Connie Calderón-Jensen is a dedicated education professional with over 30 years of experience advocating for equitable access to higher education, particularly for students from diverse backgrounds, including English-language learners, and immigrant families. Throughout her career, she has championed first-generation college students, collaborated with under-resourced school districts to develop programs that empower immigrant families in preparing their children for higher education, and supported post-baccalaureate learners at the UCSF School of Medicine.
As the associate director of the Latinx Center of Excellence (LCOE) since its founding in 2019, Connie has played a pivotal role in advancing the center’s mission. She leads its HRSA programs, outreach efforts, and overall administration, working closely with Dr. Fernandez to ensure the LCOE meets its strategic goals, supports staff development, and establishes a sustainable framework for the center’s long-term impact at UCSF. She collaborates with various UCSF departments, community organizations, and academic programs to drive initiatives that increase the representation of Latinx physicians in California and across the nation.
Connie holds a master’s degree in international policy studies and Spanish from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA, and a bachelor’s degree in political science with a focus on Latin America from UC San Diego. Fluent in Spanish and Italian, her curiosity about global cultures led her to live in Italy, Mexico, Togo, and Hungary, where she participated in various academic programs.
Outside of her professional work, Connie enjoys exploring ancient cultures, discovering hidden beaches along the Sea of Cortez (Baja California), and sailing with her husband and three teenage sons—experiences that keep her connected to the world’s diversity and grounded in family