• Continued prioritization of workforce preparedness and career pathways

Community colleges are vital public institutions that contribute to the economic and social health of our community, with a mission to advance California’s economic growth and global competitiveness through education, training and services that contribute to workforce improvement. As a marketing director for a local marketing firm, I’ve seen the direct role our community colleges play in building and supporting local industries and growing/training a local workforce. I'm currently in the process of running recruiting campaigns for local businesses as we speak.  

I’d like to work together as a board to …

• Establish a more coordinated effort with our local labor force — the district has made strides, like through its manufacturing lab at Ventura College and partnership with Haas Automation, but we can be doing more
• Expand upon the connections between our local secondary schools and our community colleges as it relates to shared CTE pathways opportunities for students
• Increase dual enrollment and accessibility to degrees and certifications sooner, in order for students who’d like to pursue the workforce sooner to have the opportunity to do so
• Address student needs — housing and food insecurity continue to impact our students and create barriers to success

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• Increasing enrollment and improving student outcomes

We’ve all been impacted by COVID in different ways, at different levels, and our community colleges were not immune to the never-ending changes and regulations that seemingly rolled out by the day. Students’ living and financial circumstances changed, access to technology was impacted, and the administration of services and supports was greatly challenged. We must continue to prioritize student success through identifying innovative and equitable ways to meet educational goals, and we must continue to work with our district’s faculty, paraprofessionals and staff to chart these courses and consider custom solutions while enabling the district to be nimble and quick to implement change.
 
I’d like to work together as a board to …

• Develop policy that supports students in equity and access to classes and services offered (location, time, pathways)
• Prioritize data tracking and reporting to be inclusive of students from all backgrounds and abilities in order for the district to determine equitable solutions for all students that use the system
• Come together on common course numbering policy to help our students succeed without wasting valuable time and money 
• Evaluate and be aware of successful pilot programs that can be adapted and applied in our colleges to help working students attain degrees
• Examine where we can provide further support to our students facing food and housing insecurity

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• Ensuring fiscal transparency and responsible management of funds

I’d like to work together as a board to be sure our process for examining the budget is transparent and that decisions are appropriately balanced with a student-first mentality. We must take into account short-term and long-term goals, as well as prioritize meeting student needs now to make fiscally responsible decisions that protect the district’s financial stability while supporting student outcomes. I will put in the time to examine our budget against our goals and work with fellow trustees to make fiscally sound decisions that move progress forward, while maintaining appropriate reserves and responsible use of one-time funds.

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• Good Governance

I’d like to work together as a board, transparently, so that our work remains focused on student outcomes and a well-functioning district. I will participate in professional development and take steps necessary to earn trustee certification, attend conferences and webinars, and to stay up to date on legislation and policy that impacts community colleges and student goals.