I moved to Sacramento from Southern California in 2019, shortly after earning my PhD in Education from UCLA. Driven by a firm belief in the vital role community colleges play in our state’s success, I joined the Foundation for California Community Colleges as a Research Fellow to help strengthen that impact.

Deeply invested in uplifting the next generation of educators, I eventually transitioned into academia as a faculty member focused on educational leadership. In this role, I have had the privilege of mentoring students who are striving to lead transformative change within educational organizations across California’s Central Valley. As a former member of the California Faculty Association, I stood in solidarity with my colleagues to support the instructors and faculty who make the California State University system possible. Through my research, I identify how specific college policies and practices can inadvertently create barriers for students, and I work to name the systemic shifts needed to better support those seeking a higher education.

My passion for service also translates into community advocacy. In 2020, I joined the Friends of the Sacramento Public Library Board of Directors, eventually serving as Vice President. During my time, I have spearheaded external outreach and helped drive record-breaking fundraising efforts to support essential literacy programs throughout the Sacramento Public Library system.

As a staunch advocate for accessible higher education, I previously served on the UC Board of Regents and the California Student Aid Commission. In those roles, I led initiatives to reduce the total cost of attendance and strengthen basic need supports for students across California.

My wife, Breanna, and I moved to the Northlake community in Natomas in 2022. We were thrilled to welcome our daughter in 2023.