Candidate for
Member of the Board of Trustees; Los Angeles Community College District; Office 5

In addition to serving on the LACCD Board, I serve on the California Community College Trustee Board (CCCT) and the State Chancellor's Strategic Planning Committee. These involvements enable me to influence the long-term planning which is needed to improve students' access to educational opportunities and enhance their success throughout California's 72 community college districts.

WHAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN MY CURRENT FOUR YEAR TERM:

• Leading the necessary reforms that have helped the District achieve a solid financial position. The district is probably in the best fiscal position ever.

• It took foresight and determination to push for a second bond measure in 2003. After passage of the 2001 Bond Measure, the District was able to complete the Master Plans for all of our 9 campuses and quickly discovered that additional funds would be absolutely necessary to even begin to achieve our building and modernization needs. We knew another Bond Initiative would be necessary and we first needed to convince the District and community leaders to move forward within just a few months of winning the 2001 Bond Measure campaign.

• I was a major force in helping create the board policy to implement the largest public sector sustainable (green) building program in the nation with our 2 bond measures.

• One of our key responsibilities is to hire the chancellor and college presidents. Over the last few years, the Board has been able to hire several extremely capable College Presidents and an excellent Chancellor. Unfortunately, Chancellor Rocky Young will be leaving the district and we are faced with the critical task of finding someone just as outstanding.

• The open enrollment policy of all community colleges in California results in the need to serve all types of students with all types of needs. The majority of our students come to us woefully unprepared for college level work and are not sure of their educational goals. We must enhance our counseling and mentoring programs in order to improve the ability of our students to complete a certificate or degree program.

• We need to improve our career and technical training opportunities. The district provides training for healthcare providers including nurses and medical technicians. We also provide continuing-training programs for public safety workers including firefighters, police, EMTs, etc. These are all jobs that enhance the quality of life for all of us. These are also good-paying jobs that allow for career growth.

• Finally I will be ever vigilant in overseeing the spending of the taxpayers Bond money on our renovations and new buildings.

MY BACKGROUND:

As a resident and community activist in Los Angeles for over 35 years, I have worked on a variety of issues from reducing juvenile crime to protecting reproductive rights. I have a diverse background of knowledge that gives me the experience to help strengthen and improve our community colleges.

I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Education at California State University, Los Angeles and completed the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management Executive Program. For seven years I served as the Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood/Los Angeles. I am a member of the Foundation Board at California State University, Northridge and serve on the Board of the following organizations: Valley Trauma Center and the Women's Political Committee. My previous community involvements include: Founding President of the New Reform Congregation, Board of Directors and Foundation President of Valley Presbyterian Hospital, President of the Juvenile Justice Connection Project, President of Project HEAVY, Coordinator of Women For:, President of the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission, Member of the California Task Force on Civil Rights, and Member of the State Advisory Committee on School Finance Equalization.

I hope to earn your support and vote in the March 6th, primary election.