Kansas Hispanic Education & Development Foundation

10/03/2026

KHEDF was proud to be represented at the 2026 KHLAAC Latino Leadership Summit, where our Executive Director, Pablo Estrada Cruz, participated in a panel discussion on Higher Educational Pathways.

The conversation focused on the challenges students and families continue to face as they navigate higher education, financial aid, career pathways, belonging, and access to the resources needed to succeed.

Pablo joined Hugo Pérez, Clarissa Carrillo, and Logan DeMond for a timely discussion about how organizations, institutions, and communities can better support students across Kansas.

The summit also included recognition from Governor Laura Kelly, who proclaimed September 15 through October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across Kansas.

At KHEDF, this work is at the heart of our mission. We remain committed to removing barriers, expanding access to higher education and career opportunities, and helping first-generation students and families build pathways toward long-term success.

Thank you to the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission for bringing leaders from across the state together for these important conversations.

09/29/2026

🎓 NEWTON — JOIN US TONIGHT!

Have questions about FAFSA, financial aid, or digital skills? KHEDF is here to help! High school seniors and adults are welcome.

📅 Tonight — Tuesday, September 29
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Newton Fire Station 3
2520 S Kansas Ave, Newton, KS 67114

🌎 Assistance available in English & Spanish.

Come with questions. Leave with a plan. 💛

📣 PLEASE SHARE! Tag a student, parent, friend, or Newton-area family who could benefit. Help us get the word out!

09/19/2026

KHEDF is at Latinfest-ICT

We’re excited to be out in the community celebrating Wichita’s Latino culture and connecting with students, families, and community partners.

If you’re at LatinFest today, come by the KHEDF tent and say hello! Learn more about our scholarships, college and career readiness programs, and the support we provide students from high school through college and into the workforce.

We’d love to meet you, answer your questions, and share more about how KHEDF can support you or someone you know.

Stop by our tent and visit the KHEDF team today!

09/18/2026

72 students. One day. Years of support ahead. 🎓

KHEDF’s Tu Futuro at Garden City Community College brought together 72 students from Garden City and Ulysses for a day focused on college, financial aid, career pathways, and helping students tell their stories through college essays.

But Tu Futuro is more than a one-day event. For KHEDF, this is the beginning of a relationship.

Our work is about walking alongside students throughout their journey — from high school and college readiness, to scholarships and financial aid, through college completion, and ultimately into careers and the workforce.

We’re proud of our KHEDF team — Robert DeLeon, Program Coordinator; Bri Houston, Operations & Development Manager; and Angie Estrada, College Readiness Manager — for making this day possible and continuing that work with students beyond the event.

Thank you to Garden City Community College, our school partners, presenters, educators, and volunteers for investing in the future of these students alongside us.

One day can open a door. Years of support can help a student walk through it.

That’s how we turn college dreams into college degrees — and degrees into careers.

09/12/2026

KHEDF was proud to be out in Garden City today connecting with the community!

A big shoutout to our Southwest Kansas Program Coordinator, Robert DeLeon, for representing KHEDF and continuing to build relationships across Southwest Kansas.

Special thanks to Angeles for volunteering and helping make today possible — and, of course, Robert had his #1 fans by his side: his grandsons! ❤️

We’re grateful for everyone who continues to show up and help us connect students and families with opportunities throughout Southwest Kansas.

09/12/2026

KHEDF was proud to be out in Garden City today connecting with the community!

A big shoutout to our Southwest Kansas Program Coordinator, Robert DeLeon, for representing KHEDF and continuing to build relationships across Southwest Kansas.

Special thanks to Angeles for volunteering and helping make today possible and, of course, Robert had his #1 fans by his side: his grandsons! ❤️

We’re grateful for everyone who continues to show up and help us connect students and families with opportunities throughout Southwest Kansas.

08/12/2026

We’re proud to partner with GraceMed to invest in the next generation of healthcare professionals. These laptops were made possible through our Advancing Digital Opportunities to Promote Technology (ADOPT) 2.0 initiative, administered by the Kansas Office of Broadband Development through the Kansas Department of Commerce.

This investment is about more than providing technology, it’s about removing barriers, creating opportunities, and ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed in their education and future careers.

Thank you to GraceMed for your partnership and for the incredible work you’re doing to strengthen our healthcare workforce. Together, we’re creating pathways from education to meaningful careers in our community!

Supporting education means investing in the future of healthcare.

Thanks to the generosity of the Kansas Hispanic Education and Development Foundation, GraceMed's Dental Assistant Apprentices received laptops to support their education and professional growth. These resources will help our apprentices continue developing the skills they need as they prepare for careers serving our community.

We're grateful to the Hispanic Education and Development Foundation for this meaningful investment and to everyone who helped make this partnership possible, including Nancy Dulling, GraceMed Director of Development; Monique Garcia, Grant Writer; Lindsey Easley, Director of Dental Operations and Clinical Education; and Pablo Cruz, Executive Director of the Kansas Hispanic Education and Development Foundation.

Together, partnerships like these help create opportunities, strengthen our workforce, and support the next generation of healthcare professionals. 🦷💻

06/21/2026

Gracias, Rommy. 💙 Siempre es un gusto contar con personas comprometidas con nuestra comunidad. Gracias por acompañarnos y por celebrar a nuestros estudiantes; juntos seguimos abriendo puertas y creando oportunidades para la próxima generación.

06/20/2026

🏆 2026 Making a Difference Award Recipient: Garcia Group LLC

Transforming lives requires more than vision, it requires partners who help make that vision possible.

Garcia Group LLC has been instrumental in helping KHEDF secure critical grant funding that has expanded our programs, strengthened our organizational capacity, and increased opportunities for students and families across Kansas. Their expertise, guidance, and commitment to our mission have helped position KHEDF for sustainable growth and greater impact.

Because of their partnership, more students have access to the resources, support, and opportunities needed to achieve their educational and career goals.

We are honored to recognize Garcia Group LLC as a recipient of the 2026 KHEDF Making a Difference Award.

Thank you for your partnership, your dedication, and your investment in the future of our students and communities.

06/20/2026

🏆 2026 Making a Difference Award Recipient: Rodney Dimmick

Great mentors don’t just offer advice—they invest in people.

Through his work with Butler Community College’s College Relations and Marketing team, and through his personal commitment to student success, Rodney Dimmick has gone above and beyond in supporting KHEDF Scholars, generously sharing his time, experience, and encouragement to help students navigate their educational and professional journeys. His commitment to mentorship has empowered young people to build confidence, pursue their goals, and realize their potential.

Through his leadership and genuine dedication to student success, Rodney has made a lasting impact on the lives of our scholars and the future leaders they are becoming.

We are proud to recognize Rodney Dimmick as a recipient of the 2026 KHEDF Making a Difference Award.

Thank you, Rodney, for your mentorship, your service, and your unwavering commitment to the next generation.