NEW YORK, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jose Luis Rodriguez, President and CEO of Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN), today announced that Dr. Veronica C. Garcia, former New Mexico Education Secretary, joins the organization as Senior Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. Garcia will lead the development of new education content and programs through multiplatform delivery.

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Rodriguez said, "The addition of Veronica to the executive team at HITN is a crucial part of our strategy to launch HITN into the next phase of education and empowerment for Hispanics nationwide. Her extensive and distinguished background in education will be crucial in advancing our mission. She will ensure that the highest standards of excellence in education are met and exceeded in all aspects of HITN programs and initiatives."

Garcia said, "HITN's launch of advanced technology for education services, programming, and the expansion of community support initiatives for student success are a perfect fit. I will be reaching out to educational institutions and organizations to take part in both technology and educational opportunities to close the achievement gap. I am proud to be working with HITN in support of students and life-long learning."

HITN plans to launch VALE! Virtual Accelerated Learning Environments through blended delivery of wireless broadband, satellite, and digital technology in 2011. Garcia will design programs for K-12 and post-secondary education, expanding on current pilot programs that include after school programs, English as a Second Language, GED, and workforce certification programs. Additionally, she will guide the expansion of educational programming and original productions, specifically the second phase of HITN's College Admissions 411(http://www.hitn.tv/ca411/).  

Under her tenure as Education Secretary, Garcia garnered the state of New Mexico much attention for the Making Schools Work education reform agenda that set new rigorous standards, increased school accountability, improved teacher quality, created 21st century classrooms, established public early childhood education, and closed the achievement gap. Garcia was appointed as New Mexico's first Secretary of Education in 2003. Under her leadership student achievement steadily increased, graduation rates improved, and communities and businesses took a formal advisory role in improving education in New Mexico. In 2008, her outstanding leadership was recognized by the National Governors Association for Distinguished Service to State Government.

The Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, Inc. (HITN) was established in 1983 as a non-profit organization. HITN's mission is to advance Hispanics by providing engaging educational entertainment empowering the community to serve as an ever-growing engine of intellectual power and progress. HITN-TV is the first U.S.-owned, non-commercial, Spanish-language media company; delivering educational programming to more than 36 million homes nationwide on Satellite and Cable. HITN is also the largest holder of Educational Broadband Spectrum (EBS) in the US, supporting the next generation of wireless broadband networks and creating new opportunities to deliver educational content and connect communities. Visit us online at http://www.hitn.tv/.

SOURCE HITN-Hispanic Information Telecomunications Network