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President Zulma R. Toro presented Ramon Hernandez with the 2025 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) during the annual State of the University address on Sept. 25 at Alumni Hall. Hernandez recently retired as Associate Dean of Student Affairs after more than 30 years at Central.
The DSA is one of the university’s highest honors. It recognizes members of the Central community who have provided exemplary service to the university. Nominations for the award are submitted by faculty and staff, students, and peers at other institutions of higher learning.
In making the DSA announcement, Central President Zulma R. Toro noted, “For more than 30 years, Ray has been the steady force behind countless student successes and a compassionate leader who made Central feel like a true community for all students.”
Hernandez is known among his colleagues and students as a dedicated and diligent source of support. He has mentored and advocated for hundreds of students from a variety of backgrounds, including first-generation students; veterans; and students in need of accessibility accommodations.
Toro noted, “Ray’s leadership often served as a model across the Connecticut State University system, shaping best practices in early academic interventions, orientation, crisis response, and building networks of support for students.”
As a member of the Latin American, Latino, & Caribbean Center Executive Board, Hernandez played a key role in shaping initiatives that foster inclusion within the Latino community at Central. Through his work with the Latin American Student Organization, Hernandez mentored hundreds of students and provided the history, structure, and framework needed to create safe and empowering spaces for Latino students.
Additionally, Hernandez mentored new staff members at Central through his participation on the Minority Recruitment and Mentoring Committee within the State University Organization of Administrative Faculty.
Beyond his contributions at Central, Hernandez has demonstrated his commitment to the broader Latino community through his longstanding work with the Connecticut Association of Latinos in Higher Education.
Through partnerships with organizations such as the Hartford Public Library, Our Piece of the Pie, and SUN Scholars, Hernandez worked to expand opportunity, secure scholarships, and connect families and communities to higher education opportunities.
“As Ray enjoys his retirement, his legacy is one of lives uplifted, doors opened, and dreams realized,” Toro said.
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President Zulma Toro and Distinguished Service Award recipient Ray Hernandez are pictured here at the Sept. 18 State of the University address. (Photo by Stan Godlewski)