Southwestern Oregon Community College District Board Member Position 4 Choose 1
There are 17 community college districts in Oregon. Community colleges are governed by locally elected boards of education, which determine education and operational policy for their colleges and oversee the college’s budget.Qualifications: Candidate must be a registered voter in the district. Employees of the district are not eligible. ORS 341.326(2), 341.275(2)Term: 4 yearsThe Curry County League of Women Voters hosted a forum for the SWOCC candidates; you can view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=FcIh3wZXKok.
Biographical Information
Town Where You Live
North Bend
What are your highest-priority goals if elected?
My highest priority is the safety of students and potential students visiting our campus. Students at our campus should never have to fear other students and especially staff at our campus for any reason.
My other priority is committing to classes in the trades. We need more concentration in this area.
What relevant skills and experience would you bring to the board?
I am a military veteran. My military experience has given me the ability to work as a team with many different people, ideas, and opinions.
I have also taught in the trades. I am a former instructor at Lane Community College. I taught in the diesel technology course. I have been in this industry for more than twenty-five years. I am currently the shop manager for a seventy-five year old company in our community.
How, if at all, would you redistribute resources between Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and programs to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions?
There seems to be a bigger push for four year degrees than in areas of the trades or CTE. I hope to bring balance to this. I think community colleges should concentrate and Taylor there curriculums to the needs of there communities, rather than just pushing for higher degrees.
Biographical Information
Web Site (leave blank if not applicable)
http://https://www.skinner4swocc.com
Town Where You Live
Gold Beach
Your Experience/Qualifications
SWOCC Budget Committee Member (3 years), SWOCC Board (1 year), Academic Librarian (12 years), Public Library Director (11 years), Oregon Library Association Legislative Co-Chair, Gold Beach Youth Fund Board, Gold Beach Rotary Club, Oregon Community Foundation South Coast Leadership Council, South Coast Regional Early Learning Hub Board
County
Curry
What are your highest-priority goals if elected?
-Ensure that we have a community college that provides the skills for our youth to remain in the region with good paying jobs.
-Ensure that the college programs foster strong businesses through workforce development.
-Monitor the budget and finances to ensure that operations are financially sustainable.
-Use my experience to inform the College's strategic plan.
-Ensure that the College President is performing at the highest level.
-Serve as a liaison to the College Foundation to help with the development of gifts and investments to serve the College mission.
-Advocate for legislation to improve College operations.
What relevant skills and experience would you bring to the board?
I have extensive experience with building community partnerships to deliver high quality programs and services on the south coast. Curry Public Library was the only library west of the Mississippi to receive 21st Century Learning Center funding for its afterschool program.
I understand public budgeting and finance, and am a skilled fundraiser. During the past 10 years, I have brought in $1 in grants and gifts for every $1 in taxes received.
I have performed at the highest level in my profession, being named the Oregon Library Association librarian of the year in 2019, and have earned national recognition for the library.
My strongest asset is that are care deeply for our community.
How, if at all, would you redistribute resources between Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and programs to prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions?
I am a data driven decision maker. I would analyze job trends, listen to local needs, review demographic data, look closely at the sources of existing funding, and determine whether this data calls for changes to the strategic plan that ultimately guides the College's decision making. In other words, I would advocate for changes based on whether or not the data indicates that changes are needed.