Alumni Spotlight - Dr. Julieta Altamirano-Crosby

Dr. Julieta Altamirano-Crosby is on a mission to assist Latinos in finding academic success in Washington. Born in Guerrero, Mexico, she moved here in 2009 and began taking classes at EvCC. “With the help of teachers and advisors, I was able to learn how to both read and write at a proficient level in English,” she says. After leaving EvCC, Julieta worked as a social and medical interpreter for school districts and hospitals, and was the Director of Latino Enrollment of the 74 Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Seattle. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Communication and has recently graduated with her second Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership. She is the co-founder and president of WAGRO, a non-profit organization working to break down barriers to education for Latinos. In late 2019, Altamirano-Crosby was elected to the Lynnwood City Council and will begin her new role as councilwoman in January 2020.  Her advice to current students: “Education is the key to opening all doors. Focus on your goal and never stop pursuing your dreams.”  

What is your current occupation/career?

I am the Co-Founder and President of the WAGRO Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to break down barriers to education for Latinos in Washington and Guerrero, Mexico. I founded WAGRO in 2012 to assist Latinos and Indigenous Mexican students and families in finding academic success in Washington as they navigate life in their new home. I am the CEO of Diversity Consultants,  I am a Presenter of professional learning on Cultural Competence and Family Engagement in the schools working in such topics as: Creating an ELL Students-Friendly Learning Environment;  De Boca en Boca: Communication Strategies Among Latino Parents who feel invisible; Strategies for Enhancing Equity and Engagement for Latino Families; Latino Enrollment Barriers and Strategies for Improving School Community Relations. I received my master’s in Communication Science at the Complutense University of Madrid in Spain and my Ph.D. in Social Communication from the University of Havana in Cuba.

I earned my Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership from Seattle Pacific University in 2018.  I was the director of Latino Enrollment for the 74 Catholic Schools at the Archdiocese of Seattle from 2015-2016. In this roll, I was involved in research projects about Latinos in education in Washington. I presented my research at the National Catholic Educational Association(NCEA) Convention in San Diego, California, and at the Washington Education Research Association (WERA) Conference in SeaTac in 2016. I  was a presenter at the  International Conference on the topic of Education for Excellence, Diversity, and Respect. This prestigious conference was hosted by Seattle Pacific University and the Janusz Korczak Association of the USA on August 22-25th 2018.  I am also  a member of the League of Women Voters of Snohomish County, the Advisory Board of Center for Washington Cultural Traditions and the Snohomish County Commission of Human Rights. I was recognized by SPIRIT 105.3 as an “unsung hero” and was the Snohomish County Human Rights Award recipient in 2017. Last June 2018 I was appointed by the Governor to be a Commissioner at Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

How did you choose EvCC? 

I chose EvCC because they had the best Adult Education and ESL programs. Not to mention that EvCC was close to my house which made it easier for me to get from one place to the other.

Do you think your time at EvCC helped you pursue your current career?

I do think that my time at EvCC helped me pursue my current career due to the fact that when I came into this country I was not able to speak English, but with the help of teachers and advisors I was able to learn how to both read and write at a proficient level in English. I am extremely thankful to all of the advisors and teachers who helped me along the way, because without them I would not have been able to properly communicate with others in English, not to mention that without their help I would not have been successful in my career.

What did you do after you left or graduated from EvCC?

After I left EvCC I worked as a Social and Medical Interpreter for various school districts and hospitals. My second job was as a Parent Liaison for the Mukilteo School district, my third job was as the Director of Latino Enrollment of the 74 Catholic Schools at the Archdiocese of Seattle. I have also recently graduated from my second Master Degree in Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Program Administrator Certificate at Seattle Pacific University.

Was there anyone during your time at EvCC who acted as a mentor for you?

One teacher who acted as a mentor for me was Omar Mustafa, he is one of the best teachers I have ever had the pleasure of having. He helped me throughout my studies at EvCC. Another person who acted as a mentor for me was Judy Frost, who worked for Adult Education and training at EvCC, she was always warm and open with all of the students and was ready to help anyone with anything that they needed.

What words of advice would you give to current EvCC students?

One piece of advice that I would give to current EvCC college students would be to never stop pursuing their dreams and to make sure to keep their focus on the goal that they want to achieve. Education is the key to open all doors, they should make sure to not forget that one key piece of information.