Board of Trustees Candidate Questionnaire: Response from Dinesh Mali, District 5 Challenger

Question 1. Please provide a brief biography that explains how you believe your educational and professional background will benefit Dallas College. 

Dinesh Mali is a professional engineer with BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering. Founder and CEO of Shanta Engineering consulting company for 40 years. I attended community college before entering to University. It prepares student to university level of high pressure atmosphere.

As engineer we plan, promote, execute and focus for result at finish line.

Question 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?

DCCCD will be in competition with other online universities. I take online classes for continuing education, vast majority of subjects to choose from. This a challenge for us. What will attract students to our campus? How we provide bridge from school to university? School to trade colleges?

Question 3. What is the role of Dallas College 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?

2021 we are in new era. We have to change our business model to new time where student learning will be distance learning, online learning. Stay home study will be challenge for student to be self discipline and control of environment to achieve education. DCCCD will be in competition with other online universities. I take online classes for continuing education, vast majority of subjects to choose from. This a challenge for us. What will attract students to our campus? How we provide bridge from school to university? School to trade colleges?

Question 4. If elected, how will you advocate for Dallas College students, employees, and colleges, in your dealings with business, the community, other public servants, and voters? 

I was elected Irving ISD 2015-17. I have good deal of experience to promote students, schools, faculties etc. Difference will be now we will promote more mature students. This new audience will be easier to manage and student has need that has to be filled.

Question 5. How would you propose to make Dallas College the premier employer for prospective faculty and staff, in order to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the community we serve?

Present situation is totally different and we need to find our target, revive old goal to our new goal. DCCCD is huge organization and one cannot walk in change everything. It has to be slow and keep what works and replace with new time and situation.