Statement of Qualifications

By Mary L. Edwards

My name is Mary L. Edwards. I am a candidate for the Compton Community College District Trustee Area 1. I have lived in the city of Compton since l963. I was educated in the Compton Unified School District, attended Compton Community College and the University of California at Los Angeles.

My involvement on various Boards and Councils, along with community service organizations have taught me Roberts Rules of Order, the Brown Act and the necessary professionalism to be a positive contributor and productive decision maker. My experience also provided me with the insight on how to be an effective member of a governance body, the protocols to sharing diverse ideas and the methods to disagree agreeably with fellow board members. I know how to respect staff and management team responsible for the implementation of organizational policy and to respect their professional opinion.

I bring integrity, strong leadership and professionalism to the Board. My experience in the private, public and political sector has given me a broad understanding of organizations and their social responsibility. (Rockwell International 25 years, The Potter's House Restoration Program, a non-Profit 12 years, and Political Sector 7 years).

I served as the first and second Vice- President of the Compton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for seven years, President of the Board of Directors for the Compton Community Development Coalition for four years, Member of the District Advisory Council for Compton Unified School District for three years, Taught Personal Development Training for Potter's House Restoration Program, a non-profit for five years at (Compton, Centennial, Dominguez, Long Beach Jordan, Hope Academy and Tower of Faith Community Development Corporation), Member of the Women's Advisory Council for the 37th Congressional District for five years, Field Representative for the late Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald of the 37th Congressional District for two years, Member of Concerned Citizens of Compton for 6 years and a member of the Advisory Council for Compton Community College District for one year.

I feel the role of a Trustee is to govern through the creation and implementation of institutional policy. To represent the will and educational interest of the students and community. I am familiar with the demographics the college serves and will vote for issues that are in the best interest of the students, community and the institution as a community service organization.

I believe that students comes first. When we educate students, we impact our communities.

My primary focus is in three areas:

1. Increase Student Capacity + To build and sustain student population thus maintaining the college.

2. Restore Creditability + To restore local control to the Compton Community College District by building a governing team with integrity, professionalism, and strong leadership, focusing on the best interest of the students and the college as a whole.

3. Regain Accreditation - To regain full accreditation to the Compton Community College District.

I hope to participate with a governance team committed to help Compton Community College District restore its governance authority and regain its accreditation status, to help sustain and maintain academic and fiscal integrity so that we can continue to provide quality education to our students.