August 12, 2019
Christina Jimenez
cjimenez@cccco.edu
T 916.322.4004
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Community Colleges Board of Governors President Tom Epstein issued the following statement on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s appointment of Felicia Escobar Carrillo, Alma Salazar and Colm Fitzgerald to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors:
“It is an honor to welcome Ms. Carrillo, Ms. Salazar and Mr. Fitzgerald to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors,” Epstein said. “They bring a mix of experience and perspectives that will serve our 115 colleges and 2.1 million students well. Governor Newsom has chosen outstanding community leaders who will help our students achieve their educational goals efficiently and equitably.”
Felicia Escobar Carrillo, 42, of Los Angeles, has been director of immigration for the Beacon Fund since 2017. She was a consultant for the implementation of the Los Angeles Justice Fund for the California Community Foundation from 2017 to 2019, special assistant to the President for immigration policy at the White House from 2014 to 2017 and senior policy director for the Domestic Policy Council at the White House from 2012 to 2014. Escobar Carrillo was senior legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Ken Salazar from 2004 to 2007 and associate director of the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee from 2003 to 2005. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Alma Salazar, 45, of Long Beach, has been senior vice president of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce since 2014. She held multiple positions at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, including vice president from 2008 to 2014 and director from 2000 to 2008. She earned a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership and a Master of Public Policy degree from California State University, Long Beach.
Colm Fitzgerald, 19, of Stockton, has been a student at San Joaquin Delta College since 2018 and vice chair of communications for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges since 2019.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 115 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; degree and certificate pathways; and basic skills education in English and math. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision for Success, a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate achievement gaps. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
