I was born and raised in Nicaragua. When I was 11 years old, my mother enrolled me in a bilingual school where I completed my high school in an English/Spanish program. Since we already spoke English, during my last year of high school, representatives from the American Embassy in Nicaragua came to my school to recruit students who wished to study in the US. I applied and passed the requirements. Findlay College, now University of Findlay, Ohio, offered me a scholarship. I accepted and completed my undergraduate degree there, later pursuing an MA and PhD at Bowling Green State University also in Ohio. If my mother had not been so attentive to my education, would I be who I am today?

Upon arriving in Findlay I noticed that people that looked like me were not represented in the student body, faculty or staff. But, we were very well represented in the tomato fields picking the crops. Their cultural and racial experience was in my past and is in my present and influences what I did, have done and will do with my life in the future.

Since graduating, I have dedicated my life, like many of you, to improving opportunities for all through education, but the Latino experience and the immigrant experience is in my past, and informs my present and future. In September, I will be going to U of Findlay to receive a Distinguished Alumna Award because of my life of service. Looking forward to this has provided me with an opportunity for introspection.  A lot of my past, defines and informs my present and future. I know that many of you can relate to my experience even if the details are different. Who are the heroes that encouraged you to pursue big challenges in your lives?

In 1980 I moved to California for family reasons. The California Community Colleges gave me a home. I started working as a part-timer and 25 years later I was President of Chabot College in Hayward. I came to Monterey County in 1996 because Hartnell College offered me the position of VP for Student Services.

I know now, more than ever, that I have lived a pathway that was meant to be mine.  Now that I know how well run community colleges function, I would like to continue using my training to provide leadership for Monterey Peninsula College at the highest level.

My purpose in running for Monterey Peninsula College Trustee is to provide leadership based on the experience I have gained by working as a faculty, staff and administrator in California Community Colleges; support the graduation and transfer of MPC students; attract and retain excellent faculty, staff and administration and offer camaraderie, experience and support to other Trustees and the Superintendent/President.