Michael Gonzales Joins Emporia State University Foundation Board

Emporia, KS (12/14/2021) — A national expert on diversity, equity and inclusion topics is a new trustee on the 49-member board for the Emporia State University Foundation.

Michael Gonzales of Shawnee, Kansas, principal owner of NE&E Consulting, travels the United States as a consultant, executive coach, speaker, panelist and advisor on diversity, equity and inclusion topics impacting business and workforce imperatives. He previously served as leader of corporate diversity, equity and inclusion at Hallmark Card, Inc., until his retirement.

Gonzales earned a bachelor's degree in art in 1975 and a master's degree in counselor education in 1977 from Emporia State University. He has served on the School of Business Dean's Advisory Council and the Business Administration Advisory Council. He returned to campus in 2019 to deliver the annual Sam E. and Jeannene Hayes Lecture.

"I realized that a successful career has to be built on a solid foundation, which for me was my time at Emporia State," Gonzales said. "Couple that with the belief that you acknowledge the people and places that was instrumental in your success, it was only natural that I would want to give back to the institution that was pivotal in crafting the tenets in my career. It's truly an honor to have been asked to serve on the Foundation's Board of Trustees, and I hope my time and support will be an asset to the students at ESU."

Gonzales is one of eight new trustees on the ESU Foundation board. Trustees serve as role models for potential donors by generously contributing of their own time and resources. They are actively involved in university events and programs and serve to raise philanthropic resources to advance the mission of Emporia State University.