In her time as a California Student Aid Commissioner and Youth Advocate, Juanita has gained the perspective on educational systems, policies, and budgets necessary to fight for the students in our schools. As part of her mission as a commissioner, she has become a trainer for Cash for College events and she has hosted several college fair events because college readiness and affordability is essential.

An alumnus of the University of Washington, Juanita has long been a public servant to the community where she lives, as well as served our nation in the U.S. Army as a Finance Specialist and Family Readiness Group Liason. Through four years of active duty and four years of reserve service Juanita has been stationed both domestically in California and abroad in Wuerzburg, Germany. She serves as a commissioner on the City of Long Beach Veterans Affairs Commission.

In her local community, Juanita founded the Collins Neighborhood Association and innovatively implemented community beautification programs, a neighborhood crime watch network, and a food assistance program. She has worked with the Paramount Unified School District and its families as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and Council Delegate for the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles where she helps mentor girl and adult leaders. Juanita has also organized and executed Food Distributions and Tree Planting initiatives.