Alberto Olivas, M.Ed., is the Founding Executive Director of the Congressman Ed Pastor Center for Politics & Public Service at Arizona State University, an initiative to help students learn the skills for effective civic and political engagement. Apart from this role, Alberto provides training and technical assistance on issues related to civic education, public dialogue, and public engagement.
 
Prior to coming to ASU, Alberto was Executive Director of the Center for Civic Participation for the Maricopa Community College District. Previously, Alberto was Vice President of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and has served in appointed leadership positions for Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull, as Director of the Governor’s Office for Equal Opportunity; and as State Voter Outreach Director for Arizona Secretary of State Betsey Bayless. Governor Janet Napolitano appointed Alberto to the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs.

Alberto has served on the boards of several national civic organizations, including the editorial board for the Public Service Review, the National Civic League, Democracy Works, and Public Agenda. Locally, he served on the Court Leadership Institute of Arizona for the Arizona Supreme Court, and as Vice Chair of the Arizona Town Hall board of directors.