Candidate for
Board Member; San Mateo County Community College District

1. Navigate the Fiscal Crisis

California's serious budget shortfalls have negatively impacted our community college system. The State caps the reimbursement rate for our colleges despite enrollment increases. With significant tuition hikes in the U.C. and CalState systems, more working class students and their families are turning to their community colleges for affordable continuing education. Our community colleges have become the only option for a large percentage of residents who desire access to better jobs and an improved quality of life for themselves, their families, and the community.

As a Trustee, I will be a strong voice on matters important to the community college system. I will use my influence, abilities and networks to increase funding to our learning institutions. The budget-makers and public leaders must recognize that community colleges are vital to a stronger economy in our community and our State. I will be the voice that sends that message.

2. Do More with Less

We need immediate solutions that will stretch the dollars that we have. Innovative thinking must be employed to ensure we continue to provide quality education and student support in ways that enable our residents to have a successful learning experience. I will work to accomplish this while maintaining strict cost controls.

I will look for approaches that leverage our faculty time in ways that serve more students while maintaining a high quality of education. At the esteemed Massachusetts of Technology (MIT), one lecture is digitally recorded for students to view online, reserving class time for answering questions and moving subject matters forward. At the University of Arizona, one instructor can teach three classes simultaneously through conferencing technology that presents class materials as efficiently as if all students were sitting in front of the instructor.

Other ideas include the use of existing technologies, such as E-mail and web-based help desks, to improve student access to information. Fielding common questions this way can help free up counselors to help those in the greatest need and allow faculty to focus on teaching.

3. Build on Success

We must build on the success of our institutions and our students. I advocate taking the top three curriculums and investing in them to allow us to discover and grow their strengths. We can apply that knowledge across the three campuses of the San Mateo County College District to gain efficiency.

By offering shorter certificate programs that add up to a degree, working adults can feel the excitement of progress. This will reinforce their academic success. Taking this career ladder approach to training helps our residents see near-term results for the personal sacrifices they are making to attend school.

The answers to the complex problems our higher education system faces are there. As a Trustee, I will provide the work and leadership to find them and put them to use for our community colleges and the San Mateo County.