Distinguished Alumnus
Miguel Gamboa is currently the Principal of Watts Learning Center Charter Middle School. He has been a distinguished K-12 education reform school leader for the last 14 years, making a difference working with kids in schools where it matters most. Miguel is a proven leader in his profession and serves as an Expert Consultant. He is someone who has always had a passion for helping others. He has served as a teacher, a dean, an assistant principal, and a principal at various schools in the Los Angeles area. Under his leadership, as the principal of Patti and Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy High School, the school was recognized as a California Distinguished School in 2019. His current middle school was just recently recognized for having the 2nd highest growth in English and 7th highest in Math in the state of California.
After graduating high school, Miguel served four years in the United States Navy. He then attended San Diego State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with honors. In 2010, He received his Master’s degree and administrative credential from Loyola Marymount University. Over the last ten years, Miguel has brought hundreds of his students from Los Angeles to explore the beautiful campus of SDSU to increase their perspectives about the importance of going to college.
Alongside his busy career, Miguel loves spending time with his wife and three children. He supports his community by volunteer coaching various youth sports. He also serves on a school board and continues to look for more ways to improve the quality of life through education in underserved communities with a sense of urgency.
