Why Am I Running?

By Jess H. Reyes

I am running because I want to make Commmnuity Colleges become an integral part of the educational system in the State. I will expand the number of vocational job training programs in accordance with current and future modern advancement in industry, commerce, and technology. I will also improve the quality of lower division degree oriented curriculum to ensure transfer of credits to a four year institution leading to a Bachelor degree or higher professional degree.

• To increase the number of course offerings and educational programs available so that students may choose from among vocational programs providing valuable job training, and academic degree oriented programs designed to prepare the student for advance study at a four year college or university.
• To require our community colleges to offer state of the art training programs in computer and internet related technologies.
• Better align academic curriculum and standards with State Colleges and Universities to ensure the transfer of earned credits, and to better prepare students for new academic challenges.
• Improve assistance programs, including the availability of remedial courses, alternative class schedules for working students by offering more courses in the evening and saturday classes,increase number of scholarships,counseling, and other related services.
• Provide a positive learning experience so students will be encouraged to continue on to higher academic achievements.
• Make available our community colleges as centers of diverse student cultural activities, thereby promoting ethnic and civic pride.
• Encourage our community colleges and high schools to develop and implement integrated curriculum in Math, Science, and Technology.
• Aggressively seek and secure funds for repair and rehabilitation of aging infractures and buildings.
• Continue to respect the rights of teachers and to support teacher salaries commensurate with their status in a challenging professional arena.
• Foster an inclusive, student friendly environment so they will be encouraged to finish their goals.
• Initiate and implement whatever is necessary to ensure students success in their educational experience within the district.