Braulio Colón, FCAN’s Executive Director
Florida College Access Network is excited to welcome a familiar face as its new executive director!
Braulio Colón brings to FCAN more than 20 years of professional experience in education community work as a non-profit executive, grant-maker, and system-change strategist.
Most recently, Colón was Vice President for Florida Student Success Initiatives at Helios Education Foundation, where he served as a strategic lead in the Foundation’s community investment activities.
Prior to Helios, Colón co-founded and led the design and development of the Florida College Access Network as a statewide organization based at the University of South Florida. FCAN engages communities supporting cross-sector collaboration and promotes program and policy development aimed at strengthening Florida’s talent pipeline through postsecondary education. Currently, FCAN supports 17 local college access networks that collectively represent 82% of Florida’s population.
“I’m excited about rejoining the FCAN team and helping to build on the success the organization has achieved over the last ten years,” Colón said.
Colón’s professional journey also includes years of public agency experience previously serving as General Manager for Public Relations and Partnership for the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library Cooperative, and as Field Director for the Florida Department of Education’s Office of External Affairs and Communications. He is also a two-time graduate of the University of South Florida, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies before earning a Master of Arts in Public Administration. More recently, he earned a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University.
Additionally, Colón has earned recognition as an American Graduate Day Champion for Education by WUSF Public Media, earned Leadership Awards in Education and Public Service by Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage, and is a past recipient of the Florida Department of Education’s Commissioner’s Leadership Award. In 2023, he will be honored by Collier County Champions for Learning with the Community Champion Award.
“FCAN has always been about partnership and empowering community collaboration and action, so that more students have the opportunity to pursue their aspirations through education beyond high school,” said Colón. “I look forward to serving alongside the FCAN team who has truly been behind the success of this statewide movement.”
Please join us in welcoming Braulio (back) to the FCAN team!