Dr. Heidi A. Ramirez, an education specialist who directs the Urban Education Collaborative at Temple University, has been named to the Philadelphia School Reform Commission, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell announced Monday.

Ramirez, who has a doctorate in the sociology of education from Stanford, would be the first Latina and the youngest member at age 33 on the five-member commission. It was created in 2001 when the state took over the 172,000-student district, replacing the local school board.

“I believe she is the most qualified member ever appointed to the SRC in terms of educational background,” Rendell said at a press conference.

She would replace James Nevels, who resigned in August. Her appointment would require confirmation by the state Senate.

According to Temple’s Web site, Ramirez's collaborative links the college's education and human-development departments with schools and area districts on school reform.

She said her priority on the commission would be “working with the community to develop the kind of school supports we need to create conditions for real academic success for all students."

Her areas of interest, according to the Web site, include "teaching and learning of high poverty, minority and linguistic minority students."

At a press conference, Rendell said that several people recommended Ramirez, including  Michael Nutter, the Democratic mayoral elect.

“Governor Rendell has made an extraordinary appointment in naming Heidi Ramirez to the School Reform Commission,” Nutter said. “Heidi will bring to the SRC expertise in urban education issues as well as a passion for the power of education that stems from her experience as a child in Head Start.”

Ramirez also has a master's degree in sociology from Stanford and a bachelor's in art education and public policy from Syracuse University. The educator grew up in Amsterdam, N.Y., attending public schools, and is one of eight children. She is the daughter of an Irish German mother and Costa Rican father, and lives in the Center City section of Philadelphia. She said she is not "fluent" in Spanish, but can speak it and understand it - which reporters said she demonstrated at the news conference as she took questions in Spanish from a reporter.