HESC Acting President Doris B. González Named a 2026 Trailblazer in Higher Education by City & State New York
DORIS B. GONZÁLEZ
ALBANY, NY – City & State New York has named Doris B. González, Acting President of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), to its prestigious 2026 Trailblazers in Higher Education list. This annual recognition spotlights leaders across academia, government, healthcare and nonprofit sectors who are driving transformative change throughout New York State.
The Trailblazers in Higher Education list honors exceptional indi viduals who are advanc ing innovation, inclusiv ity, and student success. The list features leaders who are helping students succeed while broadening their horizons and expanding opportunities for growth and achievement.
Ms. González was recognized for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration and progress in higher education. Her efforts continue to make a lasting impact on New York’s students, families, and communities.
Since joining HESC in August 2023, Ms. González has trans formed the organization by promoting a culture of inclusivity, transparency, and operational excel lence. Under her leader ship, HESC was named a 2026 Top Workplace in the Capital Region by the Times Union, a testament to her leader ship and vision, and its commitment to fostering a supportive, mission driven workplace dedi cated to helping New Yorkers access affordable higher education. Ms. González has also placed a strong focus on creating a more user-centric experience for students and families and prioritized making services easier to access through the modernization of HESC’s financial aid systems, improvements in service delivery, and collaboration with partners to broaden HESC’s reach and impact.
Doris B. González, Acting President, New York State Higher Education Services Corporation said, “I am deeply honored to be recognized as a Trailblazer in Higher Education alongside so many outstanding leaders. Higher education has the power to transform lives and strengthen communities, and I’m proud to be part of that mission. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the incredible team at HESC and our shared commitment to making higher education accessible and equitable for all.”
Ms. González’s career spans decades of impact ful work in both the public and private sec tors. From her leadership roles at IBM Corporation and Kyndryl Holdings, Inc., to her advocacy for underserved com munities through non profit boards such as The Harlem Gallery of Science, ASPIRA of New York, and her service as a board member of the CUNY Bronx Com munity College Founda tion, Ms. González has consistently championed social equity, education, and empowerment. Her work embodies the ideals of progress, diversity, and community impact in New York, empowering countless individuals across the state to realize their full potential.
In addition to this rec ognition, Ms. González was recently honored with the 2026 Mujeres Destacadas award by El Diario and named one of City & State’s Responsible 100 in 2025 for her transformative leadership and dedication to fostering inclusivity and equity.
As part of the 2026 Trailblazers in Higher Education list, Ms. González is featured in a special commemorative City and State New York Magazine published on Monday, May 25, 2026.