Efraín Rivas-Flores, Director of College Access, Portland Community College

Efraín Rivas-Flores is a proud Mexican, former seasonal farmworker, and first-generation college graduate who has devoted over two decades to advancing equity across the K–16 public education system. His career began as an instructional assistant in K–12 schools and has since evolved into a leadership role as Dean of College Access at Portland Community College, an inspiring journey shaped by resilience, cultural pride, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Efraín has worked across various educational settings to design and lead transformative, student-centered initiatives that advance equity and belonging for mixed-status students, immigrant families, and first-generation college students. At Portland Community College, he co-chairs the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Task Force and leads a portfolio of access programs that support underrepresented communities. These include the nationally recognized College Access Latinx Initiative (CALI), the DREAMers Resource Center, La Bienvenida —a culturally grounded program that supports Latinx students and their families as they transition into higher education, the High School Equivalency Program (HEP), the Margaret Carter Skill Center, and Yes to College.  Efraín also served as the co-founder and Vice President of the Mente Summit, a culturally specific summit focused on empowering and uplifting Latine males in education and leadership.

Widely recognized for centering community in his leadership, Efraín creates programs that reflect the voices and lived experiences of those most impacted by systemic inequities. His work is grounded in compassion, purpose, and a fierce belief in the power of collective action to reimagine public education.

From the fields of Jalisco, México, to the front lines of educational equity, Efrain’s story is a powerful testament to what is possible when community, culture, and courage come together.