Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Scope and Contents note
Processing Information note
Preferred Citation note
Biographical/Historical note
Accruals note
Conditions Governing Use note
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Conditions Governing Access note
Title: Joe Serna, Jr. papers
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 2004/19
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Special Collections & University Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
108.0 Linear feet
(57 record cartons and 51 manuscript boxes)
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1992-1999
Date (inclusive): 1939-1999
Abstract: The collection contains papers, correspondence, and teaching aids pertaining to the educational and professional life of Joe
Serna, Jr., college professor and mayor of Sacramento, California.
Language of Materials note: Collection materials for Joe Serna, Jr. are in English and Spanish.
creator:
Serna, Joe, Jr.
creator:
United Farm Workers of America.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The Joe Serna, Jr. papers were donated to the CSUS Special Collections and University Archives by Phillip Serna in 2004.
Scope and Contents note
The following collection includes personal papers, photographs, artifacts, audiovisuals, textiles, books, posters, ephemera,
and memorabilia collected by Joe Serna, Jr. during his lifetime as a professor and mayor. Originally 109 boxes, the content
has since been weeded and organized to best reflect the scholarly and professional work of Joe Serna, Jr.
There are eighteen main series pertaining to the Joe Serna, Jr. papers consisting of Biographical; Cesar Chavez and the Unified
Farm Workers; California State University, Sacramento; Campaign and Election Materials; Boards and Commission Files; Mayor's
Commission on Education; Correspondence; Personal Name Files; Subject and Issue Files; Cultural and Ethnic Groups Files; Calendar,
Appointment, and Phone Logs; General Clerical and Office Financial Files; City Code and City Charter; Plaques, Memorabilia,
and Ephemera; Photographs; Framed Items and Posters; and Banners and Flags.
In particular, this collection derives from Serna's office which focus heavily on his political years.
Processing Information note
Processed by Ruth Craft, California State University, Sacramento - History Student. Supervised by Sheila O'Neill, Head of
Special Collections and University Archives.
Preferred Citation note
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2004/19, Joe Serna, Jr. papers, Department of Special Collections
and University Archives, Library, California State University, Sacramento.
Biographical/Historical note
Joe Serna, Jr. was born on September 3, 1939 in Stockton, California. He was raised in the small community of Acampo near
Lodi, California and graduated from Lodi High School in 1958. He worked for two years at Helilite Sheet Metal Company before
entering college. He attended Stockton College and then Sacramento City College where he received his A.A. degree. He then
attended Sacramento State College and graduated in 1966 with a degree in Social Science / Government. He and his first wife
Evelyn then entered the Peace Corps and served in Guatemala.
Upon returning to California, Serna began graduate school at the University of California, Davis. Serna completed an internship
with Senator Mervyn Dymally during his graduate studies. After his return from Guatemala, Serna became increasingly active
in local politics and with Cesar Chavez and the farm worker movement in California. In 1969, Serna began work as a part-time
instructor at Sacramento State in the Government and Ethnic Studies Departments. Serna went on to become a professor and taught
at Sacramento State for thirty years, except for a leave of absence from 1975 to 1977 when he worked for Lieutenant Governor
Mervyn Dymally as his education advisor.
Serna married his second wife, Isabel Hernandez, in 1981. Serna was elected to the Sacramento City Council in 1982 and was
elected as Mayor of Sacramento in 1992. During his tenure, Serna addressed such issues as the need to improve the city school
system and to revitalize the downtown area. Increasingly, he focused on economic development of the city and the region and
worked to bring business to the area. In 1997, Serna was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Board of the Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation. Serna died on November 7, 1999 of cancer.
Accruals note
No additions are expected.
Conditions Governing Use note
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, The Library,
California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the
copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The Joe Serna, Jr. papers were given to the CSUS Special Collections and Faculty Archives by his son, Phil Serna, in 2004.
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Serna, Joe, Jr.
Serna, Phillip
United Farm Workers of America.
California--Politics and government.
Education
Mayors -- California -- Sacramento
Schools
United States--Politics and government.