by Hector H. Lopez

^{This column was originally published throughout the Americas by Al Día News on October 15, 2024, in both English & Spanish.}

There is a moment in the life of every system when it begins to break down, not from a sudden shock, but from slow erosion. Higher education, as we know it, is unraveling. What was once a bastion of opportunity has become a fortress of exclusivity, where wealth outweighs merit, and institutions that once promised upward mobility now serve a select few. It’s as if the very fabric of the system is fraying, thread by thread. And yet, amidst this unraveling, there is hope—the possibility of weaving something new, something lasting.

1. My Journey to the Crossroads of Education

I grew up in a place where opportunity wasn’t handed to you. El Paso, Texas—a border town straddling two worlds, where the weight of economic disparity was always palpable. F...

by Hector H. Lopez

^{This column was originally published throughout the Americas by Al Día News on September 27, 2024, in both English & Spanish.}

Yesterday, marked the kickoff of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) 2024 Conference in Los Angeles, where the very future of higher education will be quietly debated in sterile conference rooms. Leaders in admissions, enrollment management, and high school counseling will converge, armed with spreadsheets and recruitment data, discussing strategies to survive in an industry facing one of its greatest existential crises.

But survival isn’t enough. We are long past the point where we can afford to treat higher education like a business clinging to outdated models, increasing prices while hoping new customers continue to line up at the gates. At a time when Georgetown University tuition has surpassed $100,000 a yea...

by Hector H. Lopez

^{This column was originally published throughout the Americas by Al Día News on September 18, 2024, in both English & Spanish.}

Leadership, integrity, culture and community—these were the ideals that always guided me, my constant North Star. But over time, I’ve watched that North Star dim, just as I’ve seen those same values erode in broader society.

This past week, Kendrick Lamar dropped a new track. Many in pop culture will likely focus on his ongoing superficial feud with Drake, obsessed with the spectacle of the industry. But to fixate on that drama is to miss the deeper message. Much like the themes I’ve explored in my op-eds for Al Día, Kendrick’s track critiques a far more profound issue: the ideals of leadership, integrity, culture and community—once held in such high regard—have been hijacked, twisted into hollow slogans, devoid of their original substance.

by Hector H. Lopez

^{This column was originally published throughout the Americas by Al Día News on September 10, 2024, in both English & Spanish.}

Yet another school shooting. Last week, it was Apalachee High School in Georgia. The tragic pattern continues, and it took me back to when I first learned what a school shooting was as a freshman at Georgetown University on April 20, 1999—Columbine. Thirteen lives—12 students and 1 teacher—were senselessly cut down in what should have been a sanctuary of learning. I vividly remember walking into my dormitory lounge, where a crowd of stunned students gathered around the television, disbelief hanging in the air like smoke. We all wondered the same thing: how could this happen in a school—a place of growth, discovery, and community?

Fast forward 20 years, and I found myself at Georgetown once again, this time leading the inaugural cohort of BeNe...

by Hector H. Lopez

^{This column was originally published throughout the Americas by Al Día News on September 03, 2024, in both English & Spanish.}

Once upon a time, in the dusty borderlands of El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, I was a young boy with dreams bigger than the horizons I could see. My parents, like so many others, had crossed into this country carrying little more than their hopes, and they instilled in me the belief that education was the golden ticket to a better life—a life where I could not only thrive but also make a difference.

I believed in that dream. I clung to it like a lifeline. Education was my path to the American Dream, to success, to the kind of life where impact wasn’t just a possibility; it was a certainty. And so, I worked hard. I was fortunate enough to be accepted into Georgetown University's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, a place whe...

by Hector H. Lopez

^{This column was originally published throughout the Americas by Al Día News on August 26, 2024, in both English & Spanish.}

Once upon a time, I believed that the pinnacle of my purpose was to become the President of the United States. It was a dream forged in the fires of ambition, tempered by countless hours of study, preparation, public speaking, debating, and professional experience. I was crafting what I thought was the perfect narrative—a carefully groomed story that would someday lead me to the Oval Office, where I could make the most significant impact on society and leave my mark on the world.

It was a romantic endeavor, almost cinematic in its pursuit. I envisioned politics as the ideal platform to enact change, inspired by leadership akin to what we see on TV shows like The West Wing—the camaraderie, the principled debates, the relentless pursuit of the gre...

by Hector H. Lopez

^{This column was originally published throughout the Americas by Al Día News on August 19, 2024, in both English & Spanish.}

There are some lights in our lives that, once kindled, never truly extinguish. Even as they flicker and fade, their warmth lingers, their glow imprinted on the soul, lighting our way forward in the darkest of times. Michael Gaynor was such a light in my life—a mentor, a friend, a man who, with his quiet strength and boundless wisdom, shaped not just my career, but the very contours of my existence.

