South Bend Empowerment Zone Team

The proud son of an immigrant factory worker, Isaias understands and was taught the value of a high-quality education. He knows, first-hand, that graduating from high school and earning a college degree unlocks opportunity that can change the generational course for students and their families. Isaias graduated from Michigan State University, James Madison College in 2005 with a degree in Social Relations & Policy and a specialization in Chicano/Latino Studies. Upon graduation, he completed 3 years of national service with Teach For America in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas where he taught middle and high school Social Studies.  He was bestowed the Secondary Teacher of the Year and District Teacher of the Year awards in 2007 for his role in leading the Sauceda Middle School Social Studies Department in improving their Social Studies state standardized test scores from 42% in 2005 to 94% in 2007 which removed the school from state probationary status.

Upon graduating from the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor with a Master of Social Work degree in 2009, Isaias returned to the public sector holding senior management leadership positions as Director of Programs with the Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA) in Chicago, Illinois, Director of District and School Partnerships with Teach For America in McAllen, Texas, and Neighborhood & Agency Coordination Department Director, Federal Healthy Start Program Supervisor, and Community Health Center Supervisor with the Ingham County Health Department in Lansing, Michigan. In 2014, Isaias received the Master Social Worker of the Year award from the Organization for Latino/a Social Workers (OLASW) of Michigan for demonstrating outstanding leadership in advocacy and social work practice.