Rosa Elena Diaz, MSW

Rosa Elena Diaz serves as Chief of Staff at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), where she works across the organization to strengthen strategy, operations, and collaboration in support of CHCI’s mission to develop the next generation of Latino leaders. 

Prior to joining CHCI, Rosa spent 15 years helping build the Nicholas Academic Centers (NAC), a college access and success program serving students in Santa Ana, California. Over the course of her tenure, she held leadership roles spanning academics, programs, and operations before being appointed Executive Director in 2014. 

Rosa remains deeply engaged in education and community leadership. She serves on the Board of Trustees of Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, and continues to support the Nicholas Academic Centers as a member of its board. 

A CHCI alumna herself, Rosa has long been committed to expanding opportunities for Latino communities and helping ensure Latinos are positioned to succeed and lead across sectors. An immigrant from Nayarit, Mexico, she was the first in her family to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish Literature from Allegheny College and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California.