It is with deep sadness that we share that IMSA’s former President, Dr. José M. Torres, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2025, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, after a brief illness. Dr. Torres led IMSA from 2014 to 2021, leaving a lasting mark on the Academy through his unwavering commitment to educational equity, innovation and excellence.
During his tenure, Dr. Torres successfully navigated IMSA through unprecedented times, including three years with no state-appropriated budget, as well as the global COVID-19 pandemic. His accomplishments at IMSA include the development of a board-approved diversity, equity and inclusion policy, the execution of a global vision surrounding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as completed renovations of the Steve and Jamie Chen Center for Innovation, science labs, and the auditorium. He was also the driving force in securing IMSA as the host of the 14th annual International Student Science Fair, making IMSA the first school to host the event in the United States.
Born and raised in La Playita, Santurce, Puerto Rico, Dr. Torres was deeply influenced by his early experiences with poverty. This background fueled his lifelong mission to end poverty through education. He believed that providing excellent and equitable education was essential to achieving this goal, a belief that resonated with IMSA’s mission to ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition.
Dr. Torres was recognized nationally for his contributions to education, notably receiving the 2014 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award from the American Association of School Administrators. He was one of only three educators in the U.S. to receive this prestigious honor.
During his retirement, Dr. Torres dedicated himself to writing, publishing, and humanitarian efforts, especially in his homeland of Puerto Rico. His literary work was often shaped by his experiences at IMSA, most notably in his recent publication, Teaching STEM with the World in Mind: Sparking the Future. The book follows the fictional Dr. Manuel Toya as he uncovers innovative ways to empower students to make a meaningful impact on society, a mission Dr. Torres championed during his time at IMSA, and one we remain dedicated to upholding.
In the words of his family and those who loved him:
“He loved learning—so much so that he often bought more books than he read, not out of neglect, but out of hope. His shelves were filled with possibility. He cried freely at sad movies, TV shows, and even commercials, finding in them a thread of humanity that touched him deeply. He viewed emotion not as weakness, but as witness to what matters.
Though death came swiftly, he met it as he lived—with presence, courage, and gratitude. He often said, “To thrive is not to avoid suffering, but to greet it with open hands and a steady gaze.”‘
There will be a private service for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization aligned with his lifelong pursuit of justice and equity.
Our thoughts are with Dr. Torres’ family, friends, and all who were fortunate to know and work alongside him.
