PIQE Announces 35th Anniversary and Organizational Realignment

San Diego, CA – Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) marks its 35th anniversary celebration with year-long events and the announcement of an organizational realignment and key leadership changes to respond to its growing delivery of programs and supports for families.

In 1987, PIQE founders put passion to practice and ignited PIQE’s commitment to social justice and educational equity. Today, the mission continues to grow with staff serving hundreds of school districts throughout PIQE’s seven California regional offices; collaboration on innovative regional, state and national initiatives; and enhancement of national partnerships with education leaders and school districts now spanning 13 states.

PIQE is dedicated to executing its three-year strategic plan and ensuring it is poised to grow its services and continue support to families with the knowledge and tools to take an active role in their student’s education. The pandemic underscored the importance of family-school-community partnerships in supporting student achievement. PIQE is streamlining organizational functions and adding capacity to support regional and national engagement efforts to continue bridging home and school.

“As we look to the future, we will continue to build upon the incredible foundation and legacy of the past 35 years,” said Gloria Corral, PIQE President and CEO. “As we write the next chapter of our history, we are taking steps to ensure our organizational structure enables us to respond to our growth and strategic plan, to work efficiently and add supports while strengthening the fidelity of our programs and brand.”

Unifying its California and national functions, Elizabeth Zamudio, in the new role as Vice President of Program and Impact, will create efficiency and respond to the shifting needs of families and schools. PIQE’s external relations team will be similarly unified under Patricia E Chavez, who will take the role of Vice President of External Relations leading a department focused on advocacy and influence, communications and fund development supporting regional, state and national initiatives. These two moves strengthen PIQE visibility nationally and throughout California.

After an accomplished 27-year career at PIQE, Norma Garcia, Vice President of Operations, is retiring at the end of March 2022. As a lifelong champion of families, Garcia played a significant role in transforming PIQE throughout her career. She will support the leadership transition and the onboarding of the Vice President of Finance and Administration, a new role to streamline operational functions.

“Norma exemplifies the spirit and mission of PIQE. Under her leadership, PIQE expanded its delivery of services in multiple California regions and across the country,” said Corral. “I am honored to have worked with her and witnessed her dedication and contributions to social justice. We will honor her legacy by building upon the many accomplishments achieved during her tenure. We support her decision and wish her the very best as she embarks on a new chapter of her life.” 

At the onset of the pandemic, PIQE pivoted swiftly from in-person to online classes ensuring families were connected to vital services while enhancing its curriculum by adding digital literacy skills and social-emotional learning components.  Despite economic hardships, lack of digital know-how, fear and heartbreak, 18,000 families from nearly 300 California schools joined PIQE during the 2020-2021 school year virtually to help their children succeed in school.

“We’re proud of our history and honored by all who have given their time, talent and treasures to ensure we meet the needs of our families and schools so our children can thrive no matter the circumstances,” said Corral. “This is certainly a reason to celebrate, and we look forward to a year of activities that commemorate our 35 years of empowering families.”

PIQE will host celebratory events both in-person and virtual throughout the year. Dates and details for events will be shared at www.PIQE.org and through social platforms @PIQEUSA.

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