I met Gary K. Hart on a sweltering Sacramento summer day two blocks from the Capitol building. His tall 6’3” frame and serious demeanor made him instantly stand out as a person of importance. As I approached him, I watched several individuals stop to shake his hand and greet him, “Good to see you, Senator Hart.”
I had just returned to my hometown, tasked with leading the Campaign for College Opportunity’s ambitious statewide policy work. I was in my late twenties and VERY green, a first-generation college graduate from a low-income background without a political network. The Campaign’s co-founders, Steve Weiner and David Wolf, in their infinite wisdom, knew that I would need reinforcement and recruited the former Secretary of Education and State Senator, Gary K. Hart, to our Board of Directors.
Steve and David knew that Gary’s remarkable leadership over the course of two decades in the California Legislature and eleven years as Chair of the Senate Education Committee had earned him respect and admiration in Sacramento and beyond. Besides which, the Campaign was at a pivotal moment: expanding its mission of ensuring college opportunity for all Californians to also focus on student success and racial/ethnic equity. This audacious work would require a board member with the intelligence, stature, and credibility to move that agenda. In agreeing to be that board member and providing his wisdom and strategic counsel, Gary effectively built the foundation for the Campaign to be impactful in the higher education policy advocacy space.
Little did I know that our first critical meeting on the streets of Sacramento would mark the beginning of a mentorship and friendship that would span 13 years.
In my experience, the best mentors will push and challenge you—often seeing the potential that may be unseen to you. They are always striving to make you better, so while they may be your biggest supporters, they are also constructive critics of your work, pushing you to do more and do better. An educator to the core, Gary generously gave his time and consistently offered his thoughtful feedback. He attended every Campaign event and board meeting—pen in hand—sharing lengthy notes and reflections with our team long after the meetings had ended. This included redlining and correcting grammar mistakes, and, more importantly, identifying the central focus of the strategy needed to win a particular campaign. Gary compelled us to have the courage to introduce bold policies. When opposition was fierce, he reminded us that, “Nothing worth doing is without opposition.”
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Executive Vice President Jessie Ryan, Gary K. Hart, and President Michele Siqueiros at the opening of our Sacramento Office |
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There is no doubt that without Gary there would be no historic transfer reform or influencing of billions of dollars in higher education expenditures by the Campaign. He was with us before the office plaque in Sacramento was ever hung. Gary taught me how to read the political winds, mingle with policymakers and institution heads, negotiate without compromising substance, find commonality across party lines, and cultivate a reputation as an honest broker. He also made sure that our team was regularly visiting college and university campuses, identifying best practices and scaling them for the benefit of students across the state. Along the way, he encouraged me to run for elected office and supported me from the beginning of that difficult journey. When my mother passed away a few years ago from cancer, to my amazement, he told me to think of him as family, and that is exactly what he became. A role model and mentor to so many, Gary always found time to inspire and grow California’s future leaders. He guest lectured government classes, led insightful Capitol tours for youth, was passionate about civic engagement for students, and was proud he was able to take students to see the Broadway hit Hamilton when it arrived on the West Coast. His character and commitment set the gold standard—his vision and leadership shaping so many progressive environmental, gender equity, and education policies.
Last week, Gary lost his two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Though Michele, Audrey, and the entire team at the Campaign is heartbroken, he will never be forgotten. His footprint is indelibly etched in the fabric of California politics and his memory and lessons live on in the heartbeats of a cadre of young people achieving their college dreams. A colleague once said, "Any friend of Gary Hart's is a fortunate person indeed." It was a true blessing to be a part of his orbit. Thank you, Cary, for sharing him so generously with us all.
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Jessie Ryan
Executive Vice President
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Gary is survived by his wife, Cary Hart, and their three daughters.
Contributions in memory of Gary Hart can be made to the SCOE Resiliency Scholarship Program and sent to: the Sacramento County Office of Education/Resiliency Scholarship Program; PO Box 269003, Sacramento, CA 95826.
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Gary celebrating our 10th Anniversary with us in Sacramento |
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Gary, former Senate Pro Tem Leader and current Mayor of Sacramento, Darrell Steinberg, and Jessie at our 10th Anniversary event
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