Ryan Alcantara

Biography

Dr. Ryan Alcantara is a seasoned higher education and nonprofit executive with nearly three decades of experience advancing student success, organizational effectiveness, and community impact. His leadership spans community colleges, the California State University and University of California systems, private institutions, and the University of Southern California, as well as nonprofit organizations dedicated to educational access and equity.

Ryan has served in senior leadership roles overseeing student affairs, enrollment management, career services, advancement communications, housing and residential life, and institutional compliance. He brings particular depth in leading institutions through transition, most notably as Interim President and CEO of PIQE, where he stabilized operations, strengthened partnerships, and supported statewide efforts to expand college readiness and degree attainment. Throughout his career, Ryan has managed multimillion‑dollar budgets, co‑chaired and led strategic planning initiatives, implemented enterprise systems, and successfully navigated complex organizational change. His leadership approach emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and shared accountability, with a strong focus on aligning resources to mission and outcomes.

A first‑generation college graduate and son of an immigrant father, Ryan’s commitment to equity and access is both professional and deeply personal. He has spearheaded culturally responsive programs, expanded support for undocumented and historically marginalized students, and partnered with K–12 districts, nonprofits, faith‑based organizations, and foundations to strengthen educational pipelines. His work includes donor stewardship, principal‑gift storytelling, and alumni engagement initiatives that connect philanthropic investment to measurable impact.

Ryan is an experienced board partner and has served on numerous regional and statewide boards and advisory groups focused on education, community collaboration, and college access. He is known for his steady leadership during periods of uncertainty, his ability to bring diverse stakeholders together around shared goals, and his belief that institutions have both an opportunity and a responsibility to serve as vehicles for social mobility.

Selected Publications

Alcantara, R.E. & Holmes-Leopold, R.J. (2023) Preparing college students to be career ready. In C. H. Livingston, C.H., Porter, C.J. & Shandley, T.C. (Eds.). Small and Mighty: Student Affairs at Small Colleges and Universities, NASPA Publications, Washington, DC.