Enrique Figueroa, Ph.D

Enrique Figueroa, Ph.D., joined the board in 2011.  He is an Associate Professor and Director of the Roberto Hernández Center at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.  In this capacity he is the chief executive and administrative officer of the Center responsible for administering a campus-wide Center .  As with responsibilities for Student Services, Scholarship & Research and Community Outreach Assistant to the Provost for Latino Affairs.

Enrique received an A.S. degree in Animal Science from Modesto Junior College, a B.S. in Agricultural Education from Fresno State University, an M.S. in Horticulture from UC-Davis, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from UC-Davis.  After receiving his first Master’s, Figueroa was an Instructor of Ornamental Horticulture at Modesto Junior College and then worked for the State of California Conservation Corps.  While in graduate school, Dr. Figueroa was selected as a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Fellow and worked for the House Committee on Agriculture in the U.S. Congress.

Upon completing his doctorate, Dr. Figueroa was appointed Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics at Cornell University and was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor.  Figueroa was appointed as Administrator of Agricultural Marketing Service by the Clinton Administration and subsequently promoted to Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, both at the USDA.  In both capacities, Figueroa played a key role in national policy affecting the marketing of agricultural products.

Enrique currently serves on the Board of Directors of: a.) the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Milwaukee; b.) the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection [DATCP]; c.) the National Cranberry Marketing Committee; and d.) the WI Migrant Labor Coalition.  Enrique is a recognized national scholar, administrator, and Latino community leader.