Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

3 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

7 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

7 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

8 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

8 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

8 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

8 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

8 hours ago
2 Valley Latinas Named by Newsom to State's Higher Ed Boards
NANCY WEBSITE HEADSHOT 1
By Nancy Price, Multimedia Journalist
Published 4 years ago on
August 24, 2021

Share

The co-founder of Bitwise Industries and a longtime Youth Leadership Institute official have been appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to two of the state’s higher education governing boards.

Newsom’s appointments also include a former NASA astronaut, Jose M. Hernandez of Stockton, to the University of California board that includes UC Merced.

The appointments, which were announced Friday, signal Newsom’s support for San Joaquin Valley representation in education leadership roles.

Appointments for Olguin Jr., Rodriguez

Irma L. Olguin Jr., 40, of Caruthers, is one of five people appointed to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, which oversees the state’s community colleges, including State Center Community College District.

Olguin has been co-founder and chief executive officer at Bitwise Industries since 2013 and co-founder of Hashtag Fresno since 2011. She is a Fresno State President’s Advisory Board member.

Yammilette Rodriguez, 45, of Fresno is one of four people appointed to the California State University Board of Governors, which oversees the CSU universities that include Fresno State.

Rodriguez has been a national trainer and consultant for the Youth Leadership Institute since 2020. She was the institute’s Central Valley senior director from 2009 to 2020 and Central Valley regional director at the Latino Issues Forum from 2008 to 2009.

Hernandez, 58, of Manteca, has been president and chief executive officer at Tierra Luna Engineering LLC since 2012.

Newsom: California ‘Doubling Down’ on College Accessibility

Newsom made a total of 10 appointments to the three boards.

“These leaders bring a wide array of knowledge and experience from across the state’s diverse regions, including the Central Valley, to our world-class colleges and universities, and share a deep commitment to serving our state,” he said in a news release.

“California is doubling down on our work to make college more affordable and accessible than ever before, spurring upward mobility and boosting our nation-leading recovery. I look forward to working with our state’s higher education leaders to help students reach their full potential and drive California’s long-term economic prosperity.”

The positions pay $100 per diem and require Senate confirmation.

You can read the bios of all the appointees at this link.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

DON'T MISS

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

UP NEXT

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

UP NEXT

Fresno Unified’s Embattled Nikki Henry Exits. ‘I Own My Mistake. I Won’t Let It Own Me.’

UP NEXT

O’Brien Launches Fresno County Schools Chief Campaign by Handing Out ‘Homework’

UP NEXT

Suspect Identified in Ambush Shooting That Killed 2 Idaho Firefighters

UP NEXT

Suspect Identified in Ambush Shooting That Killed 2 Idaho Firefighters

UP NEXT

Trump’s Administration Finds Harvard Violated Students’ Civil Rights, WSJ Reports

UP NEXT

University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration

UP NEXT

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

UP NEXT

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

Nancy Price,
Multimedia Journalist
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

56 minutes ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

59 minutes ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

1 hour ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

2 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

2 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

2 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

3 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

3 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

3 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

4 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday struggled to pass President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut...

11 minutes ago

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press, as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 2, 2025. (Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)
11 minutes ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County has rapidly expanded to 8,396 acres with no containment, prompting evacuation orders and warnings near New Cuyama. (CalFire)
17 minutes ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

Andrew Biscay, 40, was arrested Friday, June 20, 2025, after deputies found him with a fake U.S. Marshal’s badge, homemade firearm, and law enforcement-style gear during a warrant arrest. (Madera County SO)
25 minutes ago

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
56 minutes ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
59 minutes ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

1 hour ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
2 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend