By Monir Khilla —
Rolando Lavarro, who has worked at New Jersey City University as the Assistant Director for Grants and Sponsored Programs for the past four years, was elected Councilman-At-Large for Jersey City on November 8, 2011 and was sworn in on November 21st. Lavarro is the first Filipino American to be elected to City Council in Jersey City.
When asked why he decided to run for public office, Lavarro said, “I decided to run on the day when President Obama was sworn in back in 2009. I heard him speak to the nation about the urgency of contributing and giving back to the community. That was when I decided to run for local office.”
Lavarro said that he ran with the intention of fighting for a priority-based budget and improving the quality of life and public safety of Jersey City residents.
“I’m going to work hard for the next 17 months to make Jersey City a more affordable, safer, and vibrant place for people to live and work, including our students and academic community,” said Lavarro.
Lavarro’s campaign slogan was “Commitment to Service” and he encourages anyone who wants to take on the same challenge to come forward. “My door is always open and I’m here to serve. If anyone has innovative or proven ideas to improve Jersey City, I’m here to listen and move the City forward.”
In looking to the future, Lavarro said, “We hope to create a Jersey City that lives up to and supports the individual aspirations of everyone in the community. I want to create an environment in Jersey City that will allow NJCU to fulfill its mission and be a premier higher education institution in New Jersey.”
Lavarro was born in New Brunswick after his parents immigrated to the United States from the Philippines. His family also spent a number of years living in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, and North Dakota, before finally settling in Jersey City when he was seven.
Lavarro attended St Paul’s Grammar School and St. Peter’s Preparatory High School in Jersey City. He graduated from New York University’s Stern School of Business where he earned his degree in Marketing with a Philosophy minor. After finishing college, he worked in various community and local jobs including non-profit organizations. In the political realm, he served as Aide to Jersey City Councilwoman Mary Donnelly, and as the Director of Constituent Services for then New Jersey State Assemblyman (now Senator) Bob Gordon.
Lavarro currently lives in the Greenville section of Jersey City with his wife Veronica and baby daughter Gabriela.