1. Please provide a brief biography
that explains your educational and professional background.
My educational
background consists of an Associates degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master in
Public Affairs and Juris Doctorate (law degree). I have several years of
experience in human resource management, loss management, budgeting, auditing,
and public relations. Additionally, I have served as executive director of a
very important non-profit corporation. I lead by example and strive to raise
public consciousness. I have never been afraid to take risks or to stand firm
on principle.
2. What is the role of the elected
Board of Trustees from your perspective? How does that role relate to your
individual input as an elected trustee? How would you describe the
efforts that will be necessary to be effective in your role – and what has
prepared you to be successful in that role?
The role of the Board of
Trustees is to provide checks and balances to the role of the chancellor and to
be an advocate for the students. It is my desire to serve which has lead me to
the privilege of running for this very important position. I realize that
Trustees have an opportunity to effect change in the lives of Dallas County
residents. I am highly driven and strive for excellence in every situation put
before me. I was fortunate to be able to use my benefits as a veteran to
achieve the American dream. I would like for everyone else to have the same
opportunities.
3. What is the role of the DCCCD in
the educational marketplace in Dallas County? What is your agenda to continue
to improve the quality and availability of educational programs to the citizens
of Dallas County?
The role of DCCCD is to
provide the workforce with skilled workers and also to prepare students who
intend to pursue 4-year degrees. In terms of improving quality, I would start
by eliminating remedial courses which are costly bridges to nowhere. I support
an open-admissions policy which would allow everyone in the community to attend
college. Secondly, I would tailor academic programs to meet the needs of the
job market. STEM (science, technology, engineer and math) programs would be
made a priority to prepare students for the workforce. I would provide tutors
and other resources necessary to prepare students for success.
4. If elected, how will you advocate
for DCCCD students, employees, and colleges, in your dealings with business,
the community, other public servants, and voters?
The interesting thing
about this question is that in order to be a great leader, one must first be a
great follower. The second thing voters need to know about me is that I am not
running to be a leader. I am running to be a public servant. As an honorably
discharged veteran of the United States Army, public service comes natural to
me. While serving, I took college courses at night and received my associates
degree in a relatively short amount of time. I ultimately was promoted to
Sergeant and lead many soldiers to take advantage of their opportunity to
pursue higher education.
If elected, the first
thing I would do is survey the local businesses to determine the skills they
seek. Then, I would ensure that DCCCD is arming students with the type of
skills that they need to jump into the workforce. My goal would be to set a
standard that at least 75% of graduates are employed immediately upon
graduation and that they actually work in their field of study.
5. What do you see as the biggest
assets, challenges, and opportunities, in the DCCCD? How will you strengthen
those assets to meet the challenges and opportunities we face? What particular
skills and connections do you bring that can benefit the Board as a whole, and
by extension the DCCCD?
The greatest asset DCCCD
has are its students. DCCCD needs to do everything within its capacity to
attract as many members of the community as possible. As previously stated, I
support an open admissions policy. The board's greatest priority (at least
pedagogically) seems to be focused on getting students to graduate. Clearly,
there is a shortfall in this area. I'm sure that the board is working hard to
resolve this issue. However, the board doesn't seem to be listening to what the
students actually want. They are not offering the types of academic programs
which would attract students and reduce the student attrition rate.
Studies show that
students are more likely to graduate when they are involved in extracurricular
activities. I would increase funding in this area. I would fight to keep
tuition low and reduce the cost of textbooks. I would also seek an increase in
scholarships.
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