2005 Latino Heritage Local Heroes:
Carlota del Portillo
Carlota del Portillo is the Dean of the Mission Campus of City College of San
Francisco. She has been involved in education of Latinos for over 35 years and
32 of those years with City College of San Francisco. As Dean of the Mission
Campus, she has worked with other Latinos to improve post secondary education
access for Latinos. A major accomplishment towards this end is the breaking ground
for a permanent home for the Mission Campus of City College, scheduled for September
6, 2005 at 106 Bartlett Street in San Francisco. Dean del Portillo has been actively
working in the Latino community since 1970, with her main emphasis being to facilitate
access to education and the job market.
Dr. del Portillo has exercised major leadership roles in San Francisco City government, having been elected to two terms on the San Francisco Board of Education, serving as President and Vice President. She was appointed by Mayor Feinstein to the Civil Service Commission, serving for ten years. Del Portillo was appointed to the Fire Commission by Mayor Brown and to the Human Rights Commission for terms by Mayors Moscone and Newsom. She advocated for inclusion of women in the Fire Department during her tenure on the Civil Services Commission and had the pleasure of welcoming Joann Hayes White, the first female Fire Chief.
Dr. del Portillo is a member of the Mission Hiring Hall Board of Directors, and the Golden Gate National Park Conservancy and it's Education Committee. In collaboration with the community organizations, she has developed vocational training programs that enhance access to the local labor market.
Dean del Portillo believes deeply that with equitable access to education Latinos will be able to take the first step towards full participation in the work force and take advantage of the opportunities offered in America. She champions efforts to ensure that children and adults are well-educated to make their contributions to the American institutions of the future.
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