Dr. Maritza E. González is the current Executive Officer for Equity & Diversity at Metro Nashville Public Schools. She was born in El Salvador and came to the United States at the age of 6. She was the first in her family to graduate high school and to pursue higher education. Dr. González attended the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned the College Park Scholar’s Public Leadership Program Citation, a Bachelor of Science degree in General Business with an International Business specialization, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies, a Master’s degree in Education Leadership & Policy Studies, and her Ph.D. degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy. She was previous Diversity Officer particularly working on Latino Affairs for Prince George’s County Public Schools. She has been a research assistant in various projects related to ELLs across elementary schools in the Mid-Atlantic area, served as a Latino/a Parent Empowerment Liaison at a local middle school, coordinated a mentoring program for graduate students of color in STEM field, and was Education Assistant at the Library of Congress as well as at the Office of Presidential Libraries within the National Archives and Records Administration.  She taught a course on Leadership in Family, School & Community Partnerships as an Adjunct Professor at Trinity University and facilitated English Conversation classes for Spanish speaking adults at a faith based organization. Dr. González was appointed by Governor O’Malley and served on the Universal Design for Learning Task force, and was selected as the recipient of the Carolina Rojas-Bahr Outstanding Latina/o Graduate Award for her commitment to the University of Maryland and the surrounding community. Additionally, she has co-lead two trips to rural communities in El Salvador through International Partners, a non-profit organization.