On November 13, 2025, more than 200 educators, students, and community leaders gathered at Cal State San Bernardino for the Educational Leadership Summit, themed “Education in the Balance: Advancing Equity and Social Justice in Today’s America.” Among the keynote speakers was Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President and CEO of Growing Inland Achievement (GIA), who delivered a compelling message on the role of data, investment, and leadership in building an equitable future for the Inland Empire.
Dr. Vaidya’s presentation, The Impacts of Equity Measures on Educational Attainment in the Inland Greater Empire: Allowing Data to Speak, called attention to the urgent need for intentional investment in educational systems that expand opportunity. Drawing from regional data, Dr. Vaidya demonstrated the clear link between postsecondary attainment and increased earnings, job stability, and overall quality of life. “Educational equity is not just a moral imperative,” he noted. “It’s a driver of economic vitality across our communities.”
As the Inland Empire’s trusted regional coordinating organization for educational advancement, GIA has been at the forefront of efforts to close equity gaps and increase attainment across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Dr. Vaidya’s remarks underscored GIA’s strategic focus: aligning data, resources, and systems to support the success of historically underserved student populations—including Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income communities.
Throughout his address, Dr. Vaidya challenged participants to reframe how equity is measured—not only in terms of access, but in outcomes. He highlighted examples of how institutions are leveraging data to redesign curriculum, improve advising, and eliminate barriers to student completion. These efforts, he emphasized, are most effective when guided by local insights and implemented in partnership.
His message resonated with the summit’s broader themes, which included reflections from statewide leaders like State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Orenda Education founder Dr. Robin Avelar La Salle. Conversations centered on how educational leaders can sustain progress amid polarization, budget uncertainty, and changing student needs. Watch Dr. Vaidya’s full keynote here: YouTube Link.
The summit also celebrated local changemakers with a series of awards, recognizing excellence in leadership across roles, from classified staff and counselors to superintendents and student advocates.
Watch the full summit recording: YouTube Link
