Ready to Deliver for Delta College

Enrollment and graduation rates are still lagging behind their pre-pandemic levels. Many Delta students struggle to complete their education on time (if ever) for a wide variety of factors, including economic insecurity, unreliable access to technology, family obligations, and difficulties balancing school with employment.

Throughout my 40 years as an educator, I have worked hard to help every student succeed, regardless of personal hardship or socioeconomic disadvantage. I am running for Delta College Board for that same reason. We need to more effectively fill gaps in basic needs (including housing, food, and Internet), connect struggling students with tutors and counselors, and implement other data-driven strategies to ensure that none of our Delta students will fall through the cracks.

Delta College is uniquely positioned to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in the workforce, especially with the medical sector, the logistics industry, and other hi-tech fields expanding across Stockton and San Joaquin County. 

As one of your City Councilmembers, I led the charge to renew Stockton's Community Workforce Training Agreement, expanding apprenticeships and other job opportunities for tradespeople in our region. As your Board Trustee, I intend to use my expertise to keep advancing programs and policies that will bring more local, well-paying jobs to our community. I will work hard to direct funds towards career-technical education across every sector, from lab sciences and ag tech to the building trades and beyond, especially if Measure K passes.

As the interim superintendent of the Stockton Unified School District, I rolled up my sleeves, listened closely to our teachers and school employees, and restored stability to a $600 million budget. Then, as a City Councilmember, I oversaw Stockton's $1 billion budget and stood firm against waste, fraud, and corruption.

I will bring those same levels of expertise and responsibility to the Delta College Board. I know how to read a budget, but more importantly, I know how to balance general fund dollars and one-time funds, pursue crucial opportunities like State grants and municipal bonds, and prevent any possible misuse of our tax money. With Measure K potentially investing $598 million directly into Delta College, I will carefully watch over all of these funds, ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely.