Alma Exley, a dedicated educator, was working at the Connecticut Department of Education to bring more people of color into the teaching profession. Since her death in 1995, the Alma Exley Scholarship Program has been carrying on her work to promote greater diversity in education.
Cardona, whose grandparents moved to Connecticut from Puerto Rico, spoke Spanish first before learning English in school. He was the first in his family to attend college and his background as a first generation Puerto Rican will be important as the nation’s top education leader.
The Community Foundation is very proud of all of our Alma Exley Scholars who continue to excel in the field of education. Miguel actively participates in the Exley Scholar program attending awards presentations, speaking with students, administrators, and educators while listening, leading, and setting an example. Miguels’s accomplishments have brought him to a point where he is being recognized as an education professional with experience to lead at a national level and we are proud to have supported him during part of that journey.