To speak of Michael is to speak of stories—stories spun with a masterful blend of suspense, humility, and humor. He was a weaver of connections, each thread a life he touched, each knot a bond he forged. I remember the first time we met, a luncheon at well known eatery in Villanova, Pennsylvania. There, surrounded by the formalities of a professional ...

by Hector H. Lopez

In the heart of Mexico City, where history and modernity dance in a delicate balance, I found a renewed purpose. This city, with its pulsating energy and deep cultural roots, inspired me to transform professional disillusionment into a mission for profound social impact. My journey, informed by decades of experience and a profound connection to Latin America, led to the creation of Futuro Las Americas and BeNeXT Global. Today, I speak from a place of love and passion, almost two years after taking my exit from the organization I founded to embark on new ventures while remaining deeply committed to its mission.

The Turning Point

Years ago, I stood at a crossroads, much like many of you might today. Disenchanted with the corporate grind, I longed for something more meaningful. It was during a serendipitous conversation with a dear friend that the fog lifted. The realiza...

by Hector H. Lopez

After diving into the untapped potential of Latin America's youth, our journey continues with an exploration of how digital education is becoming the bridge over traditional barriers, unlocking new realms of possibility for millions.

This next article in the series will examine the transformative impact of technology on education across Latin America. As we embrace a future where traditional classroom boundaries blur, we find a region ripe for educational revolution — fueled by innovation, driven by necessity, and amplified by the youthful vigor of its population.

We will spotlight pioneering initiatives that leverage digital platforms to provide accessible, quality education — from remote areas in the Andes to bustling metropolitan centers. Stories of tech startups, and governmental policies converging to democratize education will take center stage, showcasing how t...

by Hector H. Lopez

As I traverse the vibrant landscapes of the Americas, a narrative of potential, innovation, and transformation unfolds before my eyes. This journey has inspired me to launch a LinkedIn series dedicated to exploring the intersection of education, technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact across this diverse hemisphere.

My travels from the bustling urban arteries to serene rural retreats have revealed a staggering reality: Latin America, with its over 79 million college-aged students, stands in stark contrast to the United States, where college enrollments have dwindled to a historic low of 15.2 million. This juxtaposition is not merely a statistic; it represents a profound opportunity. At a time when educational institutions in the United States grapple with declining enrollments, Latin America bursts with the untapped potential of its youth, beckoning visionari...

by Hector H. Lopez

Amidst the symphony of countless airports, my legs find comfort in the embrace of well-worn Converse sneakers, a testament to the miles walked and stories collected. This seemingly simple snapshot holds the essence of an era—a relentless odyssey across the contours of the Americas.

From New York’s pulsating heart, spiraling down through the arteries of I-95 and I-10, traversing the Pan-American highway’s expanse from Mexico’s vibrant tapestry to Argentina’s southernmost tips, and weaving through the Caribbean only to circle back to El Paso, Texas. This journey was less an itinerary and more a pilgrimage—a mission to forge connections, spark innovation, and plant the seeds of change.

From the early days with the National Hispanic Institute to the inception of BeNeXT Global and Futuro Las Americas, each step played its unique note in the grand symphony of my dream. ...

by Hector H. Lopez

In the luminous dawn of a new era, Mexico stands defiant, a phoenix rising from the ashes of narratives long spun by its northern neighbor. For decades, the United States has painted Mexico in broad strokes of despair and danger, a land riddled with corruption, violence, and poverty. This portrayal, deeply ingrained in the American psyche, has been a convenient veil, obscuring the vibrant, resilient heart of a nation on the brink of monumental transformation.

The American narrative has long chosen to spotlight the drug trade, casting a shadow over Mexico’s rich cultural tapestry and innovative spirit. It’s a narrative that conveniently overlooks the United States’ own insatiable appetite for narcotics, a demand that fuels the very trade it condemns. American cinema has glorified its mobsters and drug lords in films like “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas,” while simultan...

By Hector H. Lopez

In the intricate weave of life's tapestry, each story threads through the fabric of our existence, infusing it with the hues of our dreams and aspirations. My reflections on the vlog journey of day 14,405 transcend the mere recounting of travels. It unveils a profound exploration where the convergence of dreams with reality paints a vibrant tapestry of life, rich in color and texture.

Wandering the vivacious streets of Guadalajara, Jalisco, amidst the fervent aspirations of budding chefs and psychologists, I found a mirror to my own odyssey. A journey interlaced with the unexpected and serendipitous, echoing the depth of our shared human experiences. It's a narrative that subtly whispers of untold stories, resonating with the richness of our collective spirit.

