Faculty Profile: Frank Cardenas

Frank Cardenas is a community advocate whose passion for serving the public and advancing human rights has led him into a career in public service. He is an Equal Opportunity Counselor for the United States Federal Government, as well as a devoted activist pushing for equal rights for all marginalized individuals. He has a Master's Degree in Public Administration as well as a Master's Certification in Health Administration & Planning and is continuing to advance his education as a Doctoral Candidate working towards his dissertation. Frank was born and raised in a small town in rural west Tennessee. His parents were immigrants from Mexico and at the time were still undocumented. As a child, Frank realized the difficulties his parents faced raising both he and his disabled sister in a country that was foreign to them. Despite their obstacles, Frank's parents became citizens and worked hard to establish themselves in their community. At a very young age, Frank watched and experienced the American Dream, and his grasp of the power of that dream drives him today.

 

Frank was awarded a full-ride scholarship as an ""Emerging Leader Scholar"" to attend college at The University of Memphis. There he was awarded the title of Mr. University of Memphis, served as Senator for the Student Government Association, and became President of the Hispanic Student Association. He graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. Frank now resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife Elizabeth and their three young children, Max, Ben, and Vivian. He enjoys spending time with his family and coaching his son's youth soccer team. Frank is actively involved in his community, serving as an Executive Board Member of Directors for The University of Memphis Hispanic Alumni Association, which fosters scholarships for Hispanic students at the U of M to enhance and develop the Hispanic culture within the University. He is also a member of the National Human Rights Campaign and a member of the Nashville Healthcare Council. He is a frequent guest speaker on a local radio station promoting Hispanic community involvement. Frank is also the Chairman and Co-Founder of the "STR8NOHATE" campaign which recognizes the LGBT community in their pursuit of marriage equality. Professionally, he has been awarded the "Deputy Commissioner's Award," the second-highest honor presented in the Social Security Administration, for his dedication and effort in his community. He has been selected to participate in the FBI's 37th Annual Citizen's Academy due to his community leadership. He continues to help promote the opportunities and rights to individuals that he feels so fortunate to have received.