Candidates for Community College Board

Not all candidates submit a statement of qualifications. A complete list of candidates appears on the sample ballot. Statements are volunteered by the candidates and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency. Statements are published as submitted. Spelling and grammatical errors have not been corrected.

VICK CHUNG

My occupation is Community Organization.

My qualifications are:

I am a recent student trustee emeritus, sexual health educator, and social justice advocate.

While serving on the San Francisco City College Board, I dissented against unsound budgets which recycled the same ineffective strategies that further marginalized students and college employees of color. I worked with student leaders and labor unions across the state to fight corporate interests and protect access to public education.

As a child of Chinese-Vietnamese refugees, born and raised in San Francisco, I understand the critical role educational institutions play in Black, brown and Asian communities that face linguistic, cultural and transgenerational oppressive barriers to accessing socio-economic opportunities.

My education in public health has helped me understand that communities of color have lived in a pandemic of health disparities that preceded COVID-19. City College provides intersectional access to community, social services, and socio-economic opportunities. City College helped my parents learn English, obtain citizenship and employment, and it helped me–a queer, Asian-American–heal from transgenerational violence, sexual trauma and emerge with a passion for expanding access to public education. I am running because I know education is medicine.

Endorsements:

San Francisco Labor Council

United Educators of San Francisco

American Federation of Teachers 2121

ILWU Northern California District Council

Former Supervisor John Avalos

San Francisco Board of Supervisors Gordon Mar and Dean Preston

Vick Chung

BRIGITTE DAVILA

My occupation is President, CCSF Board / Professor.

My qualifications are:

I serve as President of the Board and am running for re-election. As the first in my family to go to college, I’ve benefited from California’s public higher education. I’ve taught at SFSU in the College of Ethnic Studies for 27 years and understand what it takes for students to thrive. I spent 15 years working with legislators, faculty, and students to push for budgets and legislation that support quality public education. Since first elected in 2014, CCSF faced enormous obstacles, but strong experienced leadership led the way to free tuition and full accreditation for CCSF.

I will continue to:

· Meet Accreditation Standards - keep CCSF open and accredited.

· Require Fiscal Stability - balance the budget with no deficit spending.

· Ensure Budget Transparency - work with auditor reporting to the Board and rely on faculty, staff & student review teams.

· Implement Facilities Upgrades: use $845 million bond to start groundbreaking for 3 projects in January.

· Improve DEI practices across our college - I served on a statewide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team and will bring best practices.

· Expand Free City - expand beyond tuition to support students

I have the experience to keep City College open, accountable and a resource for all San Francisco residents. Check www.CCSFTogether.org for endorsements and information.

Brigitte Davila

MARIE HURABIELL

My occupation is University Regent / Entrepreneur.

My qualifications are:

Experienced. Fiscally Responsible. Accountable to the Public, not insider interests.

· Mom.

· Proven Leader, including Georgetown University Board of Regents, Presidio Trust, Holy Family Day Home.

· Innovated curriculum advancements.

· Seasoned fundraiser: $42,000,000 for educational and community causes.

· 22 years leadership at world-class institutions.

· Honors graduate Georgetown University and University of Pennsylvania Law School.

San Francisco City College should be a beacon of hope, a viable and respected institution enriching our city by empowering our students to reach their highest potential. Sadly, due to a decade of financial mismanagement, CCSF is failing. We have seen unqualified trustees abuse the position as a political stepping-stone, bowing to insider interests, leaving students and faculty without genuine advocates. This neglect has yielded disastrous results. Much like the Board of Education, it is time for competent leadership to restore CCSF.

No other candidate in this race has experience overseeing a *successful* academic institution, rather incumbents have rubber-stamped years of malfunction. CCSF desperately needs a new leader with a proven track record in fundraising and educational innovation.

As your common-sense Trustee, I will help lead CCSF to solid footing, bringing best practices and creative solutions, preparing all students for success, safeguarding CCSF’s long-term viability.

Effective boards require independent members not beholden to insiders.

I commit to doing what’s right to save CCSF.

VoteMarie.com.

Thank you!

