge of mental health and increased sense of belonging for Latinos in their respective communities. The curriculum has been implemented in 13 cities in Indiana and is available in 14 states across the United States.

Pérez’s social work experiences include hospice social work, emergency social services 911 and community mental health. He also serves as a Goshen City Council member representing District 5.