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East Los Angeles College and Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce Sign MOU to Launch Junior Chamber Program for Students

October 8, 2026

10/8/2026
News Media Contact:
Kevin Jimenez, College Public Relations Manager
(323) 265-8807 | jimeneka@elac.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Monterey Park, CA. – East Los Angeles College (ELAC) and the Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce (MPCC) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the MPCC Junior Chamber, a new program designed to connect ELAC students with civic engagement, community outreach, leadership development, and business-community collaboration opportunities
throughout Monterey Park and the surrounding area.

Under the agreement, ELAC will sponsor up to 100 eligible students to join the Junior Chamber of MPCC, which will serve as an advisory and volunteer body to the Chamber’s Community Outreach Committee. Sponsored students will receive their $20 annual student membership fee waived entirely, courtesy of ELAC’s sponsorship, with the program beginning May 14, 2026.

“Removing the cost barrier for the first 100 students reflects exactly what this partnership is about opening doors. Every student who joins the Junior Chamber gains access to mentorship, networking, and leadership opportunities that can shape their career path, regardless of their background,” said ELAC President Monte E. Perez.

Through the new partnership, Junior Chamber members will:

  • Complete a minimum of five community service hours annually through Chamber-organized
    events
  • Participate in local festivals, mixers, and other signature Monterey Park community events
  • Support pageant and creative projects, including volunteering with Miss Monterey Park on
    marketing, promotional materials, and behind-the-scenes production
  • Gain experiential learning in leadership, business operations, nonprofit administration, and
    community engagement
  • Contribute recommendations and presentations directly to MPCC’s Community Outreach
    Committee

As part of the launch, the first 100 students to sign up will receive their Junior Chamber membership entirely free, sponsored by ELAC. Each institution will designate points of coordination to support the program: ELAC will identify a faculty or staff liaison to manage communications and student engagement, while MPCC will provide organizational oversight, mentorship, and volunteer
coordination for participating students.

About East Los Angeles College: Established in 1945, East Los Angeles College is one of the largest community colleges in California, serving more than 30,000 students annually. As part of the Los Angeles Community College District, ELAC is committed to providing affordable, accessible, high- quality education and supporting student success through innovative programs and community partnerships. More information about ELAC is available online at http://www.elac.edu/.