About Me
In November 2016, Jesse J. Chavez-Cordova became the youngest, gay, first-generation Latino to ever hold an elected position in Highland. As one of the five city council members in the City of Highland, Jesse has led Highland to pave the streets to District 1, implement LED lighting across the city, and applying for grants to develop Safe Routes to Schools for our local students.
Prior to being elected to City Council, Jesse had an extensive career in community leadership, non-profit activism, and being selected to participate in the prestigious and competitive Disneyland College Program in Anaheim, CA.
Currently, Jesse is a student at CSU San Bernardino pursuing a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Strategic Communications with a minor in Pre-Law.
In the news
SAN BERNARDINO — Jesse Chavez-Cordova, a first-generation college graduate and former two-term Highland City Councilmember, delivers keynote to graduates with a heartfelt speech that reflected on his path from community activism to public service and, ultimately, academic achievement. [YouTube]
Read more about Jesse in the 2025 Commencement Program.
By Paul Bratulin, SBVC News
May 20, 2025
SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Jesse Chavez-Cordova, SBVC Class of 2025 graduate and former Highland City Councilmember, will deliver the student address at San Bernardino Valley College’s historic Commencement ceremony on May 23 at San Manuel Stadium. [Read more]
By Veronica Terriquez and Jazmine Miles
UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Library
August 2022
“Because of this formative experience, young ICUC
members are likely to continue seeking to improve their
communities as they become older adults, serving as
role models for future cohorts of young people. Many
will likely pursue careers in public service. Some may
even seek public office, like ICUC alum Jesse Chavez, a Highland City council member…” [Read more]
By Anthony Victoria, IECN
December 13, 2017
HIGHLAND, CA — Now as Mayor Pro Tempore, Chavez will be heading into 2018 with a set of ambitions to transform the western part of the city.
By Jesse Chavez, IECN
June 1, 2017
HIGHLAND, CA — Donald Trump has listened to the likes of Steve Bannon and Scott Pruitt, rather than the Pope, business leaders, and millions of people across the world by deciding to pull out of the Paris accord.
It is a historic mistake. [Read more]
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
January 27, 2017
HIGHLAND, CA — Newly elected Highland City Councilman Jesse Chavez’s political career really started about 10 years ago when he was a teen… [Read more]
By Sandra Emerson, Redlands Daily Facts
November 9, 2016
HIGHLAND, CA — Two City Council incumbents were re-elected Tuesday, and with them two new faces under the city’s newly implemented district-based election system… [Read more]
By Alejandra Molina, The Press-Enterprise
SAN BERNARDINO, CA — …Jesse Chavez, a member of the nondenominational group, went to high school with Melanie Miers and helped organize the vigil in her honor 10 years ago. “The same city many of us grew up in, once again, here I stand in the same spot. Over a decade later, asking for the same thing: to put an end to violence,” Chavez said. [Read more]
By Jim Steinberg, San Bernardino Sun
SAN BERNARDINO, CA — …“I was here in 2005 when Melanie Miers was killed. I can’t believe I’m back fifteen years later,” said Jesse Chavez, a youth adult leader for Inland Congregations United For Change, which also goes by the acronym ICUC. [Read more]