Abraham Luis Dones

Dr. Abraham Luis Dones is a visionary higher education leader and equity champion with over two decades of experience transforming institutions to better serve students, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.

Currently serving as Vice President and Chief Student Services Officer at Durham Technical Community College, Dr. Dones leads comprehensive student support operations, guides cross-functional teams, and drives systems-level innovation that improves access, engagement, and student success. A steadfast advocate for transformation, Dr. Dones centers his leadership on empowering students and removing systemic barriers to upward mobility. He has spearheaded key initiatives that reimagined how student services are delivered—including the creation of Durham Tech’s Student Resource Center resulting in significantly expanded student support and engagement. His leadership reflects a “Students First” philosophy and a deep commitment to culturally responsive, student-focused practices informed by his own lived experiences.

Dr. Dones contributes to the advancement of student success at the state and national levels through his work with various community college initiatives. He serves as a coach for Achieving the Dream, where he supports institutions in building equity-centered frameworks, improving data-informed decision-making, and developing strategies that foster transformational change across campuses. His previous work with guided pathways, credit for prior learning, and system-wide reform efforts in North Carolina has positioned him as a collaborative leader adept at navigating complexity and building sustainable, student-centered solutions. Beyond his work in higher education, Dr. Dones serves on the boards of Porch Durham and LatinxEd, championing equity, access, and community empowerment beyond the college campus.

A creative thinker, motivator, and systems-level change agent, Dr. Dones remains committed to creating environments where all students can thrive and succeed.