VOTING LOCAL IS PATRIOTIC!
Local school and college boards have a direct impact on the daily lives of our residents, yet many people only vote for national and state candidates. Local elections are just as important. By voting for the best candidates, you can ensure that our students and our community have the best schools and the best college possible.
We care deeply about what matters to our community, so we are running for seats on the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees––the board that oversees College of the Canyons.
PLEASE LEARN ABOUT US!
We encourage you to read about our experiences, our connections to COC, and our ideas about what’s important for the future.
Michele Jenkins
Candidate for Re-Election as Trustee for Area 4
“My vision for the future puts students first.”
I attended College of the Canyons in the year it opened, graduating with the first class. Being a member of the Board of Trustees for 30 years has made me an experienced leader, someone who knows how to get things done. Currently, I am the president of the board, and I’ve served on the statewide trustee board as well.
Because I love our college and our community, I have dedicated myself to helping them thrive. I’m running to be re-elected as the trustee for Area 4, which includes Canyon Country, where I have lived for many years.
- I’ve been a champion of building and expanding our Canyon Country Campus.
- An advocate for concurrent enrollment, so high school students can get a jump on college classes, earn certificates and prepare for careers.
- A supporter of Academy of the Canyons for our high school students.
- A leader in building our University Center so students can get bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees close to home.
Please visit my website so you can learn more about my values and ideas.
Tony Watson
Candidate for Election as Trustee for Area 2
“I will Bring Our Community’s Voice to Our Community College Board of Trustees!”
My deep connections in the Santa Clarita Community have made me an experienced and passionate local leader, really understanding the “Community” in community college. COC recently honored me with its Distinguished Alumni Award.
I grew up in Saugus, graduated from Saugus High School, from COC, and from the Master’s University. I’m an experienced local volunteer, having served on boards for numerous Santa Clarita nonprofit organizations, including K-12 schools. In addition, I’ve worked in high-level positions at local businesses. My community network is WIDE, and I have used it to benefit students and COC, a practice I will continue and expand as your trustee for Area 2, where I’ve lived most of my life. Area 2 encompasses much of Saugus, and portions of Castaic and Valencia.
I’m a unifier and a listener, well known for creating teams, bringing people together, bridging differences and developing understanding and civil dialog between people of diverse backgrounds and opinions. My skills will benefit the college and its board of trustees. My connections to local businesses and nonprofits will help COC build more partnerships so students can get work-experience and internships they need for their professions.
To learn more about my experience, ideas, and some of the programs I support and advocate, please visit my website.
Fred Arnold
Candidate for Election as Trustee for Area 3
“I’m looking forward to helping COC expand its local partnerships, and I will commit myself to supporting innovative programs dedicated to student success.”
Santa Clarita is close to my heart, and having served on the College of the Canyons Foundation board, I’m proud that this school is changing the lives of so many in our community, in so many positive ways. Having spent nearly three decades as a business professional and community leader, I understand the value of a good investment, and an education from COC is one of the most valuable investments a person can make.
I deeply understand our community, and I’ve broad insight into the college. Bringing these two things together will make me a trustee who can really make a difference for our local students.
As a COC trustee, my goals include promoting programs that will help students get classes–both online and on campus–that will help them achieve their educational and professional goals. I’m an outspoken advocate of transparency in the management of taxpayers’ money, and wish to expanded access to education for military veterans and re-entry students seeking career shifts.
I’m energized about the future and looking forward to drawing upon my experience in the business world and my background working with community-based organizations to help COC continue building on its track record of excellence and student achievement.
Please visit my website to learn more about who I am, what relevant experiences I’ve had, my ideas, and some of the programs I support and advocate.