University of the District of Columbia (UDC) President Allen L. Sessoms announced on Friday, the the confirmation of two new members to the school's 15-member Board of Trustees.
Gabriella D. Lemus, Ph.D. and Alejandra Y. Castillo, J.D., who were nominated earlier this year by Mayor Vincent C. Gray, were confirmed on Tuesday, Dec. 4 by the D.C. Council -- which provides oversight and direction to the District's only public university. A swearing-in ceremony will be announced later.
"I am delighted at the quality of these individuals, and I'm excited about what they will bring to our already well-engaged board," said Sessoms. "I want to thank Mayor Gray and the Council for continuing to populate our board with the finest leaders available to us in the District."
Lemus is the senior advisor to the secretary and director of the Office of Public Engagement at the Department of Labor. Prior to this position, she was the first woman to be appointed executive director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and the first woman to chair the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda. Under both the Clinton and Bush administrations, Lemus lectured extensively in Latin America on democracy and civil society participation. She was adjunct professor of international relations and border policy at the University of Memphis, San Diego State University and the University of San Diego.
Castillo is an attorney who currently serves as the national deputy director of the Minority Business Development Agency for the U.S. Department of Commerce. She is the key official responsible for executing her agency's national business development strategy through public-private partnerships. Castillo has a long and successful federal resume, including special advisor to the undersecretary for Policy and Outreach in DOC's International Trade Administration and senior policy advisor to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Castillo has also served as executive director of the Hispanic National Bar Association.
