About
Meet Christine
Born and raised in Orange County, Christine always knew she wanted to work in education. After earning her bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, Christine began her work of advising and supporting college students. She served in different capacities over the years, from an academic coordinator to an associate dean of students.
The first in her household to go to college, Christine recognized the importance of paying it forward and the critical role that mentors played in her educational journey.
Now a nonprofit leader, Christine continues to work to empower youth to find their voice and to make a difference in their local communities.
With a commitment to educational community building, she has experience cultivating and strengthening relationships between local community organizations and colleges.
Christine has been nationally recognized for her work in student advisement and leadership, receiving awards from the American College Personnel Association, NASPA - Student Affairs in Higher Education, and the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Christine was a recognized as a nominee for Woman of the Year (Education) by Senator Tom Umberg (SD-34) in 2021 and again as a nominee in 2022 by Assembly Member Janet Nguyen (AD-72).
Before a career shift to nonprofit work, Christine had been an active leader in higher education - serving multiple national and regional organizations. At the K-12 level, Christine leads in education locally as a PTA leader at both the school and district-wide level.
Christine continues to serve as an advocate for her community and volunteers her time with additional of organizations including serving:
As a member of the Cal State Fullerton Alumni Association Board of Directors;
As a local Girl Scout Troop Leader;
As an Advocacy Ambassador for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties;
And as a volunteer community presenter for the Southern California Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Team.
Her personal mission and work
Christine's philosophy is to leave a place better than when she entered it. She believes that we are all an integral part of the community and have a responsibility to each other. Christine understands the power of finding our voice and, at work, empowers young people to find theirs.
Relationship Building
While managing national campus partner programs at the American Association of University Women in Washington, DC, Christine's strength was in building relationships between colleges and local community organizations. She has experience in engaging stakeholders through multiple methods. In building community, Christine consistently advocates for transparency and ongoing feedback collected from all stakeholders.
Christine is committed to collaborative leadership and strengthening relationships in the community.
Advocacy Experience
Christine has advocated on policies at the local, state, and federal level. In 2021, Christine was selected by Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) to provide witness testimony at a California Senate Committee on behalf of the nonprofit for SB 702. In 2024, Christine provided witness testimony on two Title IX related bills, AB2407 and AB2987, at the Assembly Standing Committee on Higher Education.
She has also lobbied for better health care access with both California Senate and Assembly Offices.
At the local level, Christine has experience working with school board members and administrators as a school PTA President and as a council PTA leader.
As a school board member, Christine will use her policy and advocacy skills to improve the Huntington Beach Union High School District.
Empowering Others
Christine believes in the power of finding our voices and making sure those voices are heard. For many years, Christine had served as a volunteer facilitator for Elect Her, a one-day nonpartisan training for women on how to run for student government & political office. As the Associate Director for Women's Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Assessment at Mount Saint Mary's University, in Los Angeles, Christine took the lead on organizing voter education, registration, and get out the vote efforts. When she came to Whittier College in August of 2019, one of her first goals was to begin relationship building in order to form a college-wide democratic engagement coalition. As a result, the College was recognized as a Voter Friendly Campus for 2021-2022 and saw an increase in voter registration and turnout in enrolled students. She continues this non-partisan work now in her work at a national nonprofit.
Christine will bring that energy to the Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) Board of Trustees.
Join us in the movement
You can also follow Christine on social media on both Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to volunteer or join the mailing list.
HBUhSD Board of Trustees
Huntington Beach Union High School District's Board (HBUHSD) of Trustees is a five-member board responsible for leadership and oversight of its member schools. This district covers parts of Westminster, Midway City, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, and Huntington Beach. Beginning in 2024, members of the board are elected by trustee area. To view the map, visit the HBUHSD website.
