Candidate for
Trustee; Coast Community College District; Trustee Area 4

I believe the role of a Trustee of Coast Community College District is to support faculty, staff, students, and administration while preserving fiscal responsibility.

Good communication with faculty and students is especially helpful for a Trustee because they experience daily the learning environment in the colleges. I've enjoyed Coast Community Colleges in the last ten years as both student and faculty member, so I am sensitive to the concerns of both groups. The tuition increase from $11 per unit to $26 per unit in two years is a hardship for some students. I will work to provide financial aid for students who need it. Some students are not well prepared in basic skills when they enter college and would benefit from tutoring. Additional sections of core courses would better accommodate students going on to four-year colleges. If we had more full-time faculty, we could offer additional sections and have faculty on campus to set up tutoring programs.

A Trustee needs a business and financial background to oversee the distribution of educational funds. I have been an estate trustee and am now Vice President of a small business. If elected, I will work with the other Trustees on the Board to allocate scarce funds wisely. My priorities will always be on student classroom education, rather than 25% raises for top administrators (already making over $100,000) or more amenities for the football team.

I received my Ph.D. from U.C.-Irvine in Social Sciences with a concentration in Anthropology. Therefore, I appreciate diverse cultures including the diverse cultures of the students who attend our colleges in the Coast District. I've studied beliefs and customs in Greece, Germany, Montenegro/Serbia, Brazil and the Philippines. These places were fascinating, but always I returned home elated to realize how lucky I am to have the rights, privileges and opportunities of an American woman! We live in a global world and a global economy now. We can support our students and Orange County international businesses by expanding programs that highlight cultural understanding, comparative religion, and international studies. Our vocational training and computer labs also need support. As the global job market shifts, many adults are finding it necessary to retrain for another type of work.

I always wanted to be a mother and a student when I grew up. So I've raised three wonderful children (two grandchildren), and finished my Ph.D. at age 50. It is time now to use my experience and education to be of service to the community by becoming a Trustee for Coast Community College District (Area 4).

Please vote for me Nov. 2nd. Thank you.