Chair, Nominating Committee

Proud to be a First Generation Student turned First Generation Professional. Dedicated her career to advocating for antiracist practices and empowering underserved communities. Holds a BA in Spanish with a minor in Multicultural Education. A CA Teaching Credential with a Bilingual, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) authorization. An MA in Multicultural Education from California State University, Sacramento. She is a strong proponent of community colleges since her higher education journey began at Lake Tahoe Community College. Her lived experiences, combined with her academic acumen, serve as a powerful conduit for her continued community engagement.

Her teaching career spans multiple age groups and settings, from elementary schools to adult schools, and includes experience in Spanish Language and Culture, English as a New Language, Ethnomathematics and Culturally Responsive Family and Digital Literacy.

Josefina has also worked in healthcare, addressing health inequities and disparities as a community health worker. As a former director of a federal STEM grant at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), she championed for more equitable opportunities for intentionally excluded students.

Since relocating to Minnesota, Josefina has discovered a wealth of opportunities to deepen her commitment to lifelong learning and advocacy, further fueling her passion for creating positive change. She currently serves on the Cultural and Ethnic Leadership Council (CECLC), the Citizen Review Panel for Hennepin County and the Environmental Justice Committee at Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina (COPAL). She has completed the Minnesota Educator Academy FIRE (Facing Inequities and Racism in Education) program through Education Minnesota and is currently completing a policy and legislative fellowship at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading in both English and Spanish, exploring the outdoors, and traveling. The quote by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie resonates with her: "I think you travel to search and come back home to find yourself there." She joined this board because she believes music and art education can be powerful tools for liberation and healing.