Faces of NLU: Dr. Antonio Tovar

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, this week's Faces of NLU spotlight features Dr. Antonio Tovar, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Computer Science.

For Dr. Antonio Tovar, choosing NLU came down to a shared belief: that higher education should open doors for students from every background. He was drawn to the university's emphasis on access, academic support, and career preparation, values he says align closely with how he approaches teaching computer science. "Those values align closely with how I approach teaching computer science. I believe students can succeed when they are given rigorous expectations, practical learning experiences, and the appropriate academic and personal support to reach those expectations."

That belief has shaped far more than his classroom. As the Computer Science program grew, Dr. Tovar took on a role in curriculum development, student support, and program expansion at the Wheeling campus. "I did not simply want to teach courses; I wanted to help build a program, mentor students, work with colleagues across the university, and connect computer science education with careers and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking, and data analytics."

Learn More About Earning Your Computer Science Degree at NLU

Dr. Tovar traces much of his approach to the values instilled by his culture, family, and community—education, perseverance, and service to others. "I have always viewed education as more than completing a degree or earning a credential," he explains. "It can change the direction of a student's life, especially when students have access to faculty who understand that academic success is often connected to family responsibilities, work obligations, financial pressures, and prior educational experiences."

That understanding became especially clear through his work with students outside the traditional classroom, alongside advisors, coaches, and Career Bridge. He saw firsthand that success in computer science depends on more than technical skill. "Students may understand the material but still struggle because of work schedules, family responsibilities, confidence, prior academic preparation, or uncertainty about how their coursework connects to a career."

The experience changed how he teaches. Dr. Tovar became more intentional about building learning communities, connecting assignments to real-world applications, and identifying students who might need extra support before they fall behind. "I began to see my role not simply as a professor who delivers course content, but as someone who can help shape the academic experience around the student."

For Dr. Tovar, Hispanic Heritage Month is a chance to recognize the experiences and contributions that Hispanic and Latino students, faculty, staff, and families bring to NLU — and a reminder of why representation matters, particularly in fields like computer science where many groups remain underrepresented. "It creates an opportunity to celebrate culture, but it should also encourage us to think about how we support students throughout the entire year," he says. "In my teaching, that means creating an environment where students feel respected, where different backgrounds and experiences are valued, and where students are encouraged to see themselves as capable professionals in computer science."

Asked to describe NLU in a single word, Dr. Tovar chose opportunity. "What led me to that word was seeing how often NLU creates pathways for students to move from the classroom into experiences that can shape their academic and professional futures." 

That word also reflects his own path. One of the biggest challenges in his journey has been balancing continued academic growth with the demands of teaching, professional work, and service. "There have been many points when the demands of work and education competed for the same time and energy," he says. "Continuing to move forward required discipline, patience, and a willingness to keep working even when progress felt slower than I wanted."

Dr. Tovar's message to prospective Latinx students is grounded in the same values that shaped his own path: "See higher education as an opportunity to build on the strengths you already bring from your families, communities, cultures, and life experiences. You do not have to leave those parts of yourself behind to succeed academically."

Learn More About NLU's Role as a Hispanic Serving Institution

He encourages students to ask for help and take advantage of everything available to them—building relationships with professors and advisors and pursuing internships, research, and student organizations. "In computer science, for example, confidence often grows through practice and exposure. You may not know everything when you begin, and that is perfectly normal."

His final piece of advice: stay persistent. "There will be difficult courses, competing responsibilities, and moments when progress feels slow. Keep moving forward. Your background and experiences can become important strengths in your education and future career, and NLU can provide a community where those strengths are recognized and developed."