CA Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez and Assembly Candidate Ernest Morrell

On November 12, Senator Dean Florez, State Senate Majority Leader and candidate for Lieutenant Governor, spent an afternoon with faculty, students and invited guests at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies to discuss education and pressing concerns in California. After a brief introduction by Dr. Ernest Morrell, Senator Florez discussed his educational experiences growing up in Shafter, Kern County. He then shared details of his educational journey from community college, to UCLA and finally Harvard Business School. As a student at UCLA, Senator Florez became involved in politics and as he spoke, compared the concerns while he was a college student to challenges facing students today.

A significant amount of time was set aside for questions for Senator Florez that ranged from topics related to education, prison and the media to passing legislation in Sacramento. Senator Florez offered candid responses and suggestions for how individuals can become involved in politics to make a difference. He elaborated on many of the intricacies of politics and reminded the group of his motto, “Hard Work Matters”.

The informal discussion was arranged by Morrell, UCLA Associate Professor, Associate Director of the Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access (IDEA), and candidate for the 37th State Assembly district. Florez and Morrell felt the forum was important to discuss serious concerns about the direction in which California is headed. They share a commitment to equitable access to education for all students, care for the environment, and improving the quality of life for Californians.