Marie Hurabiell

ANITA MARTINEZ

My occupation is Retired Teacher / Administrator.

My qualifications are:

The first in my family to attend college, my educational path began at a two-year institution which inspired me to work in community colleges. At City College of San Francisco, I served as a teacher, Dean of Students, and Vice Chancellor of Instruction. I was elected president of American Federation of Teachers 2121 and the Academic Senate. I also served as Dean of Language Arts at Skyline College and Vice President of Student Learning at the College of Marin. I know how to balance budgets; I have developed community college policy; I have participated in the selection of chancellors. These are three primary trustee responsibilities. I have led teams at several community colleges to respond successfully to accreditation challenges. My entire career has been spent as an educator.

I am committed to

· Keeping City College a community college

· Improving the student experience through comprehensive services and a friendly registration portal

· Expanding access by restoring classes and programs

· Balancing the budget without sacrificing personnel

· Growing enrollment for a steady revenue stream

· Improving diversity, equity, and inclusion

Endorsements:

American Federation of Teachers 2121

ILWU Northern California District Council

San Francisco Labor Council

United Educators of San Francisco

Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton

Supervisors Gordon Mar, Myrna Melgar, Dean Preston

Former Supervisor John Avalos

Founder El Colegio de la Mission John Rodelo

martinezforcollegeboard.com

Anita Martinez

JOHN RIZZO

My occupation is Vice President, Community College Board.

My qualifications are:

During the Pandemic, when California Community Colleges lost 20% of their students and City College lost vital tax revenue, I got to work delivering solutions. We stabilized the finances and ended the structure deficits. We satisfied all financial requirements of accreditation, the state, and our auditors. And we now have a healthy reserve fund to get City College through the next recession.

As Facilities Chair, I worked to move quickly on the 2020 bond measure: we will soon start construction on three new state-of-the-art classroom buildings to replace dilapidated facilities, and a fourth is in design. And, I helped secure 100+ new affordable housing units for faculty and staff.

I have incorporated my work as an environmental activist with the Sierra Club to create climate policy for City College, with new buildings powered by geothermal energy, electric car charging, and free transit passes for students.

Other solutions I am working on include building affordable housing for students, increasing student success rates, and eliminating inequitable barriers to diversity, equality, and inclusion.

My supporters include:

Senator Scott Wiener

Former Senator Mark Leno

Assemblyman Phil Ting

Supervisor Aaron Peskin

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman

Supervisor Gordon Mar

Every Community College Board member: Aliya Chisti, Brigitte Davila, Murrell Green, Thea Selby, Shanell Williams, Alan Wong

The Sierra Club

www.johnrizzoforcollegeboard.com

John Rizzo

THEA SELBY

My occupation is Trustee, City College of San Francisco.

My qualifications are:

Elected Trustee for the past 7 years with a lifelong commitment to public education, and small business owner Thea Selby will fight for City College and for you, the community. Her CCSF accomplishments:

· Shepherded CCSF through the past accreditation

· As Board President, implemented FREE City College for all students and grew enrollment the first year by 25%

· With Student Success and Policy Committee members, found $2M to lower student debt

· Negotiated $400,000 from private developer to support student-led low-cost transit campaign

This next term, Thea will

· Work with her colleagues to deliver accreditation once again (2023)

· Support student-led Transit Team to secure transit passes

· Focus on keeping finances stable and growing enrollment

· Work to use unallocated FREE City funds to recruit students

· Form agreement with Building Trades for students to work on $845M worth of CCSF construction projects

Endorsements include:

Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis

CA State Treasurer Fiona Ma

Board of Equalization Malia Cohen

Senator Scott Wiener

Assemblymember Phil Ting

Supervisors Gordon Mar, Aaron Peskin, Myrna Melgar

Human Rights Commissioner Leah Pimentel

Small Business Advocate Henry Karnilowicz

DCCC Member Nancy Tung

Nonprofit Director Danny Sauter

Sierra Club

National United Health Workers

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 38

Thea Selby

SUSAN SOLOMON

My occupation is Retired Teacher.

