Now Reading
Dr. Jesse M. Bernal – West Michigan 25 most influential Latinos

Dr. Jesse M. Bernal – West Michigan 25 most influential Latinos

Rate this post

Dr. Jesse M. Bernal

Vice President-Chief Strategy Officer & Chief of Staff

Grand Valley State University

As the son of migrant farm workers and the first person in his family to achieve a college degree, Dr. Jesse Bernal understands the importance of educational equity.

In his tenure at Grand Valley State University, one of his key initiatives was the development and implementation of programs focused on increasing educational access and equity for Latino students. Through this, he collaborated with local schools and community organizations to create pathways for Latino youth to pursue higher education, including hosting workshops, mentoring programs and providing resources that addressed challenges faced by Latino students.

“My efforts to advance the West Michigan Latino community have centered on educational equity and impactful community outreach, particularly through policy work that addresses systemic barriers,” Bernal said.

As the chair of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, he has been deeply involved in policy advocacy aimed at improving educational opportunities for Latino students. This includes successfully advocating for increased state funding for bilingual education programs and resources that support Latino families in navigating the educational system. 


“These policies have significantly enhanced the educational experiences and outcomes for Latino students across Michigan,” he said.

See Also

On the local level, he has worked with educational leaders and policymakers to address achievement gaps and promote culturally responsive teaching practices by organizing community forums and educational workshops that bring together educators, parents and community leaders to discuss strategies for creating more inclusive and supportive learning environments.

“Growing up as the son of migrant farm workers and Mexican immigrants, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by Latino communities,” he said.

“My grandmother, a constant source of inspiration, instilled in me the values of hard work and community service, which have guided my path. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to serve and support the Latino community. My journey has been shaped by the support of my family and mentors.”

View Comments (0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Copyright © 2014 - 2019 VIVEMICHIGAN | All rights reserved.

Scroll To Top