This path has led me to a profound revelation of storytelling's transformative power. Capturing the soul of our d...

by Hector H. Lopez

Today, I'm drawn back to a pivotal encounter in Colombia with German Barbosa. Our interaction, captured in a vlog, transcends the bounds of a simple travel diary, venturing deep into the realms of creativity, social entrepreneurship, and a rich, nuanced interpretation of the American Dream. This narrative, with all its authenticity (quirky hairstyle included!), resonates profoundly with my current life in Mexico City.

Residing in Mexico City has been more than a mere relocation; it has been an awakening to new perspectives. Here, amidst the city's vibrant fusion of history and contemporaneity, I've found an unexpected clarity and joy. This experience has granted me a fresh understanding of Octavio Paz's 'El Laberinto de la Soledad.' His exploration of identity and duality now strikes a deeper chord, reflecting my own experience of living between American and Mexicano ide...

by Hector H. Lopez

As we stand on the precipice of transformative change, this latest video message is a clarion call to all visionaries and innovators who share our mission at BeNeXT Global. It's a reflection of our journey together, a celebration of the creativity and audacious spirit that define our community.

Beyond Landscapes: Harnessing Latin America's Cultural Wealth

Latin America is not just a land of breathtaking landscapes and ancient traditions; it is a reservoir of untapped potential and creative energy. Our mission goes beyond exploring this rich cultural tapestry; it involves harnessing this potential to uplift our communities. By honoring our cultural heritage, we aim to bring innovative projects to the forefront, making a profound impact on society.

Prioritizing People and Experience

At BeNeXT Global, our endeavors transcend simple exploration. We are committed to de...

by Hector H. Lopez

In the evolving landscape of global challenges, the need for innovative, sustainable solutions through social entrepreneurship has never been more urgent. Reflecting on my journey, I am constantly reminded of the profound impact and the roots of social entrepreneurship—a movement not just for profit, but for positive change.

The Genesis and Power of Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship began as a response to societal needs, offering innovative and sustainable solutions. It has evolved into a powerful vehicle for change, embodying hope and action. This aligns closely with my life's mission at BeNeXT Global, where we use entrepreneurial skills to drive substantial community and global transformation.

The Growing Need for Purpose-Driven Leaders

Our world stands at a critical crossroads that requires more than just traditional business acumen. We need leaders...

by Hector H. Lopez

As I stand on the brink of revealing some major new initiatives at BeNeXT Global, I find myself reflecting on the profound journey that has brought us here. This reflection isn't just about nostalgia; it's about harnessing the lessons of the past to propel us forward. In my latest vlog, I take you back to my days at Georgetown University with my friend Niaz Uddin, exploring the legacies that have shaped us and the dreams that drive our future.

Dreaming Big and Building Legacies

At Georgetown, the seeds of ambition were sown. This experience was more than just an education; it was a cultivation of the drive to make a substantial impact on the world. Today, as we stand poised to transition BeNeXT Global into an educational institution, these memories reinforce our mission to not just dream, but to act boldly.

Expanding Horizons Through Education

The upcoming announcem...

by Hector H. Lopez

As we embrace the Year of the Dragon, I find myself reflecting deeply on the theme of legacy—what it means, how it shapes us, and the powerful influence it holds over our futures. This reflection is deeply personal, stemming from the enduring impacts of my beloved grandparents, Mi Tata and Abuelita Martita, whose stories and values continue to guide my journey both as a social entrepreneur and as a person deeply connected to my roots.

A Tribute to Resilience and Vision

My grandfather, Mi Tata, was not just a family patriarch but a beacon of resilience and vision. From his humble beginnings as a traveling salesman to becoming a respected business leader in Mexico, his story is a testament to the power of persistence and courage. His life's narrative has not only inspired me but also laid the foundational ethos of BeNeXT Global, where we now prepare to launch professi...

by Hector H. Lopez

As I stepped back onto the vibrant streets of Mexico City (CDMX), the dynamic pulse of this sprawling metropolis seemed to echo the fiery spirit of the Year of the Dragon, heralding a year filled with promise and transformation. This isn't just a return to the city I adore—it's a leap into a transformative journey that intertwines my personal aspirations with the groundbreaking ambitions of BeNeXT Global.

Mexico City, with its rich tapestry of culture, history, and unbridled creativity, provides the perfect backdrop for the revolutionary changes that await. The city's energy fuels my commitment to forge new paths in professional development and education, reflecting BeNeXT Global's mission to reshape the landscape of higher education and professional certification through innovative, socially responsible initiatives.

The Power of Legacy in Professional Growth

Legacy ...