Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) today announced the appointment of Celia C. Ayala as its new chief executive officer effective immediately. Ayala, who previously served as chief operating officer and Interim CEO of LAUP, replaces Gary Mangiofico.

Ayala will lead efforts for LAUP to increase accessibility to high-quality preschool education throughout Los Angeles County, to better prepare children for school and life and help close the achievement gap that is prevalent among many children entering kindergarten.   
 

Victor H. Palmieri, chairman of the LAUP Board of Directors, which announced Ayala’s appointment following a vote today, praised Ayala. He said the Board will work closely with Ayala, and is confident she will successfully guide LAUP’s efforts to increase accessibility to quality and affordable preschool throughout Los Angeles County.
“We look forward to working with Dr. Ayala as we set our sight on expanding sorely needed preschool opportunities throughout Los Angeles County,” he said. “Dr. Ayala’s exceptional knowledge and experience in the education field puts LAUP in a great position to build upon its tremendous success.”
As LAUP’s Chief Operating Officer since 2007, Ayala led the organization’s day-to-day operations, including the educational programs that help more than 330 LAUP network preschools enhance and expand their classrooms and services to children and their families. She also oversaw the funding of preschool classroom construction and upgrades, and created strategic educational programs to attract and retain preschool teachers and providers.
“I am honored to work on behalf of the children in Los Angeles County,” Ayala said. “I will continue to work hard until the day when voluntary quality preschool education becomes accessible to every child in our county. This is my passion, and I’m thrilled at this new opportunity.”

For more than 34 years, Ayala has worked tirelessly as a teacher, lead administrator and advocate for the children of Southern California. Prior to joining LAUP, she served as the Assistant Superintendent, Division of Children & Family Services, at the Riverside County Office of Education.

In her role as assistant superintendent, she managed all early childhood education programs, including the county’s Head Start program. She also managed a $200 million budget for more than 2,000 providers, and successfully directed a staff of more than 1,500 employees.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently appointed Ayala to the California Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee.  In this post, she is responsible for helping to recommend a statewide quality improvement system for early child learning and will assist in developing policy to be implemented throughout California.
Ayala’s leadership in education also placed her as a member of the First 5 Riverside Commission, where she used her in-depth experience and community know-how to elevate and support goodwill programs for children across the county. Ayala also worked at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, where she managed a $150 million budget, including Head Start and State Preschool.

Throughout her career, she helped her students realize that an education is a tool and a master key to unlock the door of their potential. Ayala has also helped families to understand the value of a college education, often visiting parents at home to identify barriers – real and perceived – to higher learning. Serving as a natural mentor to hundreds of young students, many of Ayala’s students have gone on to college, including several who have pursued distinguished careers in California and throughout the nation. 

Ayala’s educational path has complemented her professional success and advocacy. Ayala holds a doctorate in education from the University of Southern California. She received a Master of Arts degree in education from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and Spanish from the University of Southern California.