Virginia LULAC Celebrates Historic Election of Diana Brown as First Honduran Latina Chair of the Northern Virginia Community College Board

For Immediate Release - May 7, 2026

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — Virginia LULAC proudly announces and celebrates the historic election of Ms. Diana Brown as the first Honduran Latina to serve as Chair of the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) College Board. Her election marks a major milestone for Latino representation, immigrant leadership, first-generation students, and public higher education throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is one of the largest and most diverse community college systems in America, serving nearly 75,000 students annually across Northern Virginia and representing students from more than 180 countries. NOVA’s student body represents one of the most diverse populations in higher education, with Hispanic and Latino students making up more than 25% of enrolled students. Ms. Brown’s election therefore carries profound significance for thousands of immigrant families, working-class students, and first-generation college students pursuing opportunity through education.

As Chair, Ms. Brown will also play a critical leadership role in working alongside college administration, government stakeholders, educators, and community leaders to help shape policies and initiatives that impact tens of thousands of students throughout Northern Virginia each year. Her leadership will help influence how NOVA continues to prepare students for careers, university transfer opportunities, and economic mobility in one of the fastest-growing and most diverse regions in the Commonwealth.

Community colleges serve as one of the most important gateways to opportunity in America. They provide pathways for students of all backgrounds to pursue higher education, develop workforce skills, build new careers, and create greater economic opportunity for themselves and their families. For millions of Americans, community colleges represent access, mobility, and the promise of a better future through education.

At a time when Latino communities and their contributions are too often overlooked or minimized within political and institutional spaces, Diana Brown’s election stands as a powerful symbol of progress, hope, and renewal for Latinos across Virginia and the nation. Her election reflects the growing political, educational, and civic influence of Latino communities throughout the Commonwealth as Latinos increasingly step into roles not only as participants within institutions, but as leaders helping shape public policy, education, workforce systems, and civic life itself.

An immigrant from Honduras and a proud first-generation college graduate, Ms. Brown embodies the promise and reality of the American Dream. Coming from humble beginnings, she has dedicated her life to public service, education, and community empowerment. Her election to lead one of the nation’s largest community college governing boards represents not only a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the growing impact and contributions of Latino communities across Virginia.

“Diana Brown’s election is a historic and inspirational moment for the Latino community and for the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said Christopher Concepcion, Virginia State Director for Virginia LULAC. “Her story reflects the journey of so many immigrant and first-generation families who came to this country seeking opportunity, education, and a better future. Today, she stands as a leader helping shape the future of one of America’s largest community college systems.”

Concepcion continued, “Representation matters deeply. Students deserve to see leaders who understand their experiences and reflect the communities they come from. Diana Brown represents perseverance, educational excellence, public service, and the extraordinary contributions immigrants continue to make to Virginia and the United States.”

Ms. Brown currently serves on the Manassas City School Board after being elected in 2025 to a four-year term. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Honduran American Association, where she continues advocating for educational access, civic engagement, and community empowerment for immigrant and Latino families.

She was appointed to the NOVA College Board by the City of Manassas and has steadily emerged as a respected voice for educational equity, workforce readiness, student success, and inclusive leadership. Her leadership comes at a critical time when community colleges serve as essential pathways toward economic mobility, workforce development, career advancement, and affordable higher education for families throughout Virginia.

Ms. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, with dual endorsements in Early Childhood and Special Education. Demonstrating her lifelong commitment to education and leadership, she earned an Education Specialist degree in Supervision and Administration of Public Schools from George Washington University in 2017.

For over two decades, Ms. Brown has served in public education in numerous leadership roles, including teacher, teacher specialist, preschool specialist, assistant principal, and educational administrator. She currently serves as a Special Education Coordinator for Prince William County Public Schools, where she actively promotes inclusion, belonging, student advocacy, and educational excellence. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring every student feels valued and supported within the educational system.

Her dedication and impact have earned widespread statewide and national recognition. In 2021, Ms. Brown was named Virginia’s National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. In 2019, she received both the Bell Award and the Regional Outstanding Assistant Principal Award from the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals for her exemplary service to students, educators, and the broader community.

Ms. Brown believes that serving on the Northern Virginia Community College Board is a vital opportunity to strengthen equitable access to higher education, workforce development initiatives, and lifelong learning opportunities for all Virginians. As Chair of the NOVA Board of Trustees, she is committed to helping shape policies and initiatives that empower students from every background, regardless of ethnicity, income, language, or immigration history to succeed academically, professionally, and personally.

Virginia LULAC recognizes Ms. Brown’s election as more than a leadership achievement. It is a powerful symbol of progress, representation, and the growing role Latino leaders continue to play in shaping the future of education, civic life, and public institutions across Virginia.

Virginia LULAC is especially proud to celebrate this historic achievement because Ms. Brown also serves as a member of Virginia LULAC, an organization committed to advancing the educational attainment, economic opportunity, civic engagement, and civil rights of Latino communities throughout the Commonwealth and the United States. Her leadership and life story reflect the very mission and values that LULAC has fought for since its founding in 1929: empowering Latino communities through education, public service, leadership development, and community advocacy. (VA LULAC)

Ms. Brown exemplifies the spirit of perseverance, sacrifice, and achievement that defines so many immigrant and first-generation families across America. From humble beginnings as an immigrant from Honduras to now leading one of the largest community college systems in the United States, her journey is a powerful example of the American Dream realized through hard work, education, and service to others.

Her election represents more than an individual accomplishment. It reflects the growing strength, leadership, and contributions of Latino communities across Virginia. As an educator, public servant, advocate, and community leader, Ms. Brown embodies LULAC’s longstanding mission of creating pathways toward educational success, economic mobility, and civic participation for future generations.

Virginia LULAC believes that leaders like Ms. Brown inspire young Latino students and families to see themselves in positions of influence, leadership, and public service. Her achievement sends a clear message that Latino voices belong at every table where decisions are made regarding education, opportunity, and the future of our communities.

Virginia LULAC proudly congratulates Ms. Brown on this historic achievement and looks forward to supporting her continued leadership in advancing educational opportunity, inclusion, and excellence throughout the Commonwealth.

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About Virginia LULAC

Virginia LULAC is the state chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights advocacy organization. Our mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

Contact:

virginialulacofficial@gmail.com | valulac.org