MEET MANUEL

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Glendale has always been a special place for me.

A city where the foothills catch the morning light, where tree-lined streets feel welcoming at every turn, and where people from every background find a place to belong. Its beautiful neighborhoods, diverse communities, and spirit of possibility shaped me long before I ever imagined serving it.

It’s why my wife and I chose to make Glendale our home and why we are proud to raise our child here. It’s also why I chose Glendale Community College as the place to begin my educational journey. This city has given me so much, and today, I want to give back by running for GCC Board of Trustees, Area 3.

My name is Manuel Magpapian, and my life’s work has been guided by a commitment to civic engagement, equity, and strengthening the communities that raised me.

Growing up in East Hollywood’s Little Armenia, and later studying at GCC, I saw firsthand how public institutions, when led with care and vision, can transform lives. Those lessons stayed with me through my studies at UC Santa Barbara and into my career in law, where I continue to champion fairness, accountability, and access for all.

I became active in public service not out of obligation, but out of gratitude, a belief that we each have a responsibility to build the kind of community that once lifted us.

Leadership Rooted in Service.

For more than a decade, I’ve worked to strengthen civic participation, expand community resources, and uplift local voices. My leadership experience includes:

Commissioner, State of California Respiratory Care Board
Board Member & Former President, Southern California Armenian Democrats
Alternate Member, LA County Democratic Party Central Committee
Former Board Member, YWCA Glendale & Pasadena
Former Vice President & Treasurer, Glendale Parks and Open Space Foundation

These roles have allowed me to collaborate with students, families, healthcare professionals, nonprofit partners, and elected leaders, always with a focus on transparency, collaboration, and practical solutions.

Glendale shaped who I am. Now, I hope to help shape Glendale Community College into an even stronger place of learning, opportunity, and belonging for every student who walks through its doors.