With New Leadership, Rio Hondo College Can Become a Launch Pad for the 21st Century's Workforce
- Chris La Farge
- Sep 19, 2018
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 20, 2018
Rio Hondo College is a two-year transfer college and vocational school with good academics and training programs. However, new leadership is required to make this institution more effective in serving its students and the greater community. This Fall, Whittier has the opportunity to elect a dynamic, new Trustee to the College's Board. #Whittier #RioHondoCollege #VoteValladares #ExperiencedNewLeadership
For decades, two-year community colleges, also known as "junior colleges," have been starting points for high-school graduates who did not go straight to four-year colleges or universities. These schools provide a two-year program allowing students to fulfill their general, undergrad course requirements before applying and transferring to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor's degree.
For those not pursuing a four-year degree, these colleges often provide vocational training programs to prepare them for employment in a specific trade or industry. For example, I have a cousin who completed an elevator and escalator technician program at Mount San Antonio College in the late 80s. Immediately after completion, he was hired by the Schindler Group as an entry-level Technician trainee. Ever since then, he has worked union in that trade earning a salary good enough to raise his family on a single-income. So these colleges are important, local centers that prepare tomorrow's workforce today. By developing future workers, these institutions play a key role in local, regional, and even global economic development.
In the 21st century, sustainable energy sources and technologies and their growing industries will create new, skilled jobs. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that between 2016 and 2026, the number of solar panel installer jobs will increase by 11,800, from 11,300 to 23,100. This is an increase of 105 percent.[i] This is just one occupation of many, and the College offers training programs for a significant number of these jobs. Therefore, Rio Hondo has the potential to be an effective launch pad for the workforce of tomorrow but sadly, it's falling short.
Rio Hondo College's Graduation Rate is Not Great
When compared to five other neighboring districts, Rio Hondo's graduation rate is last at 19 percent, according to the website UnivStats.com.
For tax-payers, voters, and especially local students and their families, last place should be unacceptable . Something is not working and we deserve better. Why is the rate so low? Perhaps more tutoring and/or mental health services are needed. Perhaps student housing assistance is needed for low-income students. The problems needs study because the reasons are not clear. In any case, the rate is too low and needs to go up. The issue needs to be addressed.
New, Dynamic Leadership is in Order
In professional sports and business, when the General Manager or CEO does not produce, he or she gets replaced. This should apply to local governance as well. Currently, the Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees is comprised of five Trustees and each represents a specific Area in the district.
Trustee Area 5 is located in Whittier east of Painter Avenue and south of the hills in the communities known generally as East Whittier and South Whittier and is divided between the City of Whittier and Unincorporated South Whittier.[ii] The Area 5 incumbent is Madeline Shapiro. She is being challenged by Oscar Valladares and Dylan Logas. The election is on November 6th.
Of the two challengers, Oscar Valladares is the most qualified and the best candidate for the office. After graduating from Garfield High School, Oscar started at East Los Angeles College before transferring to California State University, Los Angeles. He graduated from Cal State LA with his bachelor's degree. After college, Oscar began his career in public administration with the County of Los Angeles where he worked as a Child Support Officer. There, he met my brother and they've known each other for 12 years. Currently, Oscar's a Deputy Public Conservator with the LA County Department of Mental Health, the largest mental health department in the nation.
Valladares has a keen understanding of community college students since he himself rose through the community college system before transferring to and graduating from a university. He's familiar with their experiences and their daily challenges. Oscar also knows what skills and supports students need to graduate. And he understands that Rio Hondo College must improve it's graduation rate in order to effectively prepare our children for the jobs of the New Economy of the 21st Century.
If elected to the Board of Trustees, Oscar Valladares will be responsible for governing an institution of higher education that serves 20,000 students with 1,000 employees and a budget of $77 million. [iii] Rio Hondo College is a big operation and the responsibility is huge, but Oscar can handle it because he's done it before. In addition to being responsible at work and for supporting a family, he has been responsible for large enterprises.
From 2013 to 2016, Oscar was an elected Executive Board Member of SEIU 72 where he represented about 85,000 employees across Southern California. With all his experience, education, and knowledge, Oscar will do a great job leading Rio Hondo College forward.
Valladares will make a fine Trustee because he's committed to improving our community. Two years ago, he canvassed for Josue Alvarado who was elected to the Whittier City Council in our first ever competitive district election. Last year, Oscar got involved in the No More Motels in Whittier campaign and also spoke against the proposed new motel at the City Council Meeting. The Council rejected the motel on a 4-1 vote, one year ago. In January of this year, Oscar, knowing that I am an urban planner, reached out to my brother and me. He asked us to get involved in improving local decision-making. (Obviously, Oscar's request and message resonated or else I probably wouldn't have started this website.)
In this year's Whittier City Council elections, Oscar was very involved in getting out the vote for both Lizette Escobedo and Henry Bouchot. Both Lizette and Henry are young leaders with a forward looking vision that seek to better involve residents in the decision-making at City Hall. With the help of Oscar, amongst others, Bouchot became the first millennial elected to the Council while Lizette narrowly fell short by two percent. With Henry, the Council is much improved and more responsive to its constituents.
Through his commitment and involvement, Oscar has won the confidence of United States Representative Grace Napolitano and County of Los Angeles Supervisor Janice Hahn. Both have endorsed him. Their support cannot be understated because both the Federal government and the County can be great partners in helping Rio Hondo become an effective launch pad for tomorrow's workers. At some time in the future, either the U.S. Department of Education or the County may have new funds available for investment in the region's community colleges. Since Oscar has established relationships with Representative Napolitano and Supervisor Hahn, he will be more effective in securing any new funding.
Oscar is running a grass-roots campaign and knocking on many doors to speak directly with voters. This is his style. He engages people in the process. As our new Trustee, he will speak directly with Rio Hondo's students in order to figure out exactly what help they need to graduate. In fact, he's doing it already. Therefore, if Oscar Valladares is elected, Rio Hondo's best days are ahead and its graduation rate will go up.
Oscar Valladares is the best candidate for the office of Trustee of Area 5 of the Rio Hondo College Board of Trustees. Therefore, I urge you to vote for him on Election Day on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. You may learn more about him and his platform at his website: https://www.oscarforriohondo.com/.
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