General Information:

Marisela Cervantes grew up in the City of Paramount and has devoted her career to advancing education. As a young college student, she began preparing area youth academically in Math and English to enter college. After graduation, she turned this work into her profession in the Office of Outreach and Recruitment at Cal State L.A.

"I am currently the Executive Director of the Southeast Cities Schools Coalition, a public Joint-Powers Authority formed by six cities to reform education with LAUSD. Our pioneering work was recently recognized with an award for Innovation in Government from the local chapter of the American Society for Public Administration."

"Locally, I chair the Measure S-Citizen Oversight Committee for the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District, charged with ensuring that funds from the $165 million voter approved bond are used as specified. I am also a member of the Advocacy Committee for the Cal State L.A. Alumni Association, where I lobby for legislation affecting students’ access to the CSU and its programs."

College Education:

Graduate of the Hispanas Organized for Political Equity (HOPE) Leadership Institute, and holds a B.A. in Political Science from Cal State L.A. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from the Center for Public Policy and Administration at Cal State Long Beach.

Notable Accomplishments

1) Recognized with an award for Innovation in Government from the Los Angeles Metro chapter of the American Society for Public Administration for her pioneering work with coalition of cities and the Los Angeles Unified School District to reform education (2008).

2) Woman-Democrat of the Year, 56th Assembly District, Los Angeles County Democratic Party, 2009

3) Elected, Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee, 56th Assembly District

4) Elected, District Level Delegate to DNCC, Senator Hillary Clinton ASPA Winston Crouch Award for Innovation in Government, 2008

5) HOPE Leadership Institute, 2005