John Marquez’s 55+ Years of Building a Stronger 4CD

Since his first classes at Contra Costa College in the late 1960s, John has made a deep impact on 4CD — whether as a student, instructor, activist, or board member.

Yet his road to college was a circuitous one. The son of a New Mexico migrant worker, John spent his early childhood in an adobe home before moving to Bishop, California, with his family. By the time he enrolled in college, John had already served in the military, spent six years working in industry, and started a family.

“As a Latino man, I found very few people who looked like me,” says John. “The administration sought ways to attract more Latinx students, and I started visiting local high schools to encourage young people to come get an education at CCC.”

Along with his studies, he was getting a crash course in politics and activism. “In the early 1970s, we started developing 4CD’s first classes in what we called Chicano Studies,” says John. After earning his undergraduate degree, he started teaching those classes — and launched a career that took him into community organizing, Richmond City Hall, and state government before he joined the 4CD board.

Never sitting still, John hopes to see additional college readiness programs that build more bridges between underserved communities and college. “I’ve seen all the changes we’ve gone through, and I’m just as excited about the changes ahead,” he says.

55+ Years of Building a Stronger 4CD

John Marquez’s journey from student to instructor, activist, and board member.

John’s road to 4CD was a circuitous one. He spent his early childhood as the son of a New Mexico migrant worker, growing up in an adobe house and studying by a kerosene lamp. Later, a mining job for his father brought the family to Bishop, California.

John enlisted in the military after high school, attending jump school to become a paratrooper and later becoming a military police officer in Germany. After returning to Bishop, he spent six years working in mills. When he landed a job with Standard Oil, he moved with his young family to the Bay Area.

As a veteran, John was eligible for the G.I. Bill. His cousin Frank took night classes at Contra Costa College and urged John to join him. That was the spark that started his journey with 4CD — one that has continued for more than 55 years. “I’m glad I listened to my cousin because, thanks to him, my life changed completely,” says John.

“Helping CCC recruit more students who looked like me.”

Starting with classes in instrumentation, John soon switched to general education classes that would prepare him to eventually transfer.

“As a Latino man, I found very few people who looked like me,” says John. “The administration sought ways to attract more Latinx students, and I started visiting local high schools to encourage young people to come get an education at CCC.”

He sees being a nontraditional student as a plus. “Since I was older than most students and a veteran, I’d already held leadership positions,” he explains. “That inner sense of security meant I didn’t have to think about myself and could focus on others.” Today, CCC has the highest percentage of Latino students of all the 4CD colleges – testimony to the work of John and his peers.

Along with his studies, he was getting a crash course in politics and activism. “In the early 1970s, we started developing 4CD’s first classes in what we called Chicano Studies,” says John. That included courses in the psychology and politics of Mexican Americans, the genesis for today’s La Raza Studies.

After transferring and graduating from San Francisco State, John returned to 4CD, this time as an instructor for Español para Chicanos – a class for Latinx students with limited proficiency in Spanish. Starting with a provisional credential, John took graduate classes to earn a California Community College Teaching qualification and remained a part-time instructor for more than 25 years — “keeping my fingers on the pulse,” as he says.

Combining academic life with public service

John’s activism continued in his work with community groups, including the United Council of Spanish-Speaking Organizations. “I came across smart leaders who helped me understand the politics and needs of the community,” he says. “Often, they didn’t speak English at the level they needed to, and I knew I was in a position to amplify their voices.”

Continuing to pave the way for others, John became the first Latinx professional to work in Richmond City Hall, serving on the human relations team. He would get to know that building extraordinarily well since he was appointed to the Richmond City Council in 1985 and served numerous terms since then. John’s government service continued on the state level, where he eventually served as California’s Deputy Labor Commission.

Paying it forward

While John retired from teaching in 2000, he was far from done with serving 4CD. He ran for the Governing Board and won a seat, and he has been reelected many times.

“For me, board service isn’t about having a fancy title,” he says. “It has to come from the heart. It’s not about me but what’s best for the community. That means increasing access and transforming lives through education.”

John recalled the first time he registered for class in CCC’s fireside room. “Standing with my cousin Frank Herrera, I eventually realized I was in the wrong line since I was in the line for Hs, and my name starts in an M, ” he laughs. “I had to go all the way back to the parking lot and start again.”

Years later, John was in a cafe in Albany where a young woman was working at the cash register. He overheard her talking about her desire to attend college. While working at registration one day, he saw that same woman walk in, only to find all her classes were filled. “I saw her sobbing from disappointment, and I knew I could help her navigate through the process,” he explains. Later, that woman graduated and became a board member, and her son is also a proud 4CD alum.

As a retired faculty member, John has known countless students and enjoyed following their careers. “I love running into our alumni, and it’s a thrill to see their accomplishments,” he says. “Our 4CD colleges have evolved in a positive direction since my student days, and I’m very proud.”

Never sitting still, John hopes to see additional college readiness programs that build more bridges between underserved communities and college. “I’ve seen all the changes we’ve gone through, and I’m just as excited about the changes ahead,” he says.

• Home
• Press Release
• Welcome to 4CD’s 75th anniversary!
• Mojdeh Mehdizadeh - Coming Full Circle
• Bringing the World to 4CD
• Celebrating the Women of 4CD
• John Marquez’s 55+ Years of Building a Stronger 4CD
• 75th Anniversary Boards
• Sharing Memories - Contra Costa Community College District 1948–2008, a collection of stories edited by Bill Harlan