For Carlos Rivas ’12, Claremont McKenna provided the perfect launching pad for his lifelong career in education and public service. After graduating with a degree in Government and Spanish, the Chicago native earned a Fulbright and taught English in Argentina. Upon returning to Chicago, Carlos joined Teach for America and taught Spanish at UIC College Prep. He went on to earn master’s degrees in teaching and educational leadership and recently ran and won a seat on the Chicago Board of Education. He said his mentors at CMC taught him that “every person at an educational institution plays an important part in the success of students.” Today, his goal is to help students find their passion and love for learning, just as he was given similar support and direction at CMC.
How did your time at CMC prepare you for post-graduation?
A liberal arts education is about developing your critical thinking skills. My experience at CMC taught me how to defend a position and how to accept new information to shape my opinion. While at CMC, I knew I wanted a career in service to others. At the time, I believed that was through teaching, including becoming a Teach for America corps member and serving as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Argentina through Fulbright. As I grew in my career, it became clear that I could lead systems-level change.
Today, I am an elected official representing hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans on the City of Chicago Board of Education and am Director of Public Affairs for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. We are an oversight body that investigates police misconduct in the Chicago Police Department.
Who are your mentors from your time at CMC?
My mentor at CMC was Sandra Aguirre. I tell everyone I have a bachelor’s degree because of Sandra. She was the receptionist at what was then called Career Services. She hired me my freshman year to be a work-study intern and treated me like a son while I was in college. She pushed me out of my comfort zone and always encouraged me to think big. My junior year she encouraged me to take an internship in New York City with Teach for America. After college, we stayed in touch regularly even after she left CMC. Every person at an educational institution plays an important part in the success of students. Sandra provided the support I needed to persist and graduate. I now seek to emulate that support and care in the counseling I provided my students through college.
Another mentor is Politics Professor Heather Williams of Pomona College. Her courses on Latino politics really inspired me and I would consult with her when I began my teaching career integrating Latin American history and politics into my courses. We stay in touch to this day, and she was one of the first donors to my electoral campaign!
How would you describe the CMC community?
CMC is full of opportunities for all students. My time at CMC allowed me to develop my leadership and explore opportunities beyond campus. I explored my interest in politics through CMC’s Washington Program, I fell in love with Latin America through study abroad, and connected with my roots because of all the opportunities CMC afforded me.
CMC’s mission is to prepare students for thoughtful and productive lives and responsible leadership in business, government, and the professions. How does that resonate with you?
Responsible leadership resonates with me now more than ever as an elected official. I serve the Chicago Public Schools, the fourth largest school district in the nation with a nearly $10 billion yearly budget. As a leader, I need to be a good steward of public resources and ensure I have the best interest of not only Chicago taxpayers but the 325,000 students in our 600-plus schools.
What were some of your favorite experiences while at CMC?
Afternoon tea at the Ath was a valuable opportunity to connect with classmates, college personnel, and professors. Late night Snack at Collins was especially helpful before a long night in the lab working on my thesis.
Why is it important for you to be involved at CMC and /or give back?
I gained so much from my CMC experience and I want others to have that opportunity. I enjoy being involved in the Chicago Alumni Chapter, meeting current students, and making connections with other CMCers who are doing great things in Chicago, across the country, and across the globe.