Candidate for
Trustee; Peralta Community College District; Area 5

Since Dr. Bill Riley has been a trustee, the District has made solid progress in a range of areas critical to the mission and the future of the District.

His accomplishments demonstrate that through strong leadership and an expanding sense of collaborative teamwork, the District can insure that Peralta's future continues to be bright.

Peralta has greatly expanded access to community college educaton and continually upgraded the quality of instruction for all students across the board. Through Board direction on outreach efforts, marketing and providing better student services, plus a broad range of classes, the Peralta Colleges are experiencing a great deal of success.

I co-chaired the Measure A Committee. The $390 million Bond Measure (Measure A) passed by an overwhelming majority of votes. The resulting over $390 million bond has enabled Peralta to improve educational facilities, infrastructure and classrooms at Berkeley City, Alameda, Laney and Merritt.

During my tenure as a Peralta Trustee, relationships with four-year colleges and universities has been enhanced. One of the primary missions of community colleges is to prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Peralta has kept its goals and objectives to partner with colleges and universities locally, within the state, and across the country. Peralta students can choose to transfer to any of the California State Universities, the University of California institutions, and independent and private universities both state-wide and out-of-state.

During my tenure as a trustee at Peralta, community partnerships have expanded and improved. The Peralta Colleges have partnered with literally hundreds of organizations in our community, fostering growth within the cities and communities we serve. Peralta I know and understand as a trustee that by partnering with others, we promote and create a climate of access and success. A wealth of community organizations is critical to creating a successful support system, some examples of organizations that Peralta has partnered with include: the MLK Freedom Center, Alameda County, the Alameda County Small Business Development Center, PG&E and other utility companies, AC Transit, local public and private high and middle schools, the six cities of our service areas, faith-based organizations and a myriad of other community based organizations.

During my tenure as Board President, Peralta was one of the first public institutions in the state to fund the ever-growing cost of providing health care coverage, developed a plan to make sure Peralta retirees can be assured that their medical benefits are in place.

During my tenure I have encouraged and supported both: 1) increased grants and funding coming to the Peralta Colleges and 2) expansion of Peralta's Career and Technical Education Opportunities.

As a member of the Peralta Foundation, I established an annual Golf Tournament which has raised over $700,000 over the past years for scholarships, supplies and equipment for students and staff.

My priorities as a Peralta Trustee continue to be:

(1) Balance all budgets while maintaining the quality of services, programs and curriculum for students, faculty and staff.

(2) Maintain quality health benefits for staff and faculty as the cost continues to rise.

(3) Ensure the efficient use, reporting and monitoring of all expenditures of the district, especially the construction/measure A bonds for improvements on the campuses.

(4) Maintain a high quality of faculty, staff and administrators.

(5) Work to expand local, state and federal funding sources, as well as private foundations and businesses.