Sunny Zia
Board of Trustees Member in Long Beach, CA, US
A California Registered Civil Engineer with a Master of Science from the University of California, Irvine, Sunny Zia has more than 15 years of legislative experience working with federal, state, and local legislatures for the betterment of the Long Beach community in California. A first generation Iranian immigrant, Sunny Zia has also advocated for Iranian Americans to the U.S. House of Representatives and from relief of broad-based economic sanctions and the incorporation of humanitarian provisions in bipartisan congressional resolutions.
Sunny Zia is currently serving her second term on the Long Beach Community College District Board. Elected a Trustee in 2014, she has created legislation advancing the community college, supported strengthening Pell Grants for students undertaking work-study programs, and facilitated post-secondary education for qualifying individuals who are incarcerated. She has also lobbied governing bodies for additional college funding for students facing hunger and housing insecurity. Further, Sunny Zia has set policies that create local jobs, support training for skilled workers, and provide support to students facing homelessness.
Known affectionately as the Voice for the Voiceless, Sunny Zia has given herself wholeheartedly to public service. She is a former member of the Los Angeles Probation Commission and a sustaining member of the Long Beach City College Foundation. She is a former member of Congressman Alan Lowenthal’s Citizens Commission on Human Rights.