Candidate for
Board Member; San Francisco Community College District

I am running for the Community College Board because, in addition to having a passion for education policy work, I have the experience, expertise and ability to bring people together that will enable me to get the job done. The Community College Board of Trustees has unfortunately been very divided during the past few years. I am proud to have endorsements from both sides of that divide. I have met with all of the Community College Board Trustees and am honored to have the endorsements of Trustees Natalie Berg, Julio Ramos, John Rizzo, Rodel Rodis and Lawrence Wong as well as the endorsement of the Student Trustee, Diana Munoz-Villanueva. I believe I am uniquely poised to be both a uniter and a reformer, to be able to build coalitions and be effective in moving things forward. I will work to unify where possible and where disagreements are unavoidable, I will work to ensure an open, inclusive governing process in order to build and maintain trust among my colleagues and the public. The experience and expertise I bring include:

• As a first generation professional from a working-class family, I understand the importance of access to education. I was the beneficiary of Harvard University's needs-blind admissions policy that resulted in my ability to attend college virtually for free. Neither of my parents went much beyond middle school. Access to education changed my life and has always been my inspiration for public service in the education arena. It drove my decision to run for election to the San Francisco School Board in 1996 and 2000 and to devote my career to education law and advocacy. I will work to ensure an open door for every student with the help they need to succeed.

• As a former School Board member, I understand the role of a Trustee. I know the value and importance of open and participatory government. I know how to hold administration accountable for results and responsiveness to the community and ensure taxpayer dollars are well-spent.

• As an education attorney, I understand the issues and responsibilities facing college districts and their boards of trustees. I am a founding partner of the largest Latino-owned law firm in California and head up our firm's Education Practice Group. I have extensive experience with issues relating to general education policy, board governance, open meeting laws, accountability systems and legislative advocacy.

• As a Latina, I will bring diversity of perspective to the Board to help address the critical achievement gap for minority students. After Julio Ramos' term ends in December, there will be no continuing Latino representation on the Board of Trustees if a Latino is not elected this year.

• As a mother of middle and high school students, I understand the urgency of strengthening the College. I brought a mother's perspective to the School Board in 1996 and 2000 and I will bring that perspective to the College Board. My focus and priority is on students.