CHCI HONORS FORMER EDUCATION SECRETARY MIGUEL CARDONA AND GRAMMY® AND LATIN GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNING ICON ELVIS CRESPO WITH 2025 MEDALLIONS OF EXCELLENCE

Washington, D.C. (September 11, 2025) – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) today announced that the 12^th U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel A. Cardona, and Latin music icon and global sensation, Elvis Crespo, will receive 2025 Medallions of Excellence, the institute’s highest honors recognizing exemplary Latinos who serve as role models and outstanding civic citizens at the CHCI 48th Annual Awards Gala, the culminating event of its Hispanic Heritage Month convenings. Following the awards ceremony, Crespo will take the stage with a live performance as the headliner of this year’s gala.

Cardona, a career educator with over 27 years in education, served as the nation’s top education official under President Biden. He will receive the American Dream Medallion of Excellence in Education, Science, Medicine, or Civil Rights. Crespo, a prolific Latin music performer, will receive the Medallion of Excellence in the Arts, Entertainment, Media, Music, and Sports. The Medallion Awards are CHCI’s highest accolade and one of the most prestigious honors in the Latino community, awarded to positive role models whose extraordinary careers, civic leadership, and service contribute to the greater American society.

Dr. Miguel A. Cardona served as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education under President Joe Biden. With over 27 years in education, he has championed equity, access, and the value of multilingual learning, beginning as a fourth-grade teacher and rising to lead America’s education system. Cardona’s key initiatives include academic recovery post-pandemic, mental health support, global competitiveness, and making college more affordable. Under his leadership, U.S. schools reopened successfully, $185 billion in student debt was forgiven, and student loan systems were reformed. His tenure saw record growth in student reading achievement, expanded apprenticeships for aspiring teachers, and increased school mental health resources.

A first-generation college graduate, Cardona’s journey from bilingual educator to national leader exemplifies the power of public education. He holds multiple degrees from the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State University. Secretary Cardona and his wife Marissa, also an educator, are proud parents of two college students.

Puerto Rican Latin music icon and pioneer, Elvis Crespo, has transcended generations and borders with an electrifying fusion of merengue and tropical rhythms that have made the Grammy® and Latin Grammy®-winning one of the most influential Latin artists of all time, on a global scale.

His global smash hit “Suavemente” became a cultural phenomenon, crossing language borders and topping Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, making him the first Tropical artist to sell over 4 million physical albums worldwide and breaking records as one of the most-streamed Latin songs of all time. Beyond “Suavemente” and “Tu Sonrisa”, Crespo was the first Tropical artist to cross over to Dance music with EDM-Latin smash tracks “Azukita” (Steve Aoki, Daddy Yankee, and Play-N-Skillz) and “Bailar” (Deorro), topping dance charts and amassing millions of streams and a legion of new fans worldwide. Crespo has graced some of the world’s biggest stages and festivals, including Viña del Mar, Coachella Music Festival, Billboard, and Latin GRAMMY® celebrations, among others, proving his continuing influence in culture. 

His most recent album release, “Poeta Herio”, captures the essence of love lost and found through the global vision of the tropical sound that Crespo has pioneered for over two decades. The album has earned multiple No. 1 singles, including new versions of the evergreen tracks “Nuestra Canción” with Jerry Rivera and “Luna Llena” with Ebenezer Guerra, as well as new hits, “Me Mataron” with El Blachy, and “Borrón y Cuenta Nueva” with Toño Rosario, La Insuperable, and Ebenezer Guerra. This year, Crespo earned his first sold-out performance at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and initiated his Bodega Tour 2025: El Barrio Canta, making surprise appearances to iconic bodegas and colmados in cities across Puerto Rico and the United States, offering a series of free musical performances set in intimate, everyday, and cultural spaces representative of Latino communities.

“Miguel Cardona is a shining example of leadership through his commitment to ensuring that all children receive the support they need to achieve their full academic potential. In the world of music, Elvis Crespo has revolutionized the Latin sound, amplifying its global resonance and connecting cultures through rhythm,” said Marco A. Davis, CHCI President and CEO. “Their success reflects the innovation, resilience, and cultural pride that CHCI seeks to uplift. Honoring these individuals with our Medallions of Excellence underscores the power of Latino leadership and creativity to inspire, unite, and leave a lasting mark on the world.”

“Receiving CHCI’s Medallion of Excellence is not just an honor, it’s a deeply personal moment,” said Dr. Miguel Cardona. “As the proud son of parents who left Aguada, Puerto Rico to build a life in Meriden, Connecticut, I carry their journey and sacrifices with me every day. From those humble beginnings, I’ve been guided by the belief that education opens doors, and that bilingualism and biculturalism is our superpower. My path from a public school classroom to serving as U.S. Secretary of Education is a testament to the opportunities this country can offer and the power of the American Dream. I’m humbled to accept this award and remain committed to fighting for equitable opportunities that empower every student to thrive.”[1] 

“I’m humbled and honored to receive the CHCI Medallion of Excellence during Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Elvis Crespo. “I thank God for gracing me with the gift of entertaining and giving me the ability to express myself through music,  bringing together audiences and communities throughout the world. I’m excited to celebrate this special gala with CHCI, my fellow honoree, and the leaders who continue to support our Latino community and inspire future generations.”

“Miguel Cardona’s leadership has had a transformational impact on American education. And Elvis Crespo’s legacy is a celebration of Latino culture, creativity, and artistry,” said CHCI Chair, Rep. Darren Soto. “We are honored to recognize their decades of impact and influence by presenting them with CHCI’s Medallions of Excellence. And we look forward to the energy and inspiration that Elvis Crespo will share with our community through his performance at this year’s Awards Ceremony.”

Sponsorship opportunities for the 48th Annual CHCI Awards Gala are available. Please email development@chci.org for more information.Press credentials and interview requests with select honorees, performers, and CHCI leadership may be available upon request by emailing CHCI@mercuryllc.com.

ABOUT CHCI 

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization in the country dedicated to developing the next generation of Latino leaders®. CHCI provides leadership, public service, and policy experiences to outstanding Latino/a/x students and young professionals, and convenes Members of Congress, other public officials, corporate executives, nonprofit advocates, and thought leaders to discuss issues facing the nation and the Hispanic community. Visit CHCI.org and follow us @CHCI on social media.