Board Members - Velazquez
Noemí Velázquez is a dedicated activist, trailblazer, and educator in Jersey City. Originally from Puerto Rico, she immigrated to the United States with her parents as a child. Growing up in a family committed to public service set a strong foundation for her commitment to community involvement. As a high school student, Noemí became actively engaged in the youth civil rights movement at her school and in her community.
After graduating from Buffalo Public Schools, she received a scholarship to attend SUNY at Buffalo and an exchange student scholarship to the University of Puerto Rico and the Cultural Institute. Throughout her academic journey, she advocated against the social inequalities of her time, working diligently to raise awareness and drive change in her local community. Upon earning her undergraduate degree with Teacher Certification (K-12), Noemí was determined to deepen her impact, so she enrolled in graduate school to pursue a Master’s degree in Elementary and Bilingual Education. This advanced training enabled her to better support children and parents with limited English language skills, positioning her as a pioneer in the bilingual education movement.
After five years of teaching in the Buffalo Public Schools, Noemí relocated to Jersey City with her toddler daughter to accompany her husband, who had established a successful law firm. Upon arriving in Jersey City, she quickly became a well-respected figure in the local and statewide community. While advocating for children, education, and women’s issues, Noemí returned to school to earn her administrative credentials, obtaining a Master’s in Administration and Supervision and a scholarship to the Ed.D. program at Seton Hall University. This led to her gaining upward mobility within the Jersey City School System.
Following her retirement in 2017, Noemí returned to public service as an aide to Governor Phil Murphy. In 2019, she was elected to the Jersey City School Board of Trustees and is currently serving her second term as Board President, having also held the position of Vice-President. Throughout her career, Noemí has participated in various professional organizations, community groups, and political initiatives. She is a co-founding member of Latina Civic of New Jersey and currently chairs the Endorsement Committee for their PAC. Additionally, she is the co-founder and President of Latinas United for Political Empowerment (LUPE) and the New Jersey Hispanic Research and Information Center (HRIC).
Noemí has earned a wide array of certifications in education and has received numerous scholarships and awards throughout her career. One of her most significant honors is the establishment of the Noemí Velázquez Scholarship by ASPIRA, Inc. of New Jersey, which is awarded annually to a young Latina entering college who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and community involvement. In 2022, she was also named the Grand Marshal of the Jersey City Puerto Rican Parade.
While Noemí has devoted herself to her community and the education of Jersey City’s children, her most significant role in life remains that of a dedicated mother!
After graduating from Buffalo Public Schools, she received a scholarship to attend SUNY at Buffalo and an exchange student scholarship to the University of Puerto Rico and the Cultural Institute. Throughout her academic journey, she advocated against the social inequalities of her time, working diligently to raise awareness and drive change in her local community. Upon earning her undergraduate degree with Teacher Certification (K-12), Noemí was determined to deepen her impact, so she enrolled in graduate school to pursue a Master’s degree in Elementary and Bilingual Education. This advanced training enabled her to better support children and parents with limited English language skills, positioning her as a pioneer in the bilingual education movement.
After five years of teaching in the Buffalo Public Schools, Noemí relocated to Jersey City with her toddler daughter to accompany her husband, who had established a successful law firm. Upon arriving in Jersey City, she quickly became a well-respected figure in the local and statewide community. While advocating for children, education, and women’s issues, Noemí returned to school to earn her administrative credentials, obtaining a Master’s in Administration and Supervision and a scholarship to the Ed.D. program at Seton Hall University. This led to her gaining upward mobility within the Jersey City School System.
Following her retirement in 2017, Noemí returned to public service as an aide to Governor Phil Murphy. In 2019, she was elected to the Jersey City School Board of Trustees and is currently serving her second term as Board President, having also held the position of Vice-President. Throughout her career, Noemí has participated in various professional organizations, community groups, and political initiatives. She is a co-founding member of Latina Civic of New Jersey and currently chairs the Endorsement Committee for their PAC. Additionally, she is the co-founder and President of Latinas United for Political Empowerment (LUPE) and the New Jersey Hispanic Research and Information Center (HRIC).
Noemí has earned a wide array of certifications in education and has received numerous scholarships and awards throughout her career. One of her most significant honors is the establishment of the Noemí Velázquez Scholarship by ASPIRA, Inc. of New Jersey, which is awarded annually to a young Latina entering college who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and community involvement. In 2022, she was also named the Grand Marshal of the Jersey City Puerto Rican Parade.
While Noemí has devoted herself to her community and the education of Jersey City’s children, her most significant role in life remains that of a dedicated mother!