Dean of the School of Construction Arts & Technical Studies

Cristina Alvarado-Suarez is an educator, and academic leader with over two decades of experience advancing technical education, workforce development, and industry partnerships in higher education. She currently serves as Dean of the School of Construction Arts & Technical Studies (CATS) at Delgado Community College, where she oversees a diverse portfolio of construction, design, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades programs dedicated to student success, industry alignment, and regional economic impact.

Dean Alvarado-Suarez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies, as well as bachelor’s and master's degrees in Architecture from Tulane University. She is also a graduate of the Women’s Leadership Academy at Loyola University New Orleans and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Development at Northwestern State University. Her interdisciplinary academic foundation brings a unique blend of design expertise, strategic leadership, cultural awareness, and operational vision to higher education. She is recognized for driving sustained enrollment growth, modernizing academic curricula, removing barriers to student completion, expanding dual enrollment opportunities, and strengthening workforce and Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways throughout the region.

A proud New Orleans native, Dean Alvarado-Suarez spent her formative years in Nicaragua during a period of post-war reconstruction—an experience that profoundly shaped her worldview, resilience, and leadership philosophy. Witnessing the rebuilding of communities in Nicaragua, followed by the reconstruction of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, inspired her lifelong commitment to building stronger institutions, empowering communities, and creating pathways of opportunity through education. These experiences also instilled in her a deep understanding of how bureaucracy, inequity, and privilege can hinder innovation and progress—fueling her commitment to transparent, collaborative, and people-centered leadership.

Dean Alvarado-Suarez believes that the strongest organizations are built through teamwork, shared ownership, and communal investment in decision-making. Her leadership reflects an open-door philosophy, consistent engagement with faculty and staff, and a commitment to fostering environments where innovation and accountability thrive. She is particularly passionate about the intersection of education, architecture, technology, and artificial intelligence, with an emerging focus on generative design, automation, and preparing the next generation of professionals for the rapidly evolving future of work.