The Honorable Sid Espinosa to Address Palo Alto University Graduate Students at Commencement

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Councilman Sid Espinosa

PAU’s culture of giving back and reducing the suffering of others is so in line with what I think should be a priority for all of us.

Palo Alto, Calif. (PRWEB) June 04, 2012

Palo Alto University (PAU), a private, non-profit, higher education institution, announced today that The Honorable Sid Espinosa, the former Mayor of Palo Alto, will address its undergraduate students at ceremonies to be held at the Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center at Stanford on June 9, 2012.

“When looking for a commencement speaker, universities search for someone that can inspire their graduates,” said Allen Calvin, president of PAU. “As someone who has spent his career traveling the world lecturing on the importance of corporate social responsibility and philanthropy, Sid is the definition of inspirational. We are thrilled he will be addressing our outgoing class of graduate students.”

Currently a city council member, Mr. Espinosa is one of the youngest, and the first and only Hispanic persons to be elected to public office in Palo Alto’s history. His career has spanned the government, business, philanthropic and non-profit sectors. He has earned the reputation as a vocal advocate for increased transparency in government and the use of technology to better communicate with and provide services for citizens.
After college, Mr. Espinosa worked at the Democratic National Committee during the 1994 congressional campaigns, and later joined the Clinton Administration, working both at the White House and then as an advisor to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno at the U.S. Department of Justice.

In 2000, Mr. Espinosa moved to the private sector and joined Hewlett-Packard Company (HP), where he worked on public policy issues. He later became HP’s Director of Global Philanthropy, leading the annual investment of tens of millions of dollars in non-profit organizations and schools in 60 countries around the world and in all 50 U.S. states. Mr. Espinosa traveled around the globe numerous times during this period, and frequently lectured on philanthropic and corporate social responsibility trends. In 2009, Mr. Espinosa joined Microsoft Corporation as the Director of Corporate Citizenship in the Silicon Valley where he is developing comprehensive community-engagement programs ranging from strategic philanthropic investments to public policy leadership.

Mr. Espinosa has received many accolades, including being listed in 2008 among the “40 Under 40” of the Silicon Valley and winning the 2011 Humanitarian of the Year Award (along with former U.S. Cabinet Secretary Norm Mineta) by Hidden Villa. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University and holds a graduate degree from Harvard.

“PAU’s culture of giving back and reducing the suffering of others is so in line with what I think should be a priority for all of us," said Espinosa. “These graduates hold the key to our future and it is an honor to be in their company.”

All media inquiries should be directed to Elena Arney at 530.386.5932 or elena_arney(at)yahoo(dot)com.

About Palo Alto University
Founded in 1975 as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto University (PAU) is dedicated to reducing suffering and improving lives through education and research in psychology, clinical training and practice in a diversity of cultures, and service to communities around the world. PAU offers seven degree programs, ranging from Bachelor level to Ph.D., including a consortium with Stanford University and a Ph.D./J.D. dual degree program with Golden Gate University. The University’s faculty is ranked among the top 25 schools and universities for research productivity out of the 166 APA-accredited clinical psychology Ph.D. programs. Through the University's Kurt and Barbara Gronowski Clinic, PAU offers mental health services to the community at-large regardless of ability to pay.

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