Coordinator of Student Services

Ventura County Office of Education

United States:  California | North America

Jessie Juarez, eldest of three siblings, was born and raised in Oxnard, California. A proud father of three, Jessie considers his children his greatest motivation in life.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Chicano Studies from California State University Channel Islands and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, specializing in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Antioch University. As the first in his family to attend and graduate college, Jessie credits his parents’ encouragement and determination for breaking the cycle of poverty and hardship. His family history is rooted in resilience, as his grandparents on both sides migrated to the United States through the Bracero Program and established themselves in the La Colonia neighborhood of Oxnard.

Currently, Jessie serves as a Student Services Coordinator with the Ventura County Office of Education, where he works with alternative education students and leads initiatives aligned with the Community Schools model. His role focuses on building partnerships, supporting at-promise and justice-involved youth, and fostering opportunities for families to thrive. Jessie’s personal experiences growing up amid challenges of substance abuse, trauma, and incarceration within his extended family have fueled his empathy and determination to create positive pathways for others.

Through his professional role and community involvement, Jessie continues to honor his roots while giving back to the next generation. His story reflects the power of perseverance, the importance of family, and the belief that education and support can transform lives.