USD Magazine Summer 2021

There’s no denying that San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria ‘00 (BA) is breaking new ground as the city’s first person of color and first openly gay person to hold the office. An honor student who graduated summa cum laude with a dual degree in history and political science, Gloria’s career has been devoted to public service. He was first elected to the San Diego City Council in 2008, ran for re-election unopposed in 2012, and was unanimously elected to serve as council president that same year. In 2013, Gloria became the interim mayor upon the resignation of Mayor Bob Filner, and held the office until 2014. In 2016 he was elected to California State Assembly and was re-elected in 2018. During those years he served as both assistant majority whip and majority whip. He announced his candidacy for mayor in early 2019 and was elected mayor in November 2020. Recently, he met with University of San Diego President James T. Harris for a wide- ranging conversation. A CONVERSAT ION WI TH SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA ‘00 AND USD PRESIDENT JAMES T. HARRIS by Julene Snyder MEETING OF MINDS

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Summe r 2021