marie lorraine mallare jimenez
When Marie Lorraine Feria Mallare became a Fellow of the Center for the Study of the Presidency (CSP) in 1998, she joined a cohort that experienced the program in a way unlike its structure today. During her Fellowship, Marie Lorraine recalls engaging in formal academic sessions but also in experiences designed to expand Fellows’ perspectives on leadership. One highlight was attending a lecture and briefing at the Brookings Institution, reflecting Dr. Hoxie’s commitment to exposing students to premier policy thought leaders. The program also included a special evening briefing at the White House, visits to the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Smithsonian Institution, as well as private dinners and cocktail socials with Dr. Hoxie’s colleagues. For Marie Lorraine, these four days in Washington, D.C. were transformative, blending political learning with deep historical reflection.
Her Fellowship was unique in another way: she brought along her son, Kyle, who was then in the 4th grade. Wearing his own suit and tie, Kyle accompanied the Fellows on field trips and dinners, engaging in conversations far beyond his years. He impressed the group by answering questions about world capitals, identifying flags from around the globe, and sharing his love of social studies—sharpened by watching PBS’s Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? The highlight of the trip came during the formal dinner where the fellows were recognized. In a gesture that Marie Lorraine treasures, Dr. Hoxie presented Kyle with an “honorary fellow” ribbon, acknowledging his enthusiasm, knowledge, and presence. This moment remains one of her most meaningful memories, capturing the intergenerational spirit of leadership and mentorship that defined Dr. Hoxie’s vision for the Center.
At the time of her Fellowship, Marie Lorraine had recently completed her B.A. in International Relations at San Francisco State University (1996). She later earned her M.A. in International Relations, specializing in National Security Policy and Comparative Foreign Policy of ASEAN nations, and was named a Fulbright-Hays Scholar. Her educational journey continued through law. She completed her J.D. in Litigation and Criminal Law at Golden Gate University School of Law, where she was mentored by the late Jeffrey Gordon Adachi, San Francisco Public Defender. She then earned an LL.M. in International Legal Studies and later the S.J.D. (Doctor of Juridical Science) in International Legal Studies at Harvard Law School, the terminal degree in law.
Marie Lorraine practices criminal and immigration law and has spent over 25 years teaching at institutions including California State University, the University of San Francisco, Stanford, UC Davis, and Sacramento State, where she currently teaches Ethnic Studies. She previously served the City and County of San Francisco in multiple roles, including Special Assistant under three mayors and Media Relations Manager at SFO, and also worked as a reporter and news anchor for KMTP-TV’s Filipino-American Report. Marie Lorraine is deeply active in her community, she emcees major cultural events in San Francisco’s JTOWN and contributes to the Center for Race, Immigration, and Social Justice’s Building Justice podcast. A dedicated mentor, she has guided countless students who now lead in diverse professions and is in her third year serving as a CSPC Mentor for Fellows.
Reflecting on her Fellowship, Marie Lorraine emphasizes its lasting influence: “Being part of Dr. Hoxie’s cohort was a privilege. The program gave me access to Washington’s historic and political spaces, but it also gave me something more personal: the memory of sharing that journey with my son. Watching Kyle be embraced by the fellows and even honored by Dr. Hoxie reminded me that leadership is not just about personal achievement—it’s about inspiring the next generation.” From student to Fellow, scholar to professor, public servant to community leader, and mentor to the next generation, Marie Lorraine Feria Mallare continues to embody the mission of the Center for the Study of the Presidency: preparing leaders who serve with integrity, vision, and a profound sense of responsibility to both community and country.