Julio C. Puentes
USDA-HSI Regional Director
(Illinois/Midwest)
Julio is the new USDA- HSI Regional Director for Illinois, and the Midwest. As the newest Regional Director of the USDA-Hispanic-Serving Institutions National Program team, Julio will be charged with creating strategic partnerships between USDA and HSI’s from the new USDA-HSI Midwest regional office, hosted at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Illinois. Julio will also serve as a resource for students, faculty, and staff in accessing USDA educational, professional, and institutional development programs.
After graduation, Julio decided to move to Washington D.C. to pursue a career in International Affairs. However, his career path quickly changed when he was given the opportunity to work as a program assistant, and later as the Assistant Director for the HACU National Internship Program. It was at HACU that Julio re-evaluated his goals, and realized the great importance he held for Higher Education. In addition, through his work at HACU, Julio was amazed at the vast number of student and professional opportunities that the Federal Government offered. However he was also in disbelief at the underrepresentation of Latino professionals employed within the Federal Government. While growing up, due to the lack of awareness, the idea of pursuing a federal career was a possibility he could not even imagine considering. Julio feels that many young Latinos today across the nation may have the same sentiment due to the same lack of awareness. As member of the HSI National Program, Julio hopes to help change this mindset while assisting in promotion of these amazing opportunities.
Julio is a native of Chicago, IL and currently resides in his childhood neighborhood of La Villita. He earned his bachelor's degree in International Studies from DePaul University.
USDA-HSI Regional Director, Illinois/Midwest
Northeastern Illinois University
Sachs Administration Building, Rm C-628
5500 N. St. Louis Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60625-4699
Phone: 773.442.4235
Fax: 773.442.5070
Email: Julio.Puentes@ars.usda.gov
