Connie Diaz is running for election to represent College of the Sequoias (COS) Ward 4.

“I am a consensus builder who will have an open-door policy for all and who will bring a fresh perspective to the board. I am passionate about public service and education and serving on the COS board will allow me to give back to the community,” Diaz says.

Diaz currently serves on the Tulare City School District (TCSD) board, representing Trustee Area 5.

As a school board member, Diaz learned about education budgets, policy, and the guidance board members can provide.

“I have also been able to hone my skills on building consensus on my current board and in the community, and work with other elected officials to reach common goals and solve problems,” she says.

Diaz attended COS, where she earned an Associates of Arts degree in Business Administration.

“I am the daughter of Mexican immigrants who came to this country in the search of a better life for themselves and their family. Education has been a pathway to achieve that dream,” Diaz says.

Diaz served as president of the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) Migrant Education Program for Region VIII from 2016-2018. She advocated for the needs and rights of migrant families and worked to provide resources and support.

“I plan to bring forward initiatives that will help students, staff and faculty to continue to succeed. I strongly feel that my background and experience will help me be an effective and active board member,” she says.

Priorities

If elected, Diaz stated that her priorities would be the following:

Provide community-centered leadership

“[I will] be an effective and active board member who will be a strong voice for the community, students, staff and professors,”

Consensus building

“I will work to build consensus by bringing everyone together to find solutions to challenges students face,” Diaz says.

Make classes more accessible

“[I will] expand basic class offerings directly in Lindsay, Corcoran, Tulare and rural communities to allow students to take classes in their community,” Diaz says.

Expand Dual Enrollment

“As the parent of one current and one former high school student we’ve had the opportunity to go through the process [of dual enrollment]. I believe there is room for improvement and the process can be made more streamlined, accessible to more students and easier to go through.”

Protect resources for students

“[I will] protect students services and resources on campus, including library and transfer services,” Diaz says.

Reinstate childcare on campus for students and staff.

“For me, [providing childcare] is an important part of helping students, especially single parents get their higher education,” Diaz says. “The cost of childcare can be a major barrier for students with small children and COS should be there to help them.”

An open-door policy

“As an elected official we have the responsibility to listen to every single person we serve,” Diaz says. “This approach will allow all stakeholders at COS to share their concerns, ideas, and solutions on how we can all work together to improve COS and the opportunities it offers students.”

Endorsements

Diaz is endorsed by the following originations and individuals:

· California School Employees Association – COS Chapter 408

· California Working Families Party

· College of the Sequoias Young Democrats

· COS Adjunct Faculty Association

· COS Teachers Association

· Kings County Democratic Central Commitee

· Kings County Jimmy Carter Democratic Club

· Kings County Latino Roundtable

· Latinas Lead California

· National Women’s Political Caucus Fresno

· Tulare County Democratic Central Commitee

· Tulare Democratic Club

· Visalia Democratic Club