Commissioner, SRC

Director
Center for Hispanic Excellence: La Casa Latina
University of Pennsylvania

Johnny Irizarry holds a Masters Degree in Urban Education from Temple University and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Philadelphia College of Art (University of the Arts). In 1996 he received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, from Swarthmore College.

For seven (7) years before coming to the University of Pennsylvania to serve as Director of the Center for Hispanic Excellence: La Casa Latina, Irizarry served as Executive Director/CEO of The Lighthouse, a 115-year-old multi-service community based Neighborhood Center located in North Philadelphia.

Irizarry has served as an educator in various community-based charter schools (Eugenio Maria de Hostos and Esperanza HS). Prior to that he worked as Program Specialist for Puerto Rican and Latino Studies for the School District of Philadelphia's Office of Curriculum Support from 1997-2000. Before joining the Philadelphia School District Irizarry served for twelve(12) years as Executive Director of Taller Puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican/Latino arts & cultural center located in North Philadelphia). During this time Irizarry was a founding board member of the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture and is currently serving another term as board member of NALAC.

Irizarry has served as adjunct faculty at La Salle University and currently at Temple University teaching Latino Studies courses. He lectures and facilitates workshops on the development of Puerto Rican and Latino history, arts and culture, community arts, culturally inclusive education, arts education and arts and non-profit management.