Rockville, MD - The 2015 Steering Committee of the Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala (MCEHG) announces that Steward L. Edelstein, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Universities at Shady Grove, will be the recipient of the 2015 "Advocate of the Year Award" during the gala celebration on September 10, 2015 to take place at The Fillmore Silver Spring. 

"Dr. Edelstein has advocated for and implemented initiatives to expand graduate degrees and certificates programs offered at USG to meet the projected needs for advanced professional education in the region. This places him at the forefront of advocacy for our scholars," said Lorna Virgili, MCEHG Founder.

Dr. Stewart Edelstein joined the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) as Executive Director in 2002 and was named Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the University System of Maryland in 2007. Under his leadership, USG expanded its number of participating universities, the breadth and depth of undergraduate and graduate degree programs and grown student enrollment to more than 4,000 students.  Further growth is planned with the construction of a new Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Education Facility which will expand degrees in healthcare, engineering, biosciences and STEM education and result in doubling the numbers of students served by the campus.

Under Dr. Edelstein's leadership, USG has worked closely with Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to better articulate curriculum planning and degree completion initiatives within the county to create education and career pathways in professional fields.   These initiatives place special emphasis on strengthening the pipeline for minority and first generation college student populations.

Prior to arriving at USG, Dr. Edelstein enjoyed a 25 year career at the University of Maryland, College Park where he served as Senior Associate Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.  Dr. Edelstein received his bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley

The Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala is a 100% volunteer-run event committed to assisting Hispanic youth achieve a high level of education.  Funds raised support the Maryland Hispanic Achievement Scholarship Program which provides financial assistance to Hispanic students enrolled in Maryland higher learning institutions.

The Montgomery County Executive Hispanic Gala will serve to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. 

To become a Sponsor, Donate, or to Purchase Tickets, visit: www.montgomeryhispanicgala.org