Join us for a timely and enlightening conversation covering the converging worlds of real estate, antisemitism, and education.
Who: JFEDLA’s REC Network
What: REC Cabinet Breakfast
When: Monday, March 9th • 7:15 - 9:00 AM
Where: Century City location shared with registrants
Cost: Free for REC Cabinet Members; $75 for First-time Guests and Members of JFEDLA’s Professional Networks; $125 for Non-Members
For more information, contact Jenny Schumacher at REC@JewishLA.org or (323) 761-8430. NO WALK-INS WILL BE PERMITTED. Space is limited, so please register ASAP.
We look forward to seeing you on March 9th!
Dr. Alberto J. Román's remarkable journey from an immigrant background to becoming the Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of education. For over two decades, he has been a dedicated advocate for educational equity, tirelessly working to create meaningful pathways to success for underserved communities.
Dr. Román has experienced the academic landscape from multiple perspectives – beginning as a classified employee and faculty member, and progressing to become a college president and Vice Chancellor of Human Resources. At LACCD, one of the nation's largest and most diverse community college systems, his leadership as Vice Chancellor modernized hiring practices, championed diversity and inclusion through targeted professional development, and prioritized the holistic well-being of faculty and staff, ultimately enhancing the educational experience for over 200,000 students across nine colleges.
As President of East Los Angeles College (ELAC), Dr. Román demonstrated exceptional skill in boosting enrollment through innovative strategies. Recognizing the barriers that prevent many potential students from accessing higher education, he implemented comprehensive outreach programs that directly engaged underserved communities. These initiatives included targeted community workshops, partnerships with local high schools, and innovative marketing campaigns that highlighted the tangible career and personal growth opportunities offered by community colleges. Under his leadership, ELAC not only became one of California's largest community colleges by enrollment but also developed a replicable model for increasing student access and participation in higher education.
His approach to enrollment went beyond numbers, focusing on creating a welcoming and supportive environment that attracts and retains students. Dr. Román introduced user-friendly enrollment processes, expanded online and flexible learning options, and developed support systems that addressed the unique challenges faced by non-traditional students. These efforts resulted in significant increases in student enrollment, particularly among historically underrepresented populations.
As President of ELAC, Dr. Román elevated the institution to a statewide model of educational excellence. His strategic approach emphasized diversity, equity, and inclusion, resulting in groundbreaking initiatives that meaningfully addressed achievement gaps for students of color and expanded educational access for underrepresented populations. This commitment was recognized through ELAC receiving the prestigious John W. Rice Equity and Student Success Award for its remarkable progress in promoting equity and increasing transfer and completion rates.
Beyond academic achievements, Dr. Román has consistently championed programs addressing critical challenges such as food and housing insecurity, providing robust support for foster youth, undocumented students, and justice-impacted learners. His holistic approach creates a campus environment where students feel empowered to pursue their educational goals.
Appointed Interim Chancellor in November 2024 and officially as Chancellor on May 7, 2025, Dr. Román brings a visionary perspective to LACCD's leadership. His strategic priorities include expanding quality educational access, enhancing support for vulnerable student populations, and cultivating strategic community partnerships – all while maintaining rigorous fiscal responsibility.
His academic credentials reflect his professional accomplishments. Dr. Román holds a doctorate and master's degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside. More than a leader, Dr. Román represents possibility itself. His journey serves as an inspiring blueprint for a shared commitment to equity and excellence, illuminating a path toward a brighter future for the communities LACCD serves.
Sara Hernandez has been a proud resident of California’s 26th Senate District for over 20 years. The 26th encompasses the communities where Sara has laid down roots, started her career, pursued an education, worked to lift up community and residents, created a family and is actively engaged to make this district more livable and prosperous.
Sara began her career as an LAUSD middle school teacher, committed to ensuring her students could overcome adversity and achieve their educational goals. As a teacher, she founded the nonprofit, Helping Young People Excel (HYPE), which identifies low-income students in middle school and provides them with life-changing educational opportunities and resources to succeed in college and beyond. In 2015, HYPE merged with Young Eisner Scholars, an organization that serves students across Los Angeles as well as in New York, Chicago and Appalachia.
It was this work with students and their struggles with homelessness, lack of public transit options, housing, food insecurity, immigration issues, and general access to public resources that led Sara to pursue a career in public policy and government. After earning a law degree, Sara worked in City Hall, where she led downtown revitalization efforts through a mix of strategic economic development policies; innovative policy initiatives; and investments in housing, homelessness, transportation, infrastructure, and green space.
Nick Melvoin is proud to serve the dynamic communities of District 4 as a Board Member at the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. First elected in 2017, Nick’s work is focused on increasing parent and community engagement, transparency, and accountability. He works to direct more resources to schools, protect our most vulnerable students, and bring a new spirit of partnership and collaboration to L.A.’s public schools. He chairs the district's Facilities & Procurement Committee, aiming to bring more transparency and accountability to campus projects and resource processes. He also serves on the district’s committee focused on early education. Prior to his election, Nick worked as a teacher, public interest attorney, nonprofit director, and an active board member of a number of community and political organizations. Nick has also worked in the Obama White House and the U.S. Attorney’s office. Nick is a graduate of Harvard College, NYU School of Law (where he earned a Root-Tilden-Kern Public Interest Scholarship), and Loyola Marymount University’s School of Education. He was a recent recipient of the Los Angeles Young Democrat of the Year Award.
Thank you to our 2026 Cabinet sponsors:
JFEDLA acts on shared values to create safe, joyful, and connected Jewish life in Los Angeles, Israel, and around the world. We care for the vulnerable by fighting poverty and combating antisemitism. We inspire by fostering Jewish journeys, building bridges, and developing leaders. Our dedicated partners, passionate staff, and your generosity make our work possible.
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