https://eddy-chavez.com/
Consulting services
Please reach out thru ecartproductions@gmail.com for Consulting Services on ESOL and Modern Languages, High Education and Social Programs; Management of Federal, State and Local Contracts; Budget; Government Affairs; Art Production or Artistic Collaboration.
Eduardo "Eddy" Chavez
Professional Resume
Eduardo Chavez
Professional Summary
Executive leader with 25+ years of experience in higher education program development, strategic leadership, management and stakeholder engagement, committed to expanding educational opportunities for students. Proven track record in leading large-scale, federally funded programs ($140M+), impacting over 75,000 students, and managing high-performing teams (120+ staff). Adept at building and leveraging partnerships at local, state, and national levels, with a deep commitment to student success and equitable access. Bilingual in Spanish and English. Artistic Production.
Experience
EC Art Productions @ https://eddy-chavez.com/ Present
Education, Consulting, Art Production.
Executive Director, REVEST Program (Refugee/Entrant Vocational Education, Services and Training) | Miami Dade College, Miami, FL | July 2002 – July 2025
· Led comprehensive strategic planning and execution for educational and vocational programs, successfully propelling student access and outcomes for refugee population in Miami-Dade County.
· Developed curriculum and supervised educational offerings on ESOL, Vocational Training programs like College Credit Certificates, Continuing Workforce Education, Career Technical Certificates, etc., while providing support services to secure successful students’ entry to work force (Program Mission).
· Directed high-performing, cross-functional teams to achieve ambitious program goals, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence across internal and external stakeholders.
· Utilized data and evidence to set program goals, evaluate strategies, and drive continuous improvement, informing progress and addressing barriers with local, state, and federal partners.
· Ensured rigorous grant compliance and financial oversight for over $140M in federally funded initiatives while achieving demanding contract deliverables of service.
· Cultivated and maintained robust relationships with key educational institutions, government agencies, at Local, State and Federal level, and community partners to enhance program reach and impact.
· Led policy development, system-wide initiatives for expanding access to diverse student groups
Intake Coordinator / Assistant Manager, REVEST Program| Miami Dade College, Miami, FL | February 2000 – June 2002
· Developed, designed and coordinated comprehensive intake processes for 5,000+ students per term, significantly facilitating their access to critical educational and support services, and laying the foundation for their academic and professional success per specific contract language requirements.
· Contributed to staff development and training initiatives, directly supporting the efficient operation and growth of large-scale educational programs.
English Language Instructor, GREAT Program | Miami Dade College, Miami, FL | 1998 – 2000
· Delivered English instruction to refugees as part of the Guantanamo Refugee Education and Assistance Program (GREAT), developing targeted lesson plans addressing literacy and cultural integration.
Spanish Instructor (Graduate Scholarship Recipient)| Florida International University, Miami, FL | 1996 – 1998
· Taught undergraduate Spanish courses while pursuing graduate degrees, designing course materials and evaluating student performance.
Education
Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Spanish Language and Literature at Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL | 1996 – 1998
· Completed BA and MA degrees with advanced coursework in grammar, linguistics, literary theory, and comparative literature.
· Successfully completed 80% of PhD-level coursework.
Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature at University of Havana, Havana, Cuba | 1987 – 1990
· Completed 4 years of a 5-year program with focus on literature, academic writing, and linguistics.
Skills
Core Competencies:
· Consulting: Strategic & Inclusive Leadership: Proven ability to set clear priorities, build effective team structures, and foster a culture of belonging and high performance across large-scale educational programs.
· Program & Project Management: Expertise in designing, executing, and revising high-impact initiatives to achieve measurable goals, with a track record of scaling effective efforts.
· Data-Driven Decision Making: Skilled in utilizing data and evidence to set goals, evaluate strategies, and identify opportunities for resource optimization and continuous improvement.
· Higher Education and College Access Expertise: Over 25 years of experience in higher education program administration, with a deep understanding of student pathways and access initiatives.
· Stakeholder and Constituent Engagement: Strong relationships and a track-record of effective outreach to and engagement with campus decision-makers and influential stakeholders to drive collaborative outcomes.
· Grant and Fiscal Management: Comprehensive experience in managing multi-million dollar federally funded programs and ensuring rigorous compliance and reporting.
· Communication & Storytelling: Outstanding communication skills(written and verbal), capable of conveying complex ideas and compelling others to action across diverse audiences.
· Team Leadership and Development:25+ years of performing as a team leader/management role with a proven ability to drive performance and growth, provide real-time feedback, and coach team members to achieve meaningful impact.
Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, student tracking systems, current research and monitoring of AI platforms.
Languages: Native Spanish, Fluent English, Proficient Italian.
Community Leadership & Board Service
· Board Member, Florida Survivors of Torture Organization
· Board Member & Treasurer, Earth Learning – ecological sustainability and education
· Advisory Board Member, FUNDarte – international nonprofit promoting artistic expression
Additional Information
· Hobbies and Interests: Music composition (guitar, harmonic and digital music production), writing, sailing, hiking, outdoor exploration. Visit https://eddy-chavez.com/
· Passionate about cultural exchange, education, and community empowerment. Humanist.
References upon request