Vanguard University

Vanguard University’s Jesse Miranda Center for Hispanic Leadership (JMC) stands at the forefront of nurturing Hispanic leaders. Named in honor of Pentecostal pioneer Dr. Jesse Miranda, the center exists to educate, equip, and empower Latina/o leaders across three vital domains: campus, church, and community. These pillars guide its mission at a university that values leadership rooted in faith and cultural identity. 

Signature Programs: Ignite, Mentorship, and Scholarships 

JMC’s Ignite Leadership Program spans four years and addresses leadership development in stages, from personal and relational to team and organizational leadership. The program is designed to celebrate culture while equipping students to lead in diverse settings, while fostering confidence and leadership.
 

Complementing Ignite, the center offers mentorship and directs students to scholarship opportunities that support spiritual, academic, and personal growth. By connecting students with mentors and vital financial resources, the center strengthens retention and supports success. 

Building on a Legacy of Latino Leadership

Since its inception, the center has reinforced Vanguard’s identity as a Hispanic‑Serving Institution, with Hispanic students comprising a significant portion of the student body. The center’s establishment in 2000 signaled Vanguard’s intentional commitment to Hispanic students, nurturing them into Christ-centered leaders equipped academically and spiritually. 
 
“I came to the Ignite Leadership Program seeking to develop my leadership skills and not only was I able to develop my communication skills and empathy for others,” Emiliano Sosa '26, Ignite Leadership Program Student. “I left with a community who spoke my language, understood my roots, and believed in my potential.” 

Aligned with Vanguard’s Mission 

Rooted in Vanguard’s broader mission “to equip each student for Spirit‑empowered lives of Christ‑centered leadership and service,” the JMC embodies the university’s values of truth, virtue, and service. 

“It is my desire and goal for our students to graduate with unwavering confidence and a true sense of ownership,” said Celina Canales, director, Jesse Miranda Center. “We want our students to leave Vanguard well-equipped to step boldly into their chosen fields, embracing their purpose and calling, and bring to bear the fullness of who God has created them to be.” 

By cultivating leadership among Latino students through faith, community, and academic rigor, the Jesse Miranda Center continues to uplift voices and shape leaders grounded in Christ and culture.