Maria Teresa Donate, associate professor of counseling at Northampton Community College , is one of eleven Latino leaders from across the Commonwealth chosen by Governor Ed Rendell to serve on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. Rendell described the people he appointed as “leaders who are committed to serving their community and representing the voice of Latinos statewide.”

First as director of admissions at NCC and now as a member of the faculty, Donate has been very active in the community, serving as president of the Latino Leadership Alliance of the Lehigh Valley and as a member of the Board of Governors of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Statewide Latino Coalition, the Allentown Art Museum board, Musikfest Council, Board of Associates of Muhlenberg College, the Bethlehem Area School District’s Advisory Committee for Diversity; and as Co-Chair of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Latino Task Force. She is also a graduate of Leadership Lehigh Valley.

Commenting on her appointment to the Governor’s Commission, Donate said, “The vitality and growth of the Lehigh Valley region depends on the success and well being of its citizenry. Latinos are an important part of the population. Through my participation on the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, I intend to bring to the forefront issues that will deter the development of this human capital. It is a vital component for this region’s prosperity.”

Donate earned a bachelor of arts degree in social sciences from the University of Puerto Rico magna cum laude and went on to complete a master of arts degree in guidance and counseling at the Inter American University summa cum laude. She is a strong proponent of education as the key to opportunity and advancement.

Commenting on her appointment to the Governor’s Commission, Donate said, “The vitality and growth of the Lehigh Valley region depends on the success and well being of its citizenry. Latinos are an important part of the population. Through my participation on the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, I intend to bring to the forefront issues that will deter the development of this human capital. It is a vital component for this region’s prosperity.”

Donate earned a bachelor of arts degree in social sciences from the University of Puerto Rico magna cum laude and went on to complete a master of arts degree in guidance and counseling at the Inter American University summa cum laude. She is a strong proponent of education as the key to opportunity and advancement.