My Interest in Being a Trustee

By Andrew A. Mauro

In August, 2003, the MCC Board of Trustees selected me from a field of 10 candidates to fill the remaining year of a retiring Trustee's term. My efforts over the last year have earned me the endorsements of all of my fellow Trustees, our recently retired college president, and my predecessor Trustee, Jean Moreno. Last year, all of the interested candidates for Trustee were asked to write a letter to the board expressing their interst and qualifications. Below is my letter.

Rodolfo Fernandez, President MiraCosta College Board of Trustees One Barnard Drive Oceanside, CA 92056

Dear Mr. Fernandez,

I would like to be considered a candidate for appointment to the recently vacated seat on the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees. I am a 30-year resident of Encinitas with a strong history of community involvement. Officially, I have retired from active employment, but I am still actively involved in life, pursuing a number of interests.

I have always been impressed with MiraCosta College and its programs. I attended MCC in 1983-84, taking classes in Journalism. During that time I served as sports editor for the campus newspaper, The Chariot, and covered many campus activities for the paper.

I only have a limited knowledge of the inner workings of the college, but I know that MCC has a highly respected program, lovely campuses, excellent faculty, and energized student body. I would like to help the college maintain those high standards and excellent credentials. Higher education faces many issues today. The uncertain state of California's state budget and overall economy poses obvious challenges. These challenges are not only in securing and safeguarding funding for programs and operations, but also in the impact the economy has on the potential student population. Accommodating the need for growth and maintenance of the campus infrastructure requires foresight and planning, especially during these times of economic uncertainty.

I feel I would bring significant personal resources to the board should I be selected as a member. I have been a local resident in Cardiff and Encinitas for over 30 years. I have attended MCC, and was a participant in its campus life. I have been active in the community, taking leadership positions on a number of civic panels and local organizations. I have been a businessman by education and experience. I owned and operated a commercial floriculture business in Encinitas, and served as president of the SD County Flower and Plant Association. I was employed as the Deputy General Manager the 22nd District Agricultural Association, a local state agency popularly known as the Del Mar Fairgrounds. At the fairgrounds one of my primary responsibilities was overseeing the implementation of the master plan for capital improvements, including the new racetrack grandstand facilities.

I am now retired from active employment, and am able to dedicate the time and attention needed to educate myself on the specific issues affecting MCC, and actively participate in the process of addressing these issues. I am by nature a logical and reasoned individual. I take the time to study and understand an issue, and am generally able to find common ground in seeking solutions to problems of competing interests.

I would be pleased to have the opportunity to meet with the board to further discuss my interest and qualifications for this appointment. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Andrew Mauro 808 Capri Road Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-1266 akamauro@aol.com