Note: The DCCFA Political Information Committee sent questionnaires to both candidates for the District 7 seat on the DCCCD Board of Trustees. What follows are the answers from incumbent Charletta Compton. Answers from challenger Micheal Jackson will be published when they are received.
1. Please provide a brief biography that explains your educational and professional background. Ms. Charletta Compton, a life-long Dallasite, has two daughters and three granddaughters. She holds a BBA from Dallas Baptist University and is a Certified Contract Compliance Administrator. She is the owner of a small consulting business Rogers & Associates Creative Productions specializing in community and public affairs, and disadvantaged business development. She has been a resident of the Kimball Estates neighborhood for 31 years.
Ms. Compton was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Dallas County Community College District in 2000 representing District 7 that covers southwest through southeast Dallas County. She is currently serving her third term. She is currently Chairman of the board. She is also a member of the Association of Community College Trustees located in Washington, D.C. She was previously employed by Dallas County Adult Basic Education teaching GED and ESL classes. . Ms. Compton has extensive experience working with small, minority and woman owned businesses. She worked for the Dallas County Community College District eight (8) years to managing their Diversity Business Program and was responsible for guiding the college district through a $75 million bond program with total minority participation of over 40 percent. She also worked for the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce for a number of years and headed their Convention and Tourism Department.
She recently received the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 Excellence in Education Award. She is a past board member of the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency and served two terms as chairman. She is a past president of the Dallas County Heritage Society Board of Directors and in 1996 received their prestigious "Heritage Award". Ms. Compton was selected as one of the "Women Who Mean Business 2000" by Minority Business News D/FW Edition and in 1997 she received a “Helping Hands" Award presented by D/FW Minority Business Development Council & Minority Business News.
Over the years, Ms. Compton has developed a wealth of expertise in the area of minority business development and has an extensive network of working relationships with our key stakeholders in the Dallas community. She has worked with the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, D/FW Minority Business Development Council, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Business Council and Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau in various volunteer capacities.
Ms. Compton’s experience through the years also includes service on the Intel Corporation Management Review Committee for their Business to Business Information System Project; the Dallas Together Forum Private Sector Covenant for Workplace Diversity and Minority Economic Opportunity; the Board of Directors of Arts District Friends, Partnership for Art, Culture & Education and Young Audiences of Dallas Advisory Board. She is a past member of the Dallas County Historical Commission, Martin Luther King, Jr. Center Advisory Board, Shakespeare Festival of Dallas Board of Directors and Black Dallas Remembered, Inc. Board of Directors.
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? To represent the viewpoints of the citizens of Dallas, assure fiscal responsibility with tax dollars, and as part of the governing board of an institution of higher education provide policy direction for the institution under its management and control providing access to a quality education at affordable prices. I have been prepared for this role by life experiences that have taught me the value of education to my quality of life, and being a concerned tax payer.
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 DCCCD’s role in the marketplace is to offer degrees and training programs that meet the workforce demands of the future. I plan to continue to support forward thinking ideas, fairness and equity. To advocate for quality programming and pathways that remove barriers for those citizens wanting to improve their quality of life through education and assuring affordability.
4. On behalf of what issues and concerns of greatest interest to residents in southern Dallas County generally, and District 7 specifically, do you believe you can most effectively advocate? How will you advocate for those issues? Southern Dallas has the most at-risk individuals in Dallas County. Issues that are of concern are to instill an understanding of the value of education to shaping lives. Focus on removing barriers and finding ways for citizens to finance going to school. I have lived in the Southern sector all my life and I understand the challenges people cope with each day. My background gives me a unique perspective and as a member of the Board of Trustees a platform for being a strong advocate.
5. If elected, how will you advocate for DCCCD students, employees, and colleges, in your dealings with business, the community, other public servants, and voters? Are you the type that works at 40,000 feet - or do you look more at where we spend $40,000? I will continue to spread the word about what doors can open for you with an education. I will also continue to fight for and promote equal opportunity for all segments of our community. I want to make sure that taxes are low and an education is affordable for all our citizens. I work at both levels from above and below because in my opinion both are equally important. Understanding what is happening at lower levels helps you understand and focus on what is happening at higher levels and why.
6. 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 biggest assets outside of facilities are the people, their ambitions persistence, sense of responsibility and willingness to embrace all cultures and viewpoints to shape a better future for all people. The challenges we all must face are to dream and make those dreams a reality.
The District is aging and we must all contribute to make sure that our community colleges remain the best in the country. To continue to strive for sound fiscal management while providing the degrees and training for students that lead to good jobs that improve the quality of life at affordable prices. I bring experience and the knowledge I have gained through the years that will lead to solid viable solutions to issues and challenges as we move into the future.
7. In a recent survey of over 400 full-time DCCCD faculty, 53% agreed or strongly agreed that “lack of compensation adjustments to reflect my experience relative to the entering salary of faculty makes me more likely to seek employment outside the DCCCD.” In addition, despite efforts that have culminated in hiring faculty from diverse backgrounds, a disproportionate share of faculty resignations over the past decade have been faculty from historically underrepresented backgrounds, leading to the conclusion that we have a difficult time retaining what diversity we have in our ranks because so many can find better opportunities elsewhere. What efforts would you undertake to improve the opportunities for experienced DCCCD faculty to improve their compensation as they continually improve their efforts to provide top-quality instruction to our students, and thus help retain the diversity we have? How would you address the growing phenomenon of talented and diverse faculty, staff, and administrators leaving DCCCD for higher pay and/or better opportunities with other employers? I am committed finding a workable solutions to this issue that will lead to policy changes. I am one vote on the Board. To accomplish anything you need at least four votes. I am encouraged by recent discussions between board members and the willingness to embrace other viewpoints. I believe positive change is coming in this regard. When have great ideas, but the challenge we have is to work within legal parameters.
8. Relatedly, how would you increase the hiring of individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds, in order to diversify DCCCD staff, faculty, and administrative ranks? How would you encourage more individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds in Dallas County, who lack the credentials to work the middle-class middle-skills jobs we have available here, to come to the DCCCD to gain those skills? I can only do what I have always done, emphasize the great benefits, exposure to unique people and opportunities. We have great facilities and access to valuable resources that can benefit anyone. Unlimited learning opportunities that contribute to personal growth are available.
