About Me

I registered this website immediately after the conclusion of the 2004 United States Presidential Election. Devoted to communication, human development, education, political participation, civic entrepreneurship, and public service because I believe such issues are critical to the advancement of humankind.

I have a caring family consisting of my father, mother, older and younger brother. I am a voracious reader, enjoy exercising, an intense public speaker, and like to travel.

Bellflower High School

I was born in Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico and raised in Bellflower, a city located in Southeast Los Angeles County. I attended Washington Elementary School from 1991 to 1997, Bellflower Middle School from 1997 to 1999, and Bellflower High School from 1999 to 2003.

During high school, I served in student government as freshman Class Sergeant at Arms, sophomore Class President, junior Student Body Vice President and senior Student Body President. Furthermore, I ran cross country and track, was a member of the history and computer clubs and a Thespian.

Cerritos College

After graduating from high school in spring 2003, I attended Cerritos Community College in Norwalk, California where I studied and earned AAs in Economics and Political Science.

I was involved in the Associated Students of Cerritos College as a Student Senator, Faculty Senate Liaison, and one of the youngest Student Body President and Student Trustee.

I served on the Citizens for Cerritos College committee as the lead student organizer for the college’s successful 2004 $210 million General Obligation Bond (Measure CC) campaign.

University of California, Merced

In fall 2005, I transferred to the first public research university built in the 21st century: University of California, Merced. I earned a BA in Social, Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences with an emphasis in Public Policy.

My first year at UC Merced, I served as a Resident Assistant and Chair of the Committee on Constitution and By-Laws. The Committee was responsible for writing the constitution. Moreover, I interned for Congressman Dennis Cardoza in the Merced District Office.

During my second year at the university, I was the first Associated Students of UCM Student Body President, chair of the Executive Officers, and Director of Finance for the Rotaract Club. From July 2006 to November 2006, I served as the Special Assistant to the Director of Governmental Relations of the university. I served as the undergraduate student representative on the Committee to Advise the UC President on the Selection of a Chancellor for UC Merced.

In 2006, I was named a Strauss Scholar by the Donald A. Strauss Public Service Scholarship Foundation. The Foundation was “created as a memorial to the late Don Strauss, who demonstrated a strong, lifelong commitment to public service and education. The Foundation annually awards $10,000 scholarships to no fewer than 14 California college juniors who’ve reflected a similar commitment.”

In October 2010, I was named as the alumni representative on the Committee to Advise the UC President on the Selection of a Chancellor for UC Merced.

The Great Central Valley

In the Central Valley, I am the founder of Students for the Central Valley and an alumnus of the Great Valley Center’s Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders (IDEAL).

Moreover, I was the North San Joaquin Valley Regional Contest Organizer for The Campaign for College Opportunity‘s Save Me a Spot in College Contest.

I was actively involved in the Community Partnership Alliance, Merced County Association of Governments Citizens’ Advisory Committee, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, San Joaquin Valley Regional Blueprint Advisory Committee and Community-University Research and Action for Justice.

State of California

From December 2006 to August 2007, I served as the founding State Coordinator of Students for Barack Obama and as an advisor through November 2008.

In summer 2007, I was a Scholar Intern in the University of California Center Sacramento program. By September 2007, I was hired to work full-time for Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi in the State Capitol. My duties ranged from to traveling with the Lt. Governor throughout Northern California, the Bay Area and Central Valley and maintaining his website, to following high-speed rail and higher education policy and staffing him at UC Board of Regents meetings.

Since February 2008, I have coordinated Students for California’s Future, a coalition of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, California State Student Association and the University of California Student Association. In August 2011, we incorporated as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation focused on educating the general public, youth and students about the necessity of increasing investment in public education and higher education.

In March 2009, I took a leave from the State Capitol to work on the Garamendi for Congress campaign. On Tuesday, November 3, 2009, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi was elected to represent the people of California’s 10th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

Washington D.C.

In November 2009, I moved from Sacramento to Washington D.C. to work for Congressman John Garamendi in the nation’s capitol as his Senior Legislative Assistant. In the 111th Congress, I was responsible for the Congressman’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure assignment. In the 112th Congress, I am responsible for his Committee on Natural Resources assignment and “Make It In America” efforts.

My Future

I plan on pursuing a Doctorate in Political Science at a public university in California.