Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) Deputy Superintendent Dr. Diann Kitamura recently joined the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs.

Kitamura’s appointment, made by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senator Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, installed her as a commissioner on the 12-member board, which works to elevate the political, economic, and social issues of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in the state. Kitamura attended her first meeting as commissioner on Friday, May 9, and will serve until Jan. 1, 2028.

“Dr. Kitamura’s lived experiences as the descendent of undocumented immigrants who were forcibly relocated during World War II, as well as her career-long commitment to equity, make her well-positioned for this state-level advocacy work,” said Dr. Amie Carter, Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools. “It has been a pleasure to have Diann as part of our leadership team at SCOE these past two school years. I look forward to seeing the impact she has on advancing the causes of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.”

Before joining SCOE as a deputy superintendent during the 2023-24 school year, Kitamura served as superintendent of Santa Rosa City Schools (SRCS) from 2016 to 2021. Kitamura led SRCS through multiple large wildfires, as well as the transition to distance learning and the return to campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her career of service to public schools spans more than 42 years.

Kitamura’s decision to become a teacher was inspired in part by the experiences of her mother, who endured racism, oppression, abuse, and isolation when she reentered public school after being held at Amache internment camp for Japanese American citizens.

“It is an honor to be named a commissioner for the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs,” Kitamura said. “As a Japanese American woman and lifelong advocate for educational equity and justice, I carry with me the strength of my ancestors and the hopes of future generations. I am committed to ensuring that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander voices are heard, valued, and uplifted in shaping the future of our state.”