Zenaida Landeros

A Lifelong Connection to Education

Zenaida Landeros is a lifelong resident of Moline who attended Black Hawk College and graduated in 2004 with an Associate in Arts degree.

She continued her education at Augustana College, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2007, and later completed an Executive Master’s degree in nonprofit administration from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame in 2017.

Zenaida began her professional career in higher education as a program assistant with the University of Illinois Extension before serving as a research study coordinator at Palmer College of Chiropractic.

Leading Through Growth and Change

In 2012, Zenaida transitioned into the business and nonprofit sector with the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Her leadership abilities and dedication quickly led to expanded responsibilities, progressing from a managerial role to program director and eventually executive director.

Her passion for education ultimately led her back to higher education leadership, where she assumed leadership of the Black Hawk College Foundation in June 2020.

Taking on the role during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zenaida quickly recognized the challenges students faced as courses transitioned online. She proactively pursued and secured grant funding to expand access to technology resources, helping increase the availability of laptops and hotspots for students by approximately 30 percent during a critical period for remote learning.

Advocating for Community and Opportunity

Beyond her professional leadership, Zenaida remains actively involved in organizations dedicated to supporting education, inclusion, and community engagement throughout the Quad Cities.

She serves on the League of United Latin American Citizens Council 5285, the Ascentra Credit Union Latino Advisory Committee, and the Community Advisory Board for WQPT PBS.

Through her continued advocacy, leadership, and commitment to student success, Zenaida has helped expand opportunities for individuals and families across the region while strengthening the mission of the institutions she serves.