Episode 11: A Warm Family – The Roots of Social Justice and Advocacy with Dr. Rosa García
In our eleventh episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Rosa García, a Chicana educator and activist passionately dedicated to social justice and educational equity. Dr. García, the Executive Director of the Community Learning Partnership and the California Youth Leadership Corps, joins us to share her life story, starting from her roots in a large, working-class Mexican immigrant family in East Los Angeles. Dr. García talks about how her parents’ ethos of care, community, and support, despite limited resources, shaped her worldview and commitment to advocacy.
Dr. García delves into her path to becoming an influential figure in community college education and advocacy, highlighting her experiences with systemic barriers like racism and sexism. She reflects on her roles in various capacities, from college admissions advocating for students of color to working in Congress, and how these experiences fueled her drive for creating equitable educational opportunities. We discuss her innovative work in building cohort-based models for community college students, fostering a beloved community of support and empowerment, particularly for marginalized and first-generation students.
As we navigate through Dr. García’s journey, she emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, mentorship, and the empowerment of young leaders. Join us to hear about Dr. García’s relentless pursuit of social change, her advocacy for immigrant rights, language justice, and her vision for a more inclusive, equitable educational landscape. This episode is a testament to the power of passion and the impact of nurturing community-based leadership in the fight against systemic inequality.
Episode 11: A Warm Family - The Roots of Social Justice and Advocacy with Dr. Rosa García
About Rosa
Rosa M. García, Ed.D., is a prominent figure in the field of education and social justice. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the California Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC) and the Community Learning Partnership (CLP), where she plays a pivotal role in collaborating with public institutions, nonprofits, social justice organizations, and community partners. Her work focuses on promoting an equitable and inclusive democracy in California and nationwide, primarily by expanding innovative community change career pathways for historically marginalized college students, turning them into community organizers, change agents, and local leaders.
Previously, she was the Director of Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), a national anti-poverty policy organization, where she advocated for equitable access to education for underrepresented groups. García has also held various roles in policy and higher education, including senior positions at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, HACU, and the Maryland State Board of Education. Her academic background includes degrees from Wesleyan University, Columbia University, UCLA, Baruch College, CUNY, and an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. A committed advocate for education and social justice, García, a Los Angeles native and daughter of Mexican immigrants, has dedicated her career to empowering diverse communities.
