Form Name: Boards and Commissions Application
Unique ID: 1338008751
Applicant Information
Name Pedro Valencia Landa
Are you a Sunnyvale resident? Yes
How long have you lived in
Sunnyvale?
11 years
Description Area Residence Notice:Unless otherwise noted, your principal place of residence must be in Sunnyvale. You must live in Sunnyvale at the time of appointment and at all times during service on a board or commission.
Current Main Residence
Email
Phone
Are you currently a registered
voter in Sunnyvale?
No
Have you ever served on a City of
Sunnyvale board or commission?
No
Have you attended a meeting of
the City Council, or a board or
commission?
Yes
Briefly describe what you learned
by watching or attending a
meeting of the City Council,
board or commission. What
improvements would you
suggest?
I attended a meeting for the city council on the 10th of December.
My aim attending this meeting was to be able to support the unhoused community on the efforts that were being pushed for a winter temporary hotel shelter for the unhoused population in the community. What I hope to see more is community involvement during council meetings. The public attendance was fairly low and was thinking that potentially that aspect could be improved so we have more representation of our community during decision making.
Have you attended meetings of
the board(s) or commission(s) for
which you are applying?
No
Board or Commission Selection
First Choice Human Relations Commission
Pedro Valencia Landa
Office Use Only
Date Received:
__________
Voter registration
verified:
Office Use Only
Date Received: __________
Voter registration verified:
On: ___________________
By: ___________________
Date Received:
Voter registration verified:
On:
By: ___________________
4/24/25
N/A
MH
Applicant Qualifications
What motivated you to apply for
this board or commission?
Various factors have led me to apply to this commission. The main motivation to apply is my ultimate goal, which is to be able to give back to the underrepresented community by helping the next generation accomplish their dreams while bridging the ethnicity gaps currently present in higher education and skilled workforce. I was also motivated to apply because for about a year now I have been a part of the Sunnyvale Community Leaders, a group that primarily focuses on helping minorities, in which I was able to learn more about different ways in which I can help the Sunnyvale community I care deeply for. FInally, a main motivator was my students, because as a paraeducator, I work with underserved communities all the time so I want to make sure I am knowledgeable of all resources that can be of used for them.
What skills or attributes can you
bring to this board or
commission?
Education wise, I just graduated from a masters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from UCSC this past August. Therefore, I have developed skills on: critical thinking, solving complex problems, writing, data management, goal tracking, among many others. As a scientist, I have also published my work and presented at various conferences which has allowed me to develop my public speaking skills as well as my adaptability and communication with various audiences since Kindergarteners all the way to older science colleagues.
Personal wise, I am a first generation gay Latino immigrant, raised by a single mother. As a part of multiple minority groups I have been able to first hand experience many challenges that my communities have faced. Due to this I consider myself lucky to be able to empathize and be knowledgeable about many of the issues I have faced allowing for an early emotional development.
The primary role of a board or
commission member is to provide
advice to City Council on policy
issues that are within the scope
of the board or commission. What
steps would you take to
effectively exercise this specific
board or commission role?
I will make sure that I am knowledgeable of the proper steps and procedures already in place for the commission of human resources where I plan to take part of. Therefore, I plan to look back at the work that was done so far and see what are the issues that have been targeted and not targeted until now. I also plan to keep constant communication and share my ideas with my fellow commission members that way I can make sure I am on pace with them. Also, making sure that I ask for feedback in what I can improve is part of my own work ethic. I will always be open to hearing feedback from anyone in the group.
Pedro Valencia Landa
Education – List college degrees,
majors and any relevant training
or experience that demonstrates
your ability to effectively serve
on this board or commission.
I have already expressed my education a bit before, but here is a proper list of my degrees:
-B.S. in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Ecology and Evolution
-Masters in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
-CPR certified
Describe your involvement in
community activities, volunteer
and civic organizations.
I have had various types of experiences including:
-7 years of experience mentoring underrepresented communities of different levels from High School levels to undergrads. These experiences include from common homework help to helping my mentees with career choices.
-1 year being part of the Sunnyvale Communities Leaders, where I have helped in planning, organizing and directing various events.
Description Area The City has a Code of Ethics and Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials and an Attendance Policy (7.2.19), 2 G (II) that appointed members are required to follow.
Do you have any concerns related
to the above code and policy?
No
Are you willing to accept a
temporary appointment for the
remainder of an unexpired term?
Yes
Board or Commission-Specific Questions
Human Relations Commission
Category One: I'm a Sunnyvale
resident.
Yes
Pedro Valencia Landa
What do you think are major
equity challenges facing the
Sunnyvale community?
The following are two major areas with equity challenges in our community:
1. Housing. As everyone, already has possibly heard Sunnyvale is a very expensive place to live in not only for people like me who have lived in this community for a while. This mainly affects those in our vicinity that want to move to the city but cannot afford the living conditions in this location. Affecting also our potential customers and small businesses that want to strive to become part of our amazing community.
2. School integration. As an educator, I have seen how our school systems is amazing at what it does but also some of its weaknesses. I specifically work in the Fremont Union High School district as a paraeducator at Homestead High School, where I work with the English learning and developing students. As such, majority of my students are immigrants who have just arrived at the country. As an immigrant we know that it is very hard for us to adjust and be able to become stable. As such it would be great if the school system had some type of systemic procedure to help the new student arrivals not only with the English language but also to help them connect to resources for, housing, job search, or whatever other essential needs they may have.
Describe your experience working
with historically marginalized
communities. How have your
actions benefited these
communities?
As I have mentioned, I am a Paraeducator working with
marginalized communities but I am also part of them. On top of that I have also participated in the following:
1. Going out to the temporary winter shelter to help serve the families there by volunteering serving food.
2. Participated in the yearly homelessness fair directing people without a home to get their vitals, hearing tests, and vision tests among others in the Sunnyvale community services events.
In general my work has been that of a bridge between the resources I know are available and those in need that do not know of them, whether that is working with a parent at school, or with someone at an event in the Sunnyvale community.
Demographic Information
Your age
Your gender
Pedro Valencia Landa
Description Area
LGBTQIA+ Identity
Race or Ethnicity (select all that
apply)
Do you speak a language other
than English?
Which languages?
Household Income
Residence - Are you a
Do you live in a
Your Agreement
Description Area IMPORTANT NOTICE – READ BEFORE SIGNING:By selecting both “Yes” and “Submit Form” below I am adding my digital signature to this application. I am also agreeing with the following statements:All statements I have made on this application are true and correct.I authorize the City of Sunnyvale (City) to investigate the accuracy of this information.I release the City from all claims and liabilities arising from such investigation.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application will be grounds for the City to deny my appointment. A false statement discovered later, will be grounds to dismiss me from my appointment at any time.I acknowledge that any false statement on this application could lead to criminal charges. Charges could fall under California Penal Code, Section 115 or other applicable law.
I agree Yes
Your full name Pedro Valencia Landa
Date Apr 24, 2025
Pedro Valencia Landa