OFF TO A STRONG START — Nora Vargas was the unanimous choice of the SWC board to replace William Stewart. Her appointment has been hailed throughout the community. Vargas promised to “listen well” and “work super hard.”
Photo By Marshall Murphy

Nora Vargas, the vice-president of community engagement at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, was unanimously appointed to the Southwestern College Governing Board to fill the seat vacated by the March 1 resignation of William Stewart. In a 4-0 vote trustees welcomed the long-time community advocate and SWC alumnae, who was chosen from an original pool of 15 applicants. Vargas will serve until November 2014, at which time she would have to stand for election for the remainder of the term, which runs through November 2016.

Vargas said she wants to reach out to form relationships with the community.

“I think one of the strengths I have is being able to build and connect strategically,” she said. “I feel very strongly about that and being able to connect with folks and supporters and donors.”

Vargas said that her new position embodies great responsibility.

“With experience comes being thoughtful of the experience,” she said, “making sure that you are not just imposing your views, that everyone has different leadership styles, that it is important to listen to those other views and perspectives and figuring out how to build consensus and build agreements for what you want to accomplish.”

CSEA President Bruce MacNintch said he was impressed by all of the applicants, but for him Vargas stood out.

“They were all good candidates,” said MacNintch. “I was really impressed with the quality that we got this time around, but she just gave fuller answers and I think she’s more labor friendly than the impressions I got from a couple of them based on the things they said.”

Vargas and five other finalists underwent a public interview to answer questions posed by the board and constituency groups. Questions included four “core” questions followed by 10 others on a variety of topics.

Before the interviews started, Vargas approached the board to tell them that she had resigned from the Board of Directors of PIQE, the Parent Institute of Equality Education to avoid any perception of conflict of interest.

During the interview Vargas spoke about her plans for revenue generation.

“One of the great things about being a trustee is that it no longer becomes about the I but about the we,” she said. “I think being very clear about our values as an institution and an organization is the first key.”

Vargas said she thinks of herself as open-minded.

“I try very hard to make sure all of the different opinions are at the table,” she said, “that people will know at times I will agree to disagree with them, but I always will be fair and I always will be open.”

Vargas said she has 15 years in executive management roles and more than 20 years as a volunteer commissioner at the city and state level. Vargas has developed, overseen and managed budgets of more than $60 million, she said, and worked on the California Master Plan for Higher Education.

“I am ready to step into the role of a beneficiary agent of Southwestern College,” she said. “In addition, I know how much transparency means to this public body and I fully understand the (Ralph M. Brown Public Meetings Act) and have general understanding of shared governance.”

Academic Senate President Randy Beach said Vargas showed she was up to date on college issues.

“She stood out among the candidates by demonstrating a good knowledge of where we are as a college and what our recent planning endeavors have been,” he said. “She had really done her homework and has made herself aware of the challenges and the potential that we have as a college.”

Faculty union president Eric Maag agreed.

“She has a pretty fresh perspective and a policy to say what she thinks and that’s something we’re looking forward to,” he said. “(She is) someone who can stand up for their position and able to advocate their opinion in the group. (She seemed) able to have good dialogue and back and forth with the other governing board members, but at the end of the day to hold her own opinion and not to be swayed by outsiders’ opinions.”

Maag said he was also impressed by her experience with budget.

“She’s got good experience with Planned Parenthood,” he said. “She has over sighted big budgets which is one of our primary concerns at the union, to find governing board members who are willing to really look into the budget, understand it, ask the right questions and uncover some of the issues.”

Vargas said she wants to give back to the community that gave her so much.

“Being a community college student can be such a daunting process, but I went through it and look at where I am at now,” she said. “Being able to give back to my community is really empowering, important and I feel like it is a big responsibility but I am excited about it.”

Governing Board President Humberto Peraza said he was impressed by the applicants, particularly the six finalists.

“I think they were great,” he said. “It takes a lot of courage to put your name out there.”

Trustee Tim Nader agreed.

“Every one of the candidates who applied had something they brought to the table,” he said. “It showed a commitment to the community, to this college and I think that should be commended. I hope every one of them find ways to be involved in the college.”

Besides Vargas the other finalists were David Diaz, Michael Tracy Lamb, Rosa Maria Robles, Griselda Delgado and Eloy Villa. College officials said the appointment saved the $1 million cost of a special election.

 

Enrique Raymundo contributed to this story.