Governor Appoints SMC Trustee to State Board

By Jorge Casuso

April 7 -- Santa Monica College Trustee Dr. Margaret Quiñones has been appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to the powerful board that oversees the statewide community college system, the governor announced Tuesday.

Quiñones, who chairs the SMC board, was among six appointments to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, which sets policies and provides guidance for the largest higher education system in the world, with 2.8 million students at 109 campuses.

Quiñones, who is also a counselor at El Camino College in Torrance, was appointed to fill one of two seats reserved for trustees. She will serve a four-year term.

"I'm honored," said Quiñones. "This appointment gives me the opportunity to be part of a larger conversation about community colleges statewide.

“My primary concern is how the Board of Governors can help each individual campus stabilize its financial situation,” she said. “I think it’s going to be stimulating and a lot of fun to do another level of work for community colleges.”

Quiñones, who is a Democrat, said she has been impressed with the new governor.

“I’ve been watching his work, and he’s really about bringing people together to do work for people,” she said. “I really respect him.

“He’s really put in people in all commissions of different races and colors,” Quiñones said, adding that all six appointees to the Board of Governors are “people of color.” “He’s a change agent.”

SMC President Dr. Piedad F. Robertson praised the appointment.

"Dr. Margaret Quiñones will bring a wealth of experience as a counselor and elected trustee to the statewide community college system at a time that our two-year colleges are facing keen challenges," Robertson said. "She will make valuable contributions to the Board of Governors."

Quiñones was elected to the SMC Board in November 2000, after serving eight years on the School Board, including one year as president.

She has broad experience at community colleges and social service agencies and has been active in several community organizations that deal primarily with education and Latino issues.

An SMC graduate, Quiñones received her bachelor's degree in mental health research methods from California State University at Dominguez Hills, a master's in counseling psychology from the University of Southern California and a doctorate in educational leadership from UCLA.

A fellow of the JFK Harvard School of Government, Quiñones was the first Latina elected to the local School Board and to the SMC Board.

Quiñones’ appointment, which brings a compensation of $100 per diem, requires Senate confirmation.

The 17-member board selects a chancellor for the system. Through a formal process of consultation, the chancellor brings recommendations to the board, which then makes policy decisions.

The governor also appointed Anthony Alvarado, J. Steven Rhodes, Sara Martinez Tucker, Catherine Unger and Leslie Wang.

"Each of these exceptional individuals shares my commitment to higher education and to creating more opportunities for Californians to utilize our excellent community college system," Schwarzenegger said in a prepared statement.

"Every person brings a unique background and perspective which will be a tremendous benefit to such an important board," he said.