About Karla dominguez vega
I am the daughter of immigrants from Michoacán, Mexico.
I was born in Compton, California, shortly after my family immigrated to the United States. Soon afterward, we moved to Morgan Hill, which has been my home ever since. So yes, I am straight out of Compton—but…
My heart belongs to Morgan Hill.
My mom walked us to the bus every day so we could attend Burnett Elementary School and, later, Martin Murphy Middle School. I then became a proud Live Oak High School Acorn. During Christmas breaks, my family traveled to Michoacán—that’s a picture of my surrogate tías—so I remained connected to my roots and continued speaking Spanish fluently.
After high school, I attended nursing school at one of Mexico’s leading universities in my parents’ home state of Michoacán. After returning to Morgan Hill, I worked in several administrative positions while building a stable life for myself and my family.
A Commitment to Serving the South County Community.
My husband, Ralph Dominguez, and I have been married for nearly twenty years. We share a strong belief in the importance of family, hard work, and community service.
Together, we have raised two children. Our daughter, Abigail, is a senior at Sobrato High School and is considering her university options. Our son, Rodolfo, is a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department.
We are incredibly proud of them both.
I began working part-time for the Morgan Hill Unified School District so I could dedicate more time to raising my children. Six years ago, I had the opportunity to become a full-time Student Support Specialist with CARE—Coordinated Advocacy and Resources for Education—where I work closely with students and families.
As a Student Support Specialist, I help young people and families experiencing homelessness or navigating the foster-care system. Many of these students also face academic difficulties, emotional or behavioral challenges, and a lack of basic necessities.
My work is personal.
As the daughter of immigrants, I understand that many families go through difficult times. My experiences have taught me that kindness and generosity are often among the most powerful tools we have to restore hope and affirm a person’s dignity.
At school, some of my most rewarding moments begin when a student or parent greets me as “Mrs. Karla” and thanks me for helping them through a difficult time or motivating them to reach greater heights.
When I became a Student Support Specialist, I saw the tremendous need in our community and wondered whether I could truly make a difference. Sometimes, a young person tells me that they are too tired or hungry to arrive at class on time. I then reach out to our community partners and connect that student and their family with the resources they need. That support can make all the difference.
That is why running for the County Office of Education is not an abstract idea to me. It is an opportunity to use my experience, knowledge, and community relationships to serve as a trustee who is present and accountable to our young people and families.