Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Mr. Mat Nevarez is proud to have come from the public education system and is a first-generation college graduate, achieving both his Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Public Policy. Mr. Navarez has worked with homeless and at-risk youth, students of all ages- Elementary to College, and individuals with disabilities; helping them achieve goals in Education, Workforce Development, & Independent Living skills programs.

For fun, he participated and played in band ensembles, and dance classes at ASU, played Rugby for an All-inclusive team, was an Event Planner and a self-taught home cook. Mr. Navarez is a "Change Agent" often called to serve & assist with transitioning, restructuring, recruitment, retention, and leadership development initiatives.

Mr. Navarez is currently serving as an Ombudsman for the State of Arizona in the Rehabilitation Services Administration. A Child Monitor with Community Solutions inc. over the weekend and a current fellow for the Leading For Change- organization. He is committed to uplifting underserved communities as part of his lifelong work and believes "Our students are hungry for the opportunity to thrive in a society that was created before them. It is our obligation, our duty, and ultimately our purpose to feed them the appropriate recipes, blended for success."

To contact an Alhambra Schools Governing Board member, please reach out to the Superintendent's office at 602-336-2920

Mr. Lupe Conchas proudly serves as Vice President of the Alhambra Elementary School District Governing Board. A first-generation high school and college graduate, Mr. Conchas is a proud product of Arizona’s public school system. His lived experiences reflect those of many students in the district, and he is deeply committed to advocating for their basic needs and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive—both inside and outside the classroom. He now serves as a Glendale City Councilmember in the Cactus District. 

Mr. Conchas currently works for a nonprofit organization focused on global health and anti-poverty initiatives, he previously served as the elections filing officer for all 58 school board elections in Maricopa County under the Office of the County Superintendent of Schools. Later, at Phoenix College, he served as the Service Learning and Food Pantry Coordinator, connecting food-insecure students with vital campus and community resources.

Mr. Conchas has completed extensive professional development through the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO), including training in emergency preparedness and newly elected official development. 

As a board member, Mr. Conchas is dedicated to fiscal responsibility, investing in school infrastructure, supporting staff, and ensuring student achievement in reading, math, writing, science, history, and the arts. He also believes in being accessible and responsive to parent and community feedback.

Mr. Conchas is honored to serve the families and students of the Alhambra Elementary School District and remains steadfast in his mission to promote excellence, learning, and opportunity for all.

To contact an Alhambra Schools Governing Board member, please reach out to the Superintendent's office at 602-336-2920

Mr. Christian Solorio, was appointed to the Governing Board in 2019. He is a product of the Alhambra Elementary School District and a graduate of Arizona State University. As a registered architect in the State of Arizona, he is an emerging professional and recent recipient of the Robert Saemisch Prize from the Rio Salado Architecture Foundation.

Mr. Solorio specializes in affordable housing and non-profit health and works with several non-profits like Catholic Charities, Foundation for Senior Living and Trellis Community Development to name a few. He is a member of the Alhambra Village Planning Committee, the Arizona Institute of Architects, United States Green Building Council and the Phoenix chapter of the Young Non-Profit Professionals Network. He has also served as a mentor for high school students in the Be A Leader Foundation for over ten years.

To contact an Alhambra Schools Governing Board member, please reach out to the Superintendent's office at 602-336-2920

Garthanne de Ocampo was appointed to the Governing Board in 2017. Ms. De Ocampo had a fifty-year career as a public school educator. She served as a teacher, principal, and district-level administrator. She was instrumental in establishing all-day kindergartens, inclusionary pre-school programs, and the program to serve students with autism in the Phoenix Elementary District. She was also a member of the Arizona Department of Education team that wrote the initial Early Childhood Learning Standards. Additionally, she helped develop the assessment for the Early Childhood Certification. She is proud of being in the second group of teachers in Arizona to become National Board Certified.

Mrs. De Ocampo has also served on the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board, the Saint Francis Xavier School Board and Parish Council, and the Arizona Education Association Board of Directors. Currently, she is a docent at the Desert Botanical Gardens, a Navigator at the Sky Harbor Airport, a member of the Phoenix Children’s Chorus Board of Directors, and a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in foster care. Mrs. De Ocampo and her husband have lived in the Simpson Neighborhood since 1977. 

 To contact an Alhambra Schools Governing Board member, please reach out to the Superintendent's office at 602-336-2920

Ms. Rocio Santana assumed office on January 1, 2025. Santana's current term ends on January 1, 2029.

To contact an Alhambra Schools Governing Board member, please reach out to the Superintendent's office at 602-336-2920