Commencement: Graduate & BOLD



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About Al Mijares

Dr. Al Mijares is vice president of the Western Region of the College Board. Providing leadership with a focus on regional and state education initiatives, he oversees the membership and governance of the region, which includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Dr. Mijares' experience with secondary and higher education supports the College Board's ongoing efforts to expand the high school-to-university pipeline, which helps students connect to college success.

He previously served as superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District, receiving national recognition for successfully meeting the needs of a diverse student body. In addition to several other administrative posts, he held faculty positions at Chapman University and Pepperdine University.

The son of an immigrant from Mexico, Mijares spent much of his childhood traveling among California farm communities where his father worked. This experience inspired him to help students, especially children of immigrants, fulfill their dreams through education. He earned his bachelor's degree in child development/special education from Cal State Northridge, his master's in social welfare from the UC Berkeley, and his doctorate from the USC.