A graduate of Santa Monica College, Margaret received her Bachelor’s degree in Mental Health and Research Methods at California State University, Dominguez Hills, a Masters in Counseling Psychology at the University of Southern California and Doctorate in Education Leadership from UCLA. Margaret is a Fellow of the JFK Harvard School of Government.
Her professional background as Counselor at El Camino College makes her a passionate advocate for all students. Margaret was a counselor with broad experience counseling students for over 32 years in community colleges. She was instrumental in the establishment of 14 high school college partnerships benefiting hundreds of high school students in the area. Margaret has also been a counselor for military veterans assisting them on return from active duty. In addition, Margaret was a former Coordinator/Counselor for the Puente Program over 10 years.
Dr. Margaret Quinones-Perez has been a Trustee of Santa Monica College since 2000. She has been instrumental in building partnerships with many public agencies and the business community since 2008 across the district. Margaret forged partnerships with Malibu by establishing the Emeritus Program at the Malibu Satellite campus and advocating for numerous bond passages in Santa Monica/Malibu. Margaret is a member of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the City of Malibu and continues to find ways to better serve children and adults in the Santa Monica and Malibu communities. Dr. Quinones-Perez is the Treasurer of the California Association of Latino Community College Trustees and Administrators (CALCCTA), the Board Liaison to SMMUSD PTA Executive Council, and a former school board member of the Santa Monica/Malibu School District for 8 years.
Most notably, Dr. Quinones-Perez served with distinction as a member of the Board of Governors. Appointed by the Governor, she interacted with state, federal and local officials. She participated in selecting a Chancellor for the State’s Community Colleges. The Chancellor through a formal process of consultation brings recommendations to the Board that has legislatively granted authority to develop and implement policy for 72 districts and 113 community colleges.
She was member of the Association of Community College Trustees Finance and Audit Committee, Board of Directors for the National Hispana Leadership Institute and is an Associate Member of the Association of Community College Trustees. She is a former President and Executive Board Member and Conference Co-Chair of the California School Boards Association of Latino School Board Members, former faculty representative for El Camino College’s Academic Senate and Budget and Planning Committee and Vice President of El Camino College Faculty Association.
Dr. Quinones-Perez believes strongly in developing and maintaining positive working conditions with SMC union representation and collaboration for the greatest good of SMC. She maintains student success and fiscal responsibly. Her entrustment of the college is vital to her.
Margaret is married to Dr. Monte E. Perez with two grown children and two grandsons.