League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
San Francisco County, CA November 3, 2015 Election
	Wendy Aragon Answers Questions Candidate for Member, Community College Board; City of San Francisco

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of San Francisco and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. What do you see as the biggest issue facing community colleges? What would you do to handle it?

It's been recently validated that our accreditation process is in dire need of reform. When the ACCJC pushes the model of for-profit colleges or that the primary focus of a community college should be pipe-lining students into four year schools, the community loses, especially life-long learners, immigrants, and low-income people who rely on a community college education to meet their needs.

For many individuals, community colleges provide an accessible and affordable education that helps to put them on the right path towards a better life. I want to ensure that City College is part of the solution when addressing state reforms that create barriers for those who are already struggling academically, such as the Student Success Act. Instead we should be creating a framework around racial equity, as well as social, restorative, and economic justice. We need a system that uplifts individuals out of poverty, not one that punishes them for their socioeconomic circumstances.

2. What would you do to address the decrease in the number of students at City College over the past few years?

Enrollment is the lifeblood of the college but right now many of our departments and programs are hemorrhaging. I believe that there is a place for all students: ESL, transfer, workforce training, professional development, GED students/high school completion, and everyday San Franciscans, such as seniors, who looking to enrich their lives and maintain a social connection with others. I also want to ensure that we are effectively using our community campuses by prioritizing them in a way that best accommodates all that City College has to offer instead of letting buildings sit empty.

I also want to strengthen our capacity to sustain employment partners and create a clear pathway to jobs through fortifying our workforce development programs. This includes our nursing, fire science, culinary, fashion, construction management and trades programs. I also want to develop and strengthen new employment pathways such as taxi driver training, creating a home for apprenticeship programs for building and construction trades, training for our public maintenance employees, and Tech SF. Businesses have to invest in being good neighbors and make measurable attempts to develop win-win solutions for the both the business community and students.

3. What are your qualifications for office?

City College deserves an independent voice, fighting for the quality education that will serve our students and community best: Full accreditation; Providing a solid basis for transfer students; Affordable quality education for all; Workforce training; Transparency in governance and fiscal responsibility; Reducing the opportunity gap in low income communities; Lifelong learning.

I will be that voice. As a product of California community colleges, I owe my academic success to student support programs; which inspired me to become a student leader, working within a college infrastructure and lobbying at the state level on behalf of student needs. I have spent the last three and a half years actively working with the Save City College Coalition. This, along with my experience in project management, and service as Chair of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Citizens Advisory Committee, give me the professional skills and policy experience needed on the Board of Trustees.

I would be honored to be your choice for City College this November 3rd.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. The answer to each question should be limited to 400 words. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 8, 2015 22:23
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