The proud daughter of immigrant parents and a first generation college graduate, Alex's personal educational journey has inspired her passion and commitment to working in progressive and non-transitional learning environments.. Entering her 14th year working as a full-time education professional, Alex’s career has always been positioned at the intersection of the community and the academy. Professionally, she's earned a reputation for revitalizing community partnerships, developing culturally responsive programs, reimagining student, family and community engagement, and developing models for collaborative and sustainable impact. 

She received her Bachelors from Whittier College in Sociology and was awarded a full-ride scholarship for her Masters in Education at Whittier College. Upon graduation, she was appointed the Director of Community Education Programs at Whittier College where she worked to develop partnerships and collaborative initiatives with youth service providers. During her tenure at Whittier, Alex also served as a classroom instructor in the Education & Child Development Department where she designed curriculum for and taught 2 courses (EDUC545 Community Education Practicum and a study - abroad course with international partners in Seville, Spain EDUC282 Progressive Teaching and Learning). After Whittier College, Alex worked at Azusa Pacific University as the Experiential Learning Manager concurrently teaching a First-Year Seminar course and Vocation 200. At APU, she leveraged University resources to develop sustainable and mutually-beneficial programs through the stewardship and mobilization of Federal Work-Study funds.

Since arriving at The SAE in 2019 Alex has implemented processes and procedures elevating and streamlining our admissions, outreach, engagement and marketing efforts. As a member of the Executive Leadership team, much of her capacity is spent supporting the stability and vitality of our School’s enrollment and managing the implementation of The SAE’s recent Strategic Plan. In 2022 Alex Oliva was the recipient of the National Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton Emerging Leader Award, presented by The Arts Schools Network. Additionally Alex is a consultant on a five year U.S. Department of Education $8.5Million grant to strengthen arts educational programming in the nation’s educational system. Alex has the pleasure of both working and living in the Historic Arts Colony in Downtown Pomona and was recently appointed for her second term as the Commissioner for District 2 on The City of Pomona’s Community Life Commission. Her personal joys include strolling The Downtown Pomona Arts Colony with her Husband Brian and their dog Jasper, eating and shopping at their favorite local businesses!