“Jerome brings institutional knowledge and a wealth of experience to PUENTE,” said PUENTE Learning Center Board Chair Albert Reyes. “His vision and track record are what PUENTE needs as it enters into its next stage of development, especially during this extraordinary time of the COVID-19 crisis. Jerome’s commitment to service to the community is unwavering, and he follows through with integrity. He has championed an authentic culture of excellence at PUENTE with energy and insight that has yielded great growth.”
Jerome’s appointment comes as PUENTE Learning Center celebrates its 35th year. He will build on this history of offering academic services to children, youth and adults in Boyle Heights and the Los Angeles area.
Chun Wong, PUENTE Learning Center’s Board Vice Chair, said, “The board of PUENTE is excited to appoint Jerome as the organization’s new leader. He is the ideal person to guide PUENTE through its next stages of significant growth. Jerome’s understanding of PUENTE’s legacy complements his forward-thinking ideas and passion to make PUENTE the shining star. I look forward to working with Jerome in his new official capacity.”
“I am deeply honored to serve the PUENTE community in the role of CEO,” said Jerome. “I look forward to working with the staff and our Board. Now more than ever, we are continuing to build momentum at PUENTE, and we have a collegial team that is stewarding the mission with creative and meaningful contributions. We are celebrating 35 years of building bridges to education, and we are upgrading our building for the next 35 years of service to the community.”
Through Jerome’s focus on data collection and evidence-based decision making, he has strengthened program operations and outcomes for the thousands of students who attend PUENTE every year. Jerome has made presentations to the California Council on Economic Education, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Reading is Fundamental of Southern California. He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles