James “Jaime” A. Regalado, professor emeritus of political science and longtime executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs (PBI), passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025, at the age of 80.
Regalado’s extraordinary life was grounded in a deep commitment to education, public service, and social justice. Born on April 2, 1945, in Boyle Heights, he devoted more than five decades to bridging scholarship and civic engagement.
At Cal State LA, Regalado led PBI from 1991 to 2011 and helped transform it into a statewide leader in nonpartisan policy research, community empowerment, and public dialogue. His efforts to reduce gang violence and foster hope among youth had a tangible, lasting impact across California.
“Dr. Regalado provided critical leadership and put PBI on the map,” said Sascha Brown Rice, Governor Pat Brown’s granddaughter and former interim executive director of PBI. “In addition to being an astute academic and tireless champion for the institute, he was a friend. Jaime will be missed.”
Kathleen Brown, Gov. Brown’s daughter and former state treasurer, said: “My father had great admiration for Dr. Regalado. The Brown family is truly grateful for his dedication and stewardship.”
Regalado served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, earned his B.A. and M.A. from Cal State LA—an institution that would become the foundation of his professional legacy—and his Ph.D. in political science from UC Riverside.
From his father, Ray Regalado, a civic-minded educator and World War II veteran, James learned the importance of education, integrity, and service to community—values he shared closely with his sister Olivia. Those lessons would shape his career, his parenting, and his steadfast dedication to uplifting others through learning and civic participation.
Regalado will be remembered not only for his intellect and public leadership, but also for his warmth, humility, and mischievous sense of humor.
Regalado’s scholarly journey included formative travels to Mexico City, where he conducted research for his dissertation—an experience that deepened his understanding of politics and culture and reaffirmed his pride in his Mexican heritage.
As a father, he passed on his love of learning and global curiosity through family travels to Europe in honor of his own father’s dream to visit England, France, Spain, and Italy—a journey his father never took but Regalado fulfilled in his memory. Later in life, he traveled to Scotland and the Netherlands to explore his maternal ancestry, seeking the stories and landscapes that helped shape his family’s roots.
A natural storyteller, Regalado brought his early life in Boyle Heights to vivid life through colorful tales of his Mexican grandparents, his tight-knit neighborhood, and the many antics he and his brother Ray got into as boys. His stories—always rich with humor and heart—reminded those around him of the strength, resilience, and joy that came from growing up in a vibrant multicultural community.
Regalado, an insatiable reader, began each day with his favorite newspapers—the Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and Le Monde. For leisure, he was typically reading two or three books at once, selecting titles to suit his mood. His literary tastes ranged from the classics—Dumas, Steinbeck, and Dickens—to contemporary storytellers like Harlan Coben, Tana French, Haruki Murakami, and Isabel Allende.
He taught at Cal State LA, Cal Poly Pomona, and Occidental College and was a highly sought-after political analyst, regularly offering commentary on California politics, elections, race relations, and urban issues. He was the founding editor of California Politics & Policy and California Policy Issues Annual and served as associate editor of Urban Affairs Review. His scholarship and voice shaped conversations across Los Angeles and beyond.
Regalado will be remembered not only for his intellect and public leadership, but also for his warmth, humility, and mischievous sense of humor. He adored his family, especially Sunday gatherings filled with food, conversation, and laughter. He was deeply involved in the lives of his grandchildren and shared a lifelong closeness with his siblings. Always quick with a joke and sharp with a one-liner, Regalado brought both gravity and joy to any room he entered.
His legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the student leaders he mentored, and the community he so passionately served. Regalado’s life was a testament to the power of education, the value of civic responsibility, and the enduring impact of human connection.
Regalado is survived by Rocio, his wife of 26 years; sons James Jr., Jay, and Camilo; eight grandchildren; brother Ray; and sister Olivia.
The following is excerpted and edited from the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs newsletter.