Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Business, civic groups want a say in CCSD’S next leader
The Latin Chamber of Commerce has long had a positive relationship with whoever occupies the superintendent post at Clark County School District, said chamber leader Peter Guzman, and he would like to weigh in on the next person in the top spot — whoever that person is.
“We want to have a voice in” selecting CCSD’S next chief educator, Guzman said. “The business community expects us, as members of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, to be involved in everything that affects everyday life because it ends up affecting people’s businesses.”
Almost half of CCSD’S pupils are Latino. And they’re all potentially Las Vegas’ future workforce.
Knowing that CCSD graduates are the backbone of the local economy is why business leaders like Guzman are closely watching the hiring process to fill the position Jesus Jara vacated last month when he resigned after nearly six challenging years.
“Clark County School District is the No. 1 pipeline that prepares our students to be career- and college-ready. That means ready to take on the challenges of the workforce,” said Cara Clarke, a spokeswoman for the Vegas Chamber. “We not only need talented young people, but we need them properly educated for them to take on these roles. And right now, that’s not happening.”
Several community organizations collaborated on a letter this month encouraging the School Board, which hires and supervises the superintendent as its only employee, to consider a national search for Jara’s successor. Eight of the civic groups that signed on to the letter were local business and industry groups.
The coalition said a national search could include local candidates, but the process should be transparent and allow for robust community participation.
“As you undoubtedly appreciate, the selection of the next superintendent will have a major effect on the people we represent and our community at large,” the letter read. “In fact, choosing the next superintendent may be one of the most consequential decisions you will make for years to
business world through a business language class and the university’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Madzou secured two internships and established the Colored Business Association, which connects students of color to opportunities in the business industry.
“We’re known as UNLV — a keyword (being) ‘Las Vegas’ because of how Las Vegas is viewed entertainment-wise, but we have the guys, the women and the individuals that can change a lot of Fortune 500 companies,” Madzou said of his reason for starting the Colored Business Association.
Companies such as KPMG, Ernst and Young, Deloitte, JP Morgan Chase and St. Jude’s Hospital have all partnered with the club, he said.
Madzou also leads UNLV’S branch of 100 Black Men, which provides mentorships and support programs that span from health and wellness to leadership development.
His work was recognized earlier this month by Rep. Susie Lee, D-nev., who invited Madzou to be her guest for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. He initially met Lee through a discussion she held on the impact of gun violence.
“I’m honored to have Hoffman as my guest to the State of the Union Address because he exemplifies the hard work it takes to achieve the American dream and the selflessness needed to make our students, businesses, and communities stronger,” Lee said in a statement.
While in Washington, D.C., Lee showed Madzou around the congressional library and helped him meet a plethora of notable figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.
It’s a great addition to an already expansive résumé for Madzou, who will be moving to Pennsylvania following graduation in May to work as a financial analyst for Vanguard, an investment management company.
His goals span far beyond that, though. Madzou eventually wants to become a Fortune 500 CEO at a well-known business and earn a master’s degree. For now, he’ll continue checking off his little wins, he said, such as getting his own apartment and joining the 100 Black Men branch in Pennsylvania.
The sky’s the limit for Madzou, and he owes it all to his mother’s decision to immigrate, his mentors’ guidance and his soon-to-be alma mater of UNLV.
“I look at where I am now in comparison (to the Republic of Congo); if I was still there, I don’t think it would have been relatively close — free education, free empowerment, free diversity, free thought-processing helped me get here versus on the other side, it’s not that way,” Madzou said. “I’m forever grateful for everything that Nevada has given to me.”