Patricia Johnson Teranishi

Benicia

Rarely is the clear choice for the Solano Community College governing board so obvious. I have known and worked with Frances McCullough over the past 10 years on a variety of events including civic, charitable and political. She is a seasoned educator who understands what it takes to motivate students to do well and teachers to perform at the highest standards.

via Elect Frances McCullough to SCC board.

by Heather Ah San

Michael Martin, running for governing board trustee in Area 7, said that as a Winters resident, he could represent his rural district on the Solano Community College board well.

“I understand the issues of smaller communities and rural lifestyle and feel I would bring a new voice to the governing board of trustees,” he said.

Martin said that Jowel Laguerre, Solano College’s superintendent and president, contacted him in 2008, when he was mayor of Winters, to help bring a stronger presence of the college there. Laguerre partnered with the school district and Martin to bring the first college classes to Winters. If elected, Martin said he would bring more classes to Winters and Dixon.

via Candidate profile: Michael Martin — Solano Community College Area 7.

by Heather Ah San

Incumbent Phil McCaffrey has served on the Solano Community College governing board for trustee Area 7 for 10 years.

He knows the issues, he said, and the main issue now is budget cuts handed down by the state. McCaffrey said he has struggled with the state to restore funding to community colleges.

That’s part of the reason he supports Measure Q, the Solano College facilities bond measure.

via Candidate profile: Phil McCaffrey — Solano Community College Area 7.

by Heather Ah San

Mike Wright, a candidate for the governing board trustee Area 3, said that the Solano Community College board needs a fresh face and new ideas to make positive changes.

Wright is running on a platform that will give more representation to college students and the community. While many candidates are vocal about Measure Q, Wright said that it’s ultimately up to the voters to decide what’s best for the school.

The main issues the college faces, he said, include its accreditation status, balancing the budget and attracting students with innovative programming.

via Candidate profile: Mike Wright – Solano Community College Area 3.

by Heather Ah San

Incumbent Rosemary Thurston, running for the governing board from trustee Area 3, has worked  hard the past four years to address Solano Community College’s accreditation issue.

When Thurston joined the board, the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior College cited the school for micromanaging. Thurston said that in the four years since, she has been the change agent to remove all sanctions. A recent evaluation from the commission gave Solano College an “outstanding evaluation,” she said.

“I feel we are marking good progress as an institution, even faced with difficult financial constraints,” she said. “I feel I still have something of value to offer to the process.”

via Candidate profile: Rosemary Thurston – Solano Community College Area 3.

by Heather Ah San

Monica Brown is running for the governing board in trustee Area 5 because she wants to bring the resources from Sacramento to the students of Solano Community College.

As an educator for 37 years – she’s a teacher at Green Valley Middle School – Brown said she is passionate about helping students reach their potential. To do so, she said if elected she will lobby to bring money to Solano College to give the students a great education.

Brown said that Proposition 30 and Measure Q are critical to keeping funds at the college. Those funds in turn, she said, should be used to enhance existing programs or build new ones such as nursing and biotech, and technical training classes such as electronics and automotive.

via Candidate profile: Monica Brown – Solano Community College Area 5.

by Heather Ah San

Governing board trustee Area 5 candidate Frances McCullough has devoted her adult life to serving her local community, whether on boards, commissions or by founding her own programs.

Now McCullough wants serve Solano Community College by preparing a “diverse student population to participate successfully in today’s local and global communities,” she said.

McCullough said part of the current students’ success is preparing them for a 21st century career and technical training to help them acquire in-demand and emerging jobs.

via Candidate profile: Frances McCullough – Solano Community College Area 5.

by Heather Ah San

Mark Laluan is the youngest Solano Community College governing board candidate for trustee Area 5.

Laluan, working on his master’s degree, said that as a former Solano College student, he thinks the board needs a new, fresh perspective.

“SCC deserves to be a vibrant university village, where students can learn practical knowledge while at the same time reaping the benefits of living the life of the mind,” he said.

via Candidate profile: Mark Laluan – Solano Community College Area 5.

by Heather Ah San

David Brannen, governing board candidate for trustee Area 5, says that Solano Community College faces what he calls “a perfect storm.”

Brannen, a former Solano College student, said that recent cuts to funding and other resources to community colleges are directly affecting the futures and prosperity of its students.

“Without a dedicated funding mechanism, California community colleges sit poised to wither on the vine; if they are allowed to fail, California’s aspiring students will directly suffer as a result,” Brannen said.

via Candidate profile: David Brannen – Solano Community College Area 5.