Political Philosophy for Jeffrey A. Schwartz

Candidate for
Governing Board Member; West Valley/Mission Joint Community College District; Trustee Area 1

Our community colleges are a second chance institution for many Californians, but they are also a first chance institution for many other students. We must keep access to our community colleges as open and easy as possible. Whether a student is working on an AA degree to transfer to a four-year college or whether a student is completing a one-year vocational certificate program, it is in everyone's interests that those opportunities remain accessible, affordable and immediate. When a person has no educational or vocational skills or credentials, society suffers and the person himself or herself is often relegated to a life without hope.

The top priorities for our community colleges are, and should remain, in co-equal measure, transfer education and vocational training. Our community colleges must continue to welcome not only the new high school graduate, but also the 24 year old who never completed high school and the 45 year old "re-entry" individual who wants to complete an education after a many-year hiatus or prepare to rejoin the work force, or both.