Meet Miguel Arias
Parent. Education Leader. Community Builder.
Miguel Arias is a parent of Fresno Unified students and a candidate for Fresno Unified School District Trustee, Area 1.
Miguel grew up working as a farmworker on Fresno County’s west side to help pay for college. He later served Central Valley families as a congressional legislative aide for Congressman Cal Dooley before returning home to work in education and public service.
Education Leader
Miguel served as Chief Information Officer and in other senior leadership roles at Fresno Unified, and later as an elected State Center Community College District Trustee. He has also served as an administrator for our local Community College District.
As a college trustee, Miguel worked to expand access to nursing, public-safety, and career-technical education and supported major investments in new and improved college facilities. His education leadership has earned honors, including an Educator of the Year award, California School Boards Association Golden Bell Award, and the Muro de Honor by State Center Community College District.
Community Leader
Since joining the Fresno City Council in 2018, Miguel has focused on reinvesting BIllions to restore and rebuild existing neighborhoods. His City Council work has included funding for new community health centers, parks, housing, streets, and other neighborhood infrastructure in Downtown, the Tower District, and West Fresno neighborhoods.
Miguel’s work to improve our city has earned him the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee's Community Leadership Award.
Fresno Unified Parent
Miguel and his family live in the Tower District neighborhood and have lived in Fresno Unified Area 1 for more than 20 years. His children proudly attend and have graduated from Fresno Unified Schools.
Now He Wants to Bring That Experience Back to Fresno Unified.
As a Fresno Unified parent, education leader, and City Councilmember, Miguel understands our schools from the classroom to the boardroom—and our neighborhoods firsthand.
His focus will be: stronger neighborhood schools, responsible spending, safe classrooms, and more opportunities for every student.