My qualifications are:

I was born and raised in San Francisco, and retired last year from a career in education, beginning as a childcare provider and culminating as President of United Educators of San Francisco, leading educators safely through the first 15 months of the pandemic and unprecedented attacks on public education. I attended public schools, kindergarten through college, and have lived in the Fillmore District most of my life.

My Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education began with a Child Development class at City College. I taught preschool and elementary school for nearly three decades.

City College must serve everyone: students planning to matriculate; planning to go on to four-year colleges; acquiring technical/industry certifications; taking classes to learn skills they need for jobs; and dual-enrolled high school students and lifelong learners.

Supporting all students in our beloved community college – working students, immigrants, and students of color– is an essential investment in our democracy. I will devote all that I have learned from my many years of public education advocacy to working as a City College Trustee.

Partial endorsement list:

San Francisco Labor Council

American Federation of Teachers, 2121

United Educators of San Francisco

International Longshore and Warehouse Union NCDC

Board of Supervisors:

· Shamann Walton, President

· Connie Chan

· Dean Preston

John Avalos, Council of Community Housing Organizations

Bevan Dufty, BART Board Director

Susan Solomon

WILLIAM WALKER

My occupation is Teacher.

My qualifications are:

As a born and raised San Franciscan graduate of Wallenberg High, CCSF and UC Berkeley, and the former Student Trustee who served on the Board during re-accreditation, I’m experienced in engaging the community to make CCSF the powerhouse it once was when I first enrolled, when CCSF boasted a 110,000 student enrollment.

I will, if elected:

- Grow CCSF enrollment.

- Partner with employers to identify courses that will make students viable candidates for existing job openings.

- Expand nursing degree and job apprenticeship programs.

- Expand Cantonese, English language and Ethnic Studies courses.

- Expand nursing degree and job apprenticeship programs.

- Support the Chancellor in updating CCSF courses to ensure more courses are transferable.

- Introduce new programs that expose students to growing fields, such as urban planning and data science.

- Expand high school concurrent enrollment, older adult learning and other programs based upon community need.

- Expand partnerships with SFDHR, SFMTA and other City departments to utilize CCSF as the training institution of record.

With 28 years of community development and student services experience, I will bring skills to the Board that are lacking. Students deserve true leadership. I humbly request your vote.

Vote William Walker!

Let’s rebuild City College!

Visit ccsfwill.com.

William Walker

JILL YEE

My occupation is Academic Dean.

My qualifications are:

I believe in the promise of City College of San Francisco.

My parents were immigrants from China, and our entire family lived in the back of our dry-cleaning business in the Western Addition. We didn’t have much, but my parents impressed upon us the importance of education.

City College was a gateway of opportunity for me. I attended CCSF for 2 years, then transferred to U.C. Berkeley and earned my bachelor’s degree. I received my master’s from S.F. State, and my law degree from Golden Gate University.

In my professional life, I had the honor of being a professor at City College for 25 years, where I served as the Chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department. At CCSF, I founded the Department of Asian American Studies, and worked as an Academic Dean.

I understand the challenges facing CCSF, and stand ready with solutions.

If elected, I pledge to:

· Make changes to ensure fiscal accountability.

· Promote equity of opportunity for ALL students.

· Align programs with jobs that pay a living wage.

· Build student and faculty housing.

I hope you will join Mayor London Breed, community leaders, and over 100 CCSF students, alumni, faculty, and staff in supporting my candidacy.

www.jillyee.com

Jill Yee

JASON CHUYUAN ZENG

My occupation is Data Engineer.

My qualifications are:

Everyone has the right to their own body and a fair chance at a dignified life. Our country strives for equity, but many people do get left behind. That’s why I believe City College should always be free for all San Franciscans, because it gives everyone in our city a chance to fight for a dignified life, no matter their background, age, or history. Removing barriers to education is the only way to help people out of the poverty trap.

To accomplish this, City College needs to meet its due diligence. City College isn’t a destination, it’s a stepping stone to the rest of your life. Investments in the fundamentals of academics and student services are key, but so is the growth of support staff such as academic advisors. Many people who first enter City College do not have an idea of what they want out of the experience, and having someone to guide them through will reduce the time spent at City College and more on enjoying a boundless life afterwards.

I intend to keep City College free for San Franciscans forever and always, streamline requirements for graduation, and increase access to physical and digital classrooms.

Jason Chuyuan Zeng

MURRELL GREEN

My occupation is Community College Dean.

My qualifications are:

Born and raised in San Francisco, after graduating from the San Francisco Unified School District with honors, I pursed a Bachelor’s Degree (Psychology), Master’s degree (Counseling - College and School), and a Doctorate (Educational Leadership and Management – Higher Education). Additionally, I have 16 years of direct experience in the California Community Colleges as an Adjunct Instructor, Tenured Counseling Faculty, Department Chair, and Student Services Dean. Beyond my career, I have dedicated my life to helping others through the auspices of education and social justice with a specialized focus on underrepresented populations including: African American/Black, Asian American-Pacific Islander, Disabled, Financial Aid, First-Generation, Foster Youth, Incarcerated, Latinx, LGBTQIA2S+, Low-Income, Undocumented, Veterans, and Women.

I currently serve on the board of directors/advisors for the following organizations: African American Male Education Network & Development, Alive & Free – Omega Boys Club, The Coalition: Asian/Latinx/Black Radical Leaders, The Black Advisory Panel of the California Community Colleges, and Bayview-Hunter’s Point YMCA. If re-elected, I will continue my student-centered focus on board relations, chancellor oversight, Covid 19 response, diversity equity and inclusion, educational student success, employee stability, and financial responsibility.

Endorsements:

Lieutenant Governor – Eleni Kounalakis

Mayor – London Breed

Board of Supervisors President – Shamman Walton

“For more information: www.ccsftogether.org”

Murrell Green

DANIEL LANDRY

My occupation is Director, Arts Nonprofit.

My qualifications are:

I’m running because I believe education is a human right for all San Franciscans. Born and raised in San Francisco I have been working now as an advocate for over 29 years.

Some of my past experiences includes:

An assistant teacher for SF Educational Services in 1995, a candidate in 2020 for supervisor for District 5, crafting Prop. F initiative for Bayview/HP in 2008, and a member of the (RAB) of the US Navy also in 2008. Lastly I was a coordinator and member for the SF Fire Department’s NERT in 2007.

Currently I’m a member of the SF Human Rights Commission’s Reparations Task Force Advisory Committee.

· Political Science & Communication Studies at CCSF

· Founder of SF CATS Academy, Inc.

· Member Justice for Mario Woods Coalition

· Community Policing Relations Board

My priorities include:

· Support students and teachers’ needs

· Mandate fiscal oversight

· Maintain tuition-free CCSF

· Ensuring CCSF keeps its accreditation

Endorsements:

David Campos, California Democratic Party

De’Anthony Jones, SF Human Rights

Leonard Priestley, SF Special Police Officers Association

I would be honored to serve as your trustee for the CCSF.

Daniel Landry

www.votedaniellandry.com

Daniel Landry

ADOLFO VELASQUEZ

My occupation is Retired Chair / Counselor.

My qualifications are:

30 years ago I earned my first degree, General Studies, at City College of San Francisco (CCSF.) A year ago, I earned a degree in Critical Middle Eastern Studies. As a lifelong resident and learner of San Francisco, I am City College! With my candidacy for a seat on the CCSF Board of Trustees, my history with CCSF speaks for itself first as a student, then returning to work as a Career Counselor, Academic Counselor in Educational Opportunity Program & Services (EOP&S) before retiring as Chair of EOP&S in 2021. While working part-time at CCSF I served as an Academic Counselor at San Francisco State University, where I worked with many CCSF transfer students.

As a former student, counselor and chair at CCSF for 20 years, I understand the inner workings of the school from the perspective of a student to management. All my experiences at CCSF, has provided me with the required knowledge and insight required to be an effective board member to address the many issues that CCSF has faced beginning with the accreditation crisis in 2012 to the present financial predicament. Additionally, I would bring an insider’s perspective to the board when making decisions with policies and budget, decisions to make CCSF a stronger and sought after educational institution, while keeping it a Community College.

www.adolfov4collegeboardtrustee.com

Adolfo Velasquez