Maria Fuentes

The immediate past president of the Board of Trustees of San José/Evergreen Community College District has a distinguished personal and professional record as an advocate and in community service.

“I believe public education in California is one of the greatest avenues for personal independence, achievement and fulfillment; and I think it should be equally available to all California residents,” says Ms. Fuentes who is serving her fourth term as Community College Trustee. This position enables her to pursue her passion for students’ right for a quality education that can help them achieve their life’s goals and personal dreams. As a policy maker and carrier of the public trust, Maria Fuentes is known for approaching her responsibilities with deep caring, compassion and concern for the constituencies she serves.

In 1970, as a young college student, she worked for the United Farm Workers union on the grape boycott in Los Angeles, where she felt empowered learning that she could make a difference for her community. The experience left a lasting mark and set the path to a life of fighting for justice. Always searching for opportunities to work with others towards the goal of strength and fairness for all, she has remained inspired by the words of her hero, Cesar Chavez: Sí se puede! - It can be done!

Her extensive professional experience spans a career in the public and non-profit sectors where she has been manager, administrator, mediator, advocate and direct service provider primarily in the field of public mental health. Both in her professional and personal life, Ms. Fuentes has counted on the support and positive influence of her parents and their values of honesty, hard work, deep faith and service to others.

With a masters degree in Social Welfare from University of California, Berkeley, Maria Fuentes has carved a reputable career in the mental health field where she has been instrumental in developing and implementing policies and programs for high risk ethnic populations of all ages at local and state level.

Her college education began at Bakersfield Community College. From San Jose State University she received a BA in Liberal Studies with emphasis in Elementary Education and a minor in Mexican American Studies. Her Masters in Social Welfare is from University of California Berkeley.

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