Candidate for
Board Member; Ohlone Community College District; Area 2

I have been involved in and interested in public higher education for over four decades. I am a first generation college student in my family, and understand the obstacles that many students face. I began my college experience as a full time student, and worked as a Library Student Assistant at the College of San Mateo in the late 60's.

I believe I can BUILD BRIDGES within the overall academic community here in the Tri-City area on many levels; while being an agent for positive changes on this Board and how it is viewed by our greater community at large.

I believe I can be a VOICE for inclusiveness and respectful and collaborative dialogue to assist this community college district in being recognized more fully within our greater Tri-City geographic area and beyond.

I believe I can be a recognized COMMUNITY PARTNER and leader to foster further growth potential and awareness for the OCCD `product' and services that now exist and/or might be added in the future.

I believe that it is `time for a change' in the membership of the OCCD Board, and that I have the passion, interest, inspiration and vision to present some new ideas that will be a benefit to the overall OCCD experience and our entire community.

I believe that institutions of higher learning need to be safe, caring, healthy, welcoming and nurturing environments within which students can engage, experiment and learn to be who they will be and to become the best that they can be at the various stages of their lifelong learning processes and goals.

This Board needs greater gender and ACADEMIC diversity to more fully align itself with its current and potential student population and their changing interests. I believe I am more closely aligned and `in touch' with what students presently require from their college experience.

All four of my children and my husband have attended Ohlone College in the last fifteen years. Our family is engaged in the Ohlone College experience (three of my children have been OC athletes; and three of them have attained four OC diplomas and moved onto local CSU campuses; two are now CSU grads with multiple degrees, and the remaining two are both still college students -- one in a CSU and one in another CCC). I understand public higher education in this state from the inside out, and can bring a multi-faceted perspective to this Board.

Whether your goal is vocational to work, lower division to university transfer, finding a second or third career, or lifelong educational pursuit of learning in any number of upcoming technologies -- our local community college district is an affordable and convenient link to a more rewarding quality of life and future academic connections.

Let me use my experience, education and background working in the CSU full time for over 40 years; being an Instructor for 6 years; being a parent of college students for the last 15 years; and my community involvement in the Tri-Cities area for over 30 years to support and bring much needed public academic expertise to this particular College Board seat.

Thank you for your consideration and support!