SCCCD Trustee advocates for higher education while continuing her own
Isabel Berreras with her children at her graduation in April
When Isabel Barreras received her master’s degree in public administration from National University in April, it was part of a natural progression for someone who has dedicated herself to pursuing and promoting higher education. For Barreras, a member of the SCCCD Board of Trustees, overcoming obstacles and helping others has become a habit.
Barreras immigrated to the United States from Mexico with her family at the age of seven. The fear of attending a new school in the middle of the year—a troubling prospect for any second grader—was only compounded by her inability to speak English. “I remember telling my parents, I don’t want to go back to school because I don’t know how to communicate with others in English,” she said.
“I always talk to my children, as well as my nieces and nephews, about staying in school and being good citizens,” Barreras said.
Although her parents didn’t speak English and couldn’t help any of their 12 children with homework, they did recognize the importance of education. “One thing my parents always did was encourage us to stay in school so we would have better opportunities in life,” Barreras said. It was a message she took to heart, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from CSU, Fresno. And it’s a message she passes on. “I always talk to my children, as well as my nieces and nephews, about staying in school and being good citizens,” she said.
For Barreras, her passion for education led to her position as an outreach consultant for Madera Unified School District, where she has worked for 21 years. She works with students at Madera South High School who are at risk of failing or dropping out. From setting up study teams with teachers to working with outside agencies to personally visiting students’ homes, Barreras makes it her mission to promote academic success. “I feel so privileged to be able to work with these students,” she said. “I am able to relate to them because I come from the same neighborhoods they live in and from a similar cultural background.”
As an SCCCD board trustee, Barreras focuses on ensuring the high school students she supports continue to succeed at the community college level. “I was a community college student,” she said. “Speaking from experience, I believe it’s critical to provide the best educational opportunities to low-income students and to re-train our workforce.” She advocates for increased student access, successful vocational programs and increased transfers to four-year universities.
With her master’s degree, Barreras will pursue a new career in human resources. But she isn’t done yet; she’s already got her eye on a doctorate.
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