Maria L. Cervantes is a proud 1986 graduate of Bel Air High School, where she was a member of the band and played the flute, piccolo, and oboe. In 1990, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, double-majoring in Political Science and Spanish.
Her federal career began with the U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service, later becoming a charter member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In 2003, Maria joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation, serving in Houston and El Paso. She has worked in counterintelligence and pioneered roles as the first aerial optical sensor operator, inventory administrative specialist, and mission support analyst. She also serves as co-coordinator of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Beyond her professional career, Maria is a vibrant force in the El Paso community. She volunteers with Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and supports veterans, LGBTQIA+ initiatives, the African-American community, and ability-focused nonprofits. With her husband, Ambrocio Baldonado, she co-founded the Tohui Foundation, which awards four scholarships to graduating Bel Air High School seniors. As a proud Ysleta ISD parent, Maria continues to invest in the next generation, carrying forward the legacy of her mother, Rosa Victoria Cervantes, who taught her that a meaningful life is built through service and compassion.