Communities In Schools Welcomes Two New Members to National Board of Directors
Communities In Schools, the largest national organization dedicated to empowering at-risk students to stay in school and on a path to a brighter future, welcomed Juan Sepúlveda and Zac Guevara to its National Board of Directors today.
“We are pleased to officially welcome these new directors to our National Board,” said Elaine Wynn, CIS National Board Chairman. “They bring extensive and wide-ranging expertise and will provide fresh and valuable perspectives to support our organization’s mission to help our students reach their full potential.”
Juan is the Lillian Radford Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, where he teaches urban education, politics, community building and leadership. Zac Guevara is a Chartered Financial Analyst who retired in 2009 to more actively work in the community after serving as an investment analyst, research director, board member, and executive vice president with Capital International Research, Inc.
“Research tells us that the American Dream is in crisis — playing by the rules and working hard no longer guarantees you a shot at a better life. And the opportunity gap continues to expand, with many kids not getting access to the resources and networks that can help them reach their full potential,” said Juan. “I am proud to be joining the CIS national board, an organization that views all kids as our kids and that provides an evidence-based approach to helping young people and their families navigate the private, public, and nonprofit systems in their communities that provide invaluable resources, networks and services. With CIS’s research-proven model, last year more than a million and half students moved closer to their own American Dream."
Read Juan Sepúlveda’s full bio.
Zac currently serves on the board of the California Endowment (past Chair) and Homeboy Industries and has served in the past on the board of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (past chair), Para Los Niños (past chair), Self Help Graphics & Art, KIPP – Los Angeles, Communities In Schools of Los Angeles, and I Have a Dream Foundation – Los Angeles.
“As a board member of the Los Angeles affiliate, I studied and was able to closely observe the Communities In Schools' model in action. I became a devoted advocate of CIS after witnessing the life- changing power and impressive results that integrated student supports achieve. I'm excited to join the national board and contribute to the expansion of educational opportunities and improved outcomes throughout the U.S.”
“It is a privilege to have such distinguished leaders join the Communities In Schools family," said Dale Erquiaga, President & CEO of Communities In Schools National Office. “As we continue to strive to move the needle forward in support of student-centered learning, we are fortunate to have them provide strategic advice and leadership to our organization."
