Bea Gonzalez: Views on the Community and Education

Dean Perceptions from Newhouse School J-Camp on Vimeo.

By Tina Thach

“Don’t let anybody limit you and what you can accomplish.”

That is Bea Gonzalez’s life philosophy. And she is living proof that it works.

Gonzalez is the dean of University College. She is the executive director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program and the S.U. Continuing Education program. She’s president of the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corp., a local foundation that supports civic projects.

Oh, and she’s also the president of the Syracuse Common Council, Syracuse’s legislative body.

“I’m inspired to provide service to my community,” said Gonzalez, “because I learned that from my parents.”

Her parents came to the United States during the 1950’s as migrant workers. She became part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” of anti-poverty programs in the 1960’s. She describes herself as a “Head Start kid.” Head Start was created in 1965 to help low-income children get ready for kindergarten. As a child, she was also part of the Upward Bound program, which helps low-income students perform better in school.

She used the opportunities – such as Upward Bound and Head Start – to further her education.

Gonzalez graduated from SUNY Binghamton, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science. She also has a master's in public administration from S.U.’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

“Because I was awarded the benefits of all of those programs and opportunities that came with that access,” Gonzalez explained, “I feel that the least that I could do is pay back by the service that I provide.”

In politics, Gonzalez’s public service includes being a founding member of the Onondaga Latino Caucus, created in 2001. It is an organization that advocates on behalf of the Latino community in politics. She was also a member of New York’s Electoral College for the 2004 presidential election.

In 2008, she considered running for mayor of Syracuse. But she dropped out to take care of her sick mother. Also, says Gonzalez, she was uncomfortable with so much fundraising.

As Gonzalez said, “Politics is a dirty business.”

She is a founding member of the Association of Neighbors Concerned for Latino Involvement. The group was founded to encourage the Latino community to engage in politics.

Gonzalez is also a member of the Onondaga Citizens League, which promotes public understanding and discussion of community concerns.

She also pays her dues of public service by lecturing about community subjects like city education. She helps students by giving them guidance on how to register for classes at University College. Gonzalez was also the Commissioner of Education for the Syracuse City School District from 1991 to 1993.

Gonzalez is keen on the relevance of subjects taught in school. If students don’t understand the relevance, Gonzalez said, why would they want to learn about it?

“Education,” she said, “is the great equalizer in society.”

Education allows people to transcend and eliminate limitations, Gonzalez said. The students at University College are usually part-time students or students who are pursuing a non-degree study, she said. That sparks her enthusiasm for education and no limitations.

“Anyone that’s turned on by learning,” Gonzalez said with relish, “I think that’s the best.”

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