Dr. Alfonso Alvarez was born and raised in the City of Santa Ana. He attended Fremont Elementary School, Spurgeon Intermediate and graduated from Santa Ana High School. Dr. Alvarez received an honorable discharge from the California Army National Guard.

Dr. Alvarez has twenty-two years of experience as a child advocate, both as a counselor for abused children and as a social worker. In addition, Dr. Alvarez has approximately twenty-five years of volunteer experience in the City of Santa Ana, specifically in gang prevention and intervention. He has also mentored high school and college students.

Dr. Alvarez’s community service extends into the non-profit sector. Dr. Alvarez has served on the Board of Directors of Veterans First, the Foundation for Survivors of Human Trafficking, SER Jobs for Progress, Inc., and the American GI Forum, a Congressionally chartered veterans organization.  All of these organizations are based in the City of Santa Ana.

Dr. Alvarez was the first in his family to attend college and receive both a Bachelor’s Degree and a graduate degree. Dr. Alvarez attended Chapman University and majored in Sociology. He earned his Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and a graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from Chapman University. Dr. Alvarez went on to earn his Educational Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University.

Dr. Alvarez is proud to have received a Presidential Appointment to the Federal Selective Service Board in 2014. Dr. Alvarez’s brings his experience as a community advocate, his experience in the non-profit sector, and his professional background to the Santa Ana Unified School Board. As a Governing Board Member, Dr. Alvarez will advocate for all Santa Ana children because he believes that all children can succeed, given the appropriate resources and support.