Indy Standard

Dr. Rachel Santos has been appointed as the Director of External Affairs at IPS, where she will support legislative affairs, civic engagement, and strategic partnership strategies.

Santos is recognized for her leadership within the Latino community, emphasizing community engagement and educational equity. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University South Bend and a Master of Public Affairs from IUPUI’s O’Neil School of Public and Environmental Affairs, where she received the William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion.

Her professional background includes roles in local government, non-profit management, and K-12 education. At the Indiana Latino Institute, Santos organized events such as the Latino Education Summits to support Indiana students. As Director of Education Policy at the institute, she worked to improve educational opportunities across the state.

Santos' advocacy efforts have earned her several awards including United Way of Central Indiana’s Nonprofit Employee of the Year and the 5 for 500 Advocacy Award from Indy Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council. She is also noted as the first Latina appointed chair of the Indianapolis Mayor’s Charter School Board.

In addition to her new role at IPS, Santos serves as an adjunct professor at IUPUI’s O’Neil School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She earned her Doctor of Education (EdD) from the University of Dayton, becoming the first doctor in her family.