MEET KRISTINE KWONG
PCC Board Trustee | Champion for Education | Education Lawyer
MEET PCC TRUSTEE KRISTINE KWONG
Kristine Kwong is an education attorney, community leader, and proud South Pasadena native serving on the Pasadena City College Board of Trustees. Since her election in 2022, she has provided thoughtful leadership, including serving as President of the Board of Trustees, while working to expand educational opportunity, support students, and ensure Pasadena City College remains a strong, accessible resource for the entire community.
For more than two decades, Kristine has built her career helping public agencies and educational institutions navigate complex legal and operational challenges. She advises school districts, colleges and universities, and local government agencies throughout California on labor and employment matters, student issues, governance, compliance, and litigation. As a respected speaker and trainer, she has worked with more than 1,000 public agencies and community college districts across the country, equipping leaders with the tools to navigate an ever-changing legal landscape. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at California State University, Northridge, teaching management courses to the next generation of professionals.
Kristine's commitment to education is deeply personal. Her family's story began when her father fled China after World War II, escaping war and political persecution before arriving in the United States with little more than hope for a better future. Her parents instilled in her the belief that education creates opportunity, opens doors, and changes lives. Those values continue to guide her work today as she advocates for students and works to ensure others have access to the same opportunities that shaped her own life.
A lifelong member of the South Pasadena community and graduate of South Pasadena High School, Kristine has dedicated years to local service. She previously served on the South Pasadena Parks and Recreation Commission, the City's Transportation Commission, and is a member of the Diversity Board at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.
Outside of her professional and public service, Kristine is an accomplished classical pianist who has performed throughout the Pasadena area and regularly volunteers her time playing at retirement communities and local events. She has also mentored students throughout her career, reflecting her longstanding passion for helping others achieve their goals.