The Office of Scholars and Fellowships Welcomes New Assistant Director
Manny Valdez Perez, the new Assistant Director for Richmond Scholars in the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, has always been a natural leader. The oldest of seven siblings and a first-generation college graduate, he is passionate about guiding others and helping them find their paths. Manny cares deeply about fostering an environment in which students can thrive through holistic support and mentoring. As Assistant Director for Richmond Scholars, Manny is beyond thrilled to strengthen the Scholar community with robust programming to engage Scholars throughout their time at Richmond.
Manny grew up in Asheboro, North Carolina, in a close-knit family that highly values education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Education in Higher Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). Manny’s work with the Guarantee Scholars Program at UNCG focused on serving first-generation, low-income, underrepresented, and high-achieving undergraduate students, and he is excited to continue working with a diverse and talented student population.
Manny’s transformative experiences during his own undergraduate career motivated him to pursue a career in higher education. In addition to his academic studies, he learned important lessons about finding purpose and being mindful and present in his experiences. “I realized I was constantly focusing on what was next, but I needed to learn to soak in every moment,” he recalls. Manny also benefitted from a caring group of peers, mentors, and family who provided vital challenge and support during his college experience. He is grateful for the chance to provide that same support for Richmond Scholars.
Outside of work, Manny is rarely found in his apartment, instead preferring to spend time outside cycling and walking along the James River. He plays and watches soccer, football, and basketball, and he can be found cheering on his favorite teams, including FC Barcelona, the LA Lakers, and the Las Vegas Raiders. His favorite movie is Remember the Titans, and he enjoys stories about underdogs who overcome obstacles to achieve great things. Manny is always willing to talk sports or movies – stop by the office or find him at a Richmond Scholars event!
Manny is excited to jump into an academic year full of exciting events and Scholar community. He looks forward to seeing many Scholars at events this semester, ranging from walks around Westhampton Lake to Totes & Tacos night.