Published in the Oct. 15-28, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Kent Child
Kent Child
I first connected with Gavilan College in 1968 when I was hired as a instructor of art and communications. Halfway through my career with the institution, I switched to an administrative position, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Over the years I gained broad experience in teaching methodology, curriculum, staff supervision, fiscal management and contract negotiations.
My academic background began at a California community college, earning an A.A. degree in art. I then earned both a B.A. and an M.A. degrees at San Jose State University and completed a post graduate certificate program in community college teacher training.
I had a deeply satisfying career while employed with Gavilan. Following retirement, I have been able to continue the relationship by serving on the college’s board of trustees for the past nine years and I am currently the board president.
Having resided in Gilroy, Aromas, San Juan Bautista and Hollister over the years since 1968, I know the communities within the Gavilan district well. I understand and appreciate their diverse needs, perspectives and the challenges that Gavilan faces in addressing their educational needs.
California’s public educational institutions endured significant financial reductions during the great recession. Gavilan College met this challenge by adjusting priorities and maintaining basic services.
Thoughtful planning, careful fiscal management, prudent decision-making and responsible leadership enabled the college to continue to provide quality educational services to its students.
I am committed to open, respectful discussion, creative and flexible problem solving, and strive to build consensus. If re-elected, I will work diligently to make Gavilan College the finest it can be.
By Elizabeth Dirks
Elizabeth Dirks
I am a proud graduate of Gavilan Community College with an associate arts degree in liberal studies. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in marriage and family counseling, as well as having a clear credential to teach English.
I have been in education for 14 years and have taught English, journalism and yearbook at Gilroy High School. I am currently working in educational publishing where I serve all the public high schools in Hollister, Gilroy and Morgan Hill.
Prior to my career in education I worked in public relations.
I served for one year as a member of the Civil Grand Jury for San Benito County. I was a board member for the Emmaus House — the domestic violence shelter in San Benito County — for 3.5 years. I am currently a troop leader for Girl Scouts and coach a local youth soccer team. I am also on the board of directors for the San Benito High School Education Foundation.
If elected I will advocate for the full college campus in San Benito and the Coyote Valley. I will pursue and support the advancement of more online degree/certificate programs. I will push for balanced budgets and the addition of more classes for students. I feel Gavilan College is an invaluable resource and asset to our community and would be honored to be elected trustee.
By Mark Hinkle
Mark Hinkle
If you only have one choice, is it really a choice? I’m running for a trustee seat for Gavilan College because I believe in providing voters real choices.
If you have been paying attention, voters here in California have fewer and fewer real choices each election cycle. And the voters are not happy about the few choices they do have. A majority of voters think the nation is headed in the wrong direction. And I agree. But, dear voters, if you always vote for the incumbent, how or why do you expect things to change?
Albert Einstein once said: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”
California’s government education system is in serious trouble these days. The costs are too high and the results are way too low.
I’m a small business owner who has run a profitable local business for more than 10 years after spending 30 years in the high-tech world. As a small business owner, I’ve learned many valuable lessons. Chief among them is knowing when to say no.
Business folks are bombarded almost daily with sales pitches for advertising, software to run your business, sales leads, equipment sales folks, and on and on it goes. If we said yes to every pitch, we’d be broke and we wouldn’t be able to help our customers.
As a trustee, I will say no to special interests who seek to line their pockets at the expense of students and taxpayers. I will say no to further expansion of the bloated pension system and bloated salaries for both teachers and especially administrators. And I will say no to any proposed bond measures or parcel taxes.
Email me at [email protected].
By Lois Locci
Lois Locci
I am a retired University of California Director. Others describe me as bright, analytical, trustworthy and hard hitting when necessary.
I pledge to:
• Distribute resources to off-campus sites, strategically and fairly
• Increase apprenticeships and internships
• Increase CSU/UC transfers
I step forward now after a career starting at IBM then shifting to Foothill-De Anza Community College District and ending with the University of California. For 13 years I directed a self-support arm of UC in Silicon Valley, earning a 30 percent margin to reinvest.
Later I directed a UC team, building online courses for Advanced Placement with development groups at UCLA, U.C. Berkeley, Baltimore, and Mumbai. With budgets in the millions, I’ve never lost a penny.
So I feel energized to apply this rigorous professional training to the next challenges at Gavilan College and its off-campus sites. I’m ready to get working.
Near-native Spanish speaker, I trace my roots to the Azore Islands and Spanish Basque country, but I grew up in San José where I reared my children with my Peruvian-born husband, Dr. Locci.
We moved to Hollister 15 years ago to watch our grandchildren grow up in “Hometown, USA.” Currently I serve on the Civil Grand Jury, lead the Library Action Committee, and serve on the Advisory Board for the non-profit BenitoLink, free news and information for San Benito County.
My credentials:
• Doctorate in Higher Education (Ed.D) Curriculum and Instruction
• Masters in Mexican American Studies
• Graduate work in Linguistics
• Significant experience in humanities and career-tech
Summary of career work:
• IBM International
• De Anza College — English and Intercultural Communication
• UC Santa Cruz Chair — Education, Professional Development K-14 Teachers
University of California Director — Online Course Development
By Laura Perry
Laura Perry
I have been a resident of Morgan Hill for 33 years, during which I graduated from Gavilan College, San Jose State University and Santa Clara University School of Law.
I am a practicing attorney in Morgan Hill. I served as president of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the board of directors of United Way, and am an active Rotarian. My children attended public school in Morgan Hill and now two of my grandchildren attend Britton Middle School and one attends Live Oak High School.
Gavilan is currently in good fiscal shape due to the diligence of our board, administration, faculty and staff.
We survived the 2008 recession without laying off even one employee and were able to keep summer session available to our students. Gavilan’s enrollment is close to 10,000 students and our satellite campuses in Morgan Hill and Hollister are at capacity.
The passage of Measure E in 2004 allowed us to purchase land in Coyote Valley and Hollister and we are in the planning stages of building our new campuses. Construction on our Gilroy campus, which upgraded and improved our lighting and facilities, is nearly complete.
I have worked during my tenure on the board to increase academic offerings and community access to Gavilan while maintaining a balanced budget. Last year Gavilan received its accreditation renewal for another seven years and we now are excited with the hope of becoming one of the 15 community colleges selected to offer Bachelor Degrees.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative on the Gavilan College Board of Trustees. With your vote I will continue to do my best to keep Gavilan your college of choice.
