College board applicants narrowed to seven candidates

Southwestern College’s Governing Board proceeded with the steps to fill two vacant board seats left by Nora Vargas and Tim Nader on Feb. 8.

Twenty-five applicants, each were allowed three minutes to make personal statements to board members and staff on why they are seeking appointment to the Board.
Board President Leticia Cazares said despite the extreme challenges the college is facing and the long road ahead that she was encouraged with the 25 people that applied for board positions.

“Thank you all for stepping up to serve our students and campus community,” she said.

“This is one of the strongest pools of candidates that I have seen in a long time. Each of you have strengths we need possessing strengths and qualities that would be an asset, no doubt. However, not all can move on to the final interviews and it will be difficult.”

Cazares said the Board had reviewed each application and completed a rubric for each and provided it to staff. She said to make best use of time she asked staff to create a comprehensive rubric reflecting the overall ranking to create a snapshot where they may have already had a consensus on finalists. This rubric is only one half of the process with the other half being personal statements. The rubric showed seven candidates where all governing board members who answered recommendations for applicants to come back.

Five candidates had two governing board members recommending second interviews. After quick deliberation, the Board decided to bring back seven applicants for interviews from the full consensus report. Candidates will be interviewed for 30 minutes at a special Governing Board meeting on Feb. 16. Outgoing Superintendent Dr. Kindred Murillo suggested that the Board start the meeting early, as the interviews and deliberation will take longer. At this time, the college has not posted an agenda for the Feb. 16 meeting.

The following candidates were invited to come back for final interviews: Carmen Sandoval Fernandez, Don Dumas, Kirin Macapugay, Lyn Corbett, Nesha Savage, Xavier Soriano and Christine Antione.

Carmen Sandoval Fernandez is a first generation college graduate and has experience in the public service with San Diego Transit and the non-profit sector with the Chicano Federation and Casa Familiar. Her volunteer work focused on education serving as a Puente mentor and on the EOPS Advisory Committee at Southwestern College and chair of the Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board at UC San Diego.

“I understand the broad issues of our mega-region and how everything is interconnected. I have always worked for social justice and equity. I am ready to lend my passion for education, my experience, communication skills, networking and partnering abilities in support of the essential work of Southwestern College,” she said.

Don Dumas is currently employed as a teacher in the Sweetwater Union High School District, teaching advanced placement United States history and ethnic studies at Bonita Vista High School. He has also a boys’ varsity basketball head coach for the past 10 years at Mar Vista High and Bonita Vista High.

“My entire career has been dedicated to the elimination of social and economic injustice, including the dismantling of white supremacist structures. It is these efforts that caused people-union leaders, community leaders, and board members of other school districts to reach out to me and encourage me to consider pursuing appointment to your board,” he said. “Being a Black American, South Bay native, and child of working-class parents, I believe I will bring a unique and much needed perspective to the Governing Board in their effort to eliminate anti-Blackness throughout the SCCD.”

Kirin Macapugay grew up in one of San Diego’s most under-resourced communities and said her strong education at Southwestern College was the beginning of her pursuit of higher education.

“I worked for the past 23 years serving our county’s marginalized populations and in 2017 was awarded RISE San Diego’s San Diego Civil Rights Woman Leader recognition.” she said. “I believe my years as an organizational administrator, program developer, community organizer, advocate, and more importantly, community college educator has prepared me to serve the students, faculty, staff, and greater Southwestern College community.”

Lyn Corbett is a senior executive with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations within the business, nonprofit and academic sectors. She said most of her work across the country focused on advancing equity within communities.

“My commitment to communities is even more critical during this period of civil unrest. As a society, we continue to wrestle with systemic racism, anti-Blackness, police brutality, and no community is immune from these disturbing realities,” he said. “The terror, injustice, and detrimental psychological damage has impacted our everyday lives. The anger, sadness, worry, and confusion has led people to feel both paralyzed and powerless. The path forward is complicated; however, I believe that supporting future leaders in institutions of higher education can provide the much needed services to a diverse community of students.”

Nesha Savage is dean of student development and matriculation and personal growth at San Diego City College.

“I have a strong record of working collaboratively and believe that key decisions should be inclusive of the voice and collective thinking of all constituencies,” she said. “I am fully committed to fostering a climate of inclusiveness that celebrates groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds. Whether it be ethnicity, income status, gender, physical ability, or other, it is important for colleges to serve the varied needs of students and its employees.”

Xavier Soriano is a local radio personality and believes the greatest challenge the college faces now are racial tensions and economic security.

“Being raised by Filipino and Mexican immigrant parents with limited education in a small agriculture town, gave me the true understanding of the importance of a higher education,” he said. “My unique professional position and platform in the city, county, across the border and greater community and lending my reputation as a bridge builder. I believe will be of value to the board and allow the great work the board has done to be highlighted in an innovative and exiting way.”

Christine Antoine has worked in the public sector for nearly 20 years and said she is familiar with how public institutions work and is well versed on issues such as access, budgets, personnel and public perception are intertwined. She recently served on the advisory committee resulting in the hiring of Dr. Mark Sanchez as the incoming superintendent of the college.

“This position demands someone who can be a coalition builder, actively lead on anti-Blackness, has a record of good decision-making in the public sector, and who will work to always center the needs of students, including the unseen and unheard,” she said. “I can represent those whose needs can and should be elevated for the College to have a well-rounded approach to equity. My goal is to help students and families in the region know that there is a welcoming place for them at SCCD, whether it is the classroom, the faculty ranks, or administration.”