Erika Lowery, a parent and pastor, is running for the Area 2 seat on the Southwestern Community College District board of trustees. The San Diego Union-Tribune asked all the candidates running in community college districts around San Diego County about their policies, plans and priorities. Here’s what Lowery told us about hers. Why are you running for school board? What makes you a good candidate? I am a common-sense parent running for school board because I want to create the foundation for a true livable wage. The best means is through education focused on the prospects and areas of growth. Some of these include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and green energy maintenance — also growing our trade programs to encourage construction projects. Erika Lowery (Courtesy Erika Lowery) I want to have young adults come out of Southwestern with the knowledge that they will be able to support themselves and their families in the long run with a career. I am running because I have seen what community colleges are capable of firsthand. My oldest found his passion in welding at a community college. It may not be his ultimate career choice, but it is something that he can rely on to support his family that he enjoys doing. What is the most important issue currently facing your community college district? Ultimately it always comes down to finances. A balance of what can be done with the tuition and bond monies, versus what is a dream. Another area where finances come into play is the need to focus on the long-term goals of the student body, whether it is going on to a four-year university or finding a career that will allow them to live comfortably in the Southern California economy. The Southwestern campus needs updating in some areas, most importantly in the classrooms, and ensuring they are ready for the technology coming. In 2008 and 2016 bonds were issued to update and improve the physical campus. There is still more to do to make sure the campus can accommodate the growth and development that our students need to succeed. But it comes down to what we can accomplish with the funding we have available. What are the top three specific things you would seek to accomplish on the school board? First is increasing practical education — those classes and programs that will lead to a career should take priority. Then, the basic curriculum students take to transfer to a four-year university for an advanced degree. The second is focusing on student needs. Why do students choose to attend other schools? Where does Southwestern fall short of meeting the educational needs of students? Many students attend other community colleges, and surveying why would give the administration a better understanding of our enrollment. Finally, I would like to extend outreach to the high schools and the special education community. Students, especially those with learning disabilities, should know all their options post-high school. I know from being a mom of a child on the spectrum that further education is questionable. Encouraging those differently-abled students to attend community college would provide a transition and buffer for them into the adult world. What would your approach be to budget planning and spending? What would you do if your district had a budget shortfall? With my background in finance, I understand that the income projected is not always the income attained. It is somewhat different in an educational setting because there is the state and enrollment that drives the income for the college. If there is a budget shortfall, the first thing to examine is where is it coming from. Is it a decline in enrollment, which would imply that the college is not meeting the needs of the students? If it is from the state, it may be out of the college’s control. I would first streamline processes as much as possible. Focus on the educational benefits to the students. I would focus the classes on ones that create a job upon graduation. I would like to see a career or education path for each new and existing class before any changes to the curriculum. What would you do to make community college more affordable and accessible? Southwestern College is one of the best educational “deals” available. It allows students to examine several career options before committing or incurring a large debt. As for making it more affordable, I am willing to work with future employers to encourage a mentorship program to reduce costs or allow students to gain work experience while in school. It is a program I utilized when in college and would work hard to recruit businesses to partner with. Accessibility is key. Southwestern College is not easily accessible for parts of Imperial Beach and Coronado, two cities within this district. It leads students to go to other options. I would be interested in redirecting a bus route, like the 227, from Coronado to Imperial Beach and ending at Southwestern College. I will work with MTS to allow for easy access, especially for those who may not have reliable transportation. How should your community college district raise student academic achievement, and what would you do as a school board member to accomplish that? When I attended community college, I was on the dean’s and president’s list for many terms. It was not publicized or recognized other than a certificate I picked up at the administration office. I would encourage all students to excel to their best ability and publicize their successes. I would look into ways to have the students that excel be able to show their success off, in something as simple as a T-shirt or special seating at a sporting event. Also, I would encourage honor societies on campus to publicize their members. As a school board member, there aren’t many ways to raise student achievement other than publicizing the successes. Ultimately it comes to the student wanting to succeed on their own. Why do you think more students are not transferring to four-year colleges or completing a degree/program? What, if anything, do you think should be done to address that issue? The cost of a four-year college degree is making it hard to reach. Families have to balance the benefit of a degree against the long-term, heavy debt that is encumbered. This is why I am focused on having a career available upon graduation. There are many options at the university level, but having a path from community college to a career is key. Focusing on expanding technologies and trades allows students to get an educational foundation that will allow them to circumvent the high cost of a four-year college. Do you think anything currently offered in community college district curricula, libraries or programming should be removed? If yes, what, and why? If no, why not? I will reserve any comment until I can see a detailed budget and enrollment numbers. If there is a need to cut programs due to budgetary restrictions, I am willing to make those necessary cuts. I will prioritize those programs that are career path driven, then those that will lead to higher level degrees. But as for specifics, I cannot make any comment until I am privy to enrollment and detailed financials.