Argelia García

Argelia García is a Los Angeles based leader with more than two decades of experience advancing educational equity, community engagement, economic opportunity, and organizational sustainability across the region. Raised in Boyle Heights and educated in LAUSD schools, she brings both lived experience and professional expertise to her work supporting students and families in historically under-resourced communities.

Argelia believes students thrive when surrounded by strong relationships, resources, and opportunities. She is guided by a whole-child, community-centered approach that supports students’ academic, social, and emotional needs- building a lasting foundation that propels young people to succeed and, in turn, uplift others in their communities.

Throughout her career, Argelia has focused on expanding opportunities for youth and families to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. She has held senior leadership and development roles within community-based organizations, partnering closely with executive teams and Boards of Directors to strengthen fundraising efforts and guide strategic planning that supports long-term sustainability.

Earlier in her career, Argelia served as Deputy Director of an alternative education organization overseeing continuation high schools in Watts, Lynwood, and Compton. In this role, she supported multidisciplinary teams delivering academic and wraparound services to disengaged youth. These experiences reinforced her belief that integrated support is essential to keeping students engaged while preparing them for postsecondary success. She values CISLA’s deep partnerships with schools and communities and its commitment to ensuring that students are not only supported through graduation, but are also equipped for success in college, career, and life.

Argelia earned her degree in Chicana/o Studies from UCLA, with an emphasis on urban planning, education, and intersectionality. She remains deeply committed to strengthening systems that expand equitable opportunities, promote economic mobility, and create pathways for communities to be healthy and thriving.

She lives in the El Sereno neighborhood of Los Angeles with her husband and their three children and finds joy in film, music, art, gardening, cooking, and nature. Argelia is a proud supporter of her local NPR and PBS stations.