Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Hartnell Community College District; Trustee Area 1

Manuel Osorio is a proud graduate of the community college system, and spent the greater part of his career working in a local community college. In his 34 years at Cabrillo College, he served as the Financial Aid Director and Counselor, Assistant Dean of Student Services and finally, Vice President/Assistant Superintendent of Student Services. In 2010 Bakersfield College recruited him to serve as Interim Vice President of the college while they were conducting their search for a permanent Vice President. He also served as President of the California Community Colleges Student Services Association where he participated on the Chancellor's Office Consultation Board and was a member of several accreditation teams for the California Community Colleges. His extensive experience in the community college system, has given Manuel a deep understanding of the needs of the students, the employees and the community.

Manuel came from a family of farm workers with limited income, a lack of academic experience, and few job expectations. After graduating from high school, he served in the Air Force and returned home after being stationed in Vietnam. He was offered an opportunity to pursue further education at Cabrillo College where he was able to access financial aid and student support services that gave him the opportunity to not only succeed at the community college level but to advance to a university. He received his A.A. at Cabrillo College, B.A. at UCSC and M.A. at San Jose State University. As the first (and only) to attend college in his family, each graduation was a proud and significant moment. After completing his degrees, he came back to work at the community college that had given him that first opportunity.

Public service has always been one of Manuel's core philosophies. He have served on numerous boards including; United Way, Cultural Council, La Coalicion, YMCA, Rotary Club and LULAC. He has also served on the Cabrillo College Foundation Board of Directors for five years and currently serves on the Sunrise House Board of Directors. Manuel was a Trustee for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District for 11 years and a Trustee of the North Monterey County Unified School District Board for 4 years. Today he supports the NMCUSD on the Bond Oversight Committee and Budget Advisory Committee.

Manuel has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Cabrillo Faculty Senate Award, the Outstanding Young Men of America Award, the Women's Crisis Support - Defensa de Mujeres and the Santa Cruz NAACP Humanitarian Award. Upon retirement he received proclamations and resolutions from the California State Senate and Assembly, the County and City of Santa Cruz, and the City of Watsonville for his exemplary record of accomplishments in the field of education. He lives in Prunedale with his wife Susan, is the proud father of 3 children and has 7 beautiful grandchildren.