FAQ

By Derrick Mims

Why is Derrick running for the College Board?

Derrick has a heart and passion for community colleges ever since he graduated from Los Angeles Southwest College and then came back as a senior administrator to build up the system and change student lives for the better as his was changed.

What experience and leadership will Derrick bring to the College Board?

From his work with the late Congressman Augustus F. Hawkins, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Assemblymember Warren Furutani to his service on the Los Angeles Workforce Board and his advocacy work at UCLA, Derrick has amassed a strong track record of building partnerships between community colleges and universities, K-12 systems and businesses. His leadership is needed to increase student success.

Are there problems with the current College Board?

Yes. Student success rates are dismal. Recent report shows 7 out of 10 students fail to reach academic goals, and conditions are worse for African American and Latino students. Also, recent low college rankings are embarrassing as they ruin the academic and institutional reputation of the district.

How will Derrick make our community colleges better?

Derrick will push the College Board to develop strategies for student retention and completion; he will provide better oversight of all colleges to rid them of poor institutional rankings from accreditation associations; and he will bring better transparency to the Board to avoid City of Bell type of corruption.