Candidate for
Board Member; Foothill-De Anza Community College District

Dear Friend, I am running for election to the Foothill-De Anza Community College Board of Trustees on November 8. I need your help in this tough race to get my message out to the voters.

I care deeply about our students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. They have enormous potential, talent and drive, but they need educational resources to realize their dreams. Our outstanding community colleges have served more than a million students. However, many renowned programs and our state-of-the-art curricula are in jeopardy because of the state's ever-shrinking educational budget. In the face of an uncertain financial future, our colleges need trustees who possess exceptional management, educational and business expertise. I have those credentials.

My entire professional career has been devoted to the mission and purpose of the community colleges. As a former professor and dean, I understand firsthand how important affordable higher education is to students of all ages. Our community colleges make it possible for undergraduates to achieve their educational goals, which may include transferring to four-year universities or acquiring job skills to start new careers. In addition, because I served as vice president of finance at Foothill College, I know the challenge of balancing tight budgets, though not at the expense of our students.

If elected, I will use my experience as an educator to hire and retain high-quality faculty and staff; and I will fight to preserve our outstanding programs. Through prudent management of our resources, I will improve long-range financial planning, reduce escalating costs, and manage student enrollment to increase revenue.

I would sincerely appreciate your vote on November 8.

Warm regards,

Bruce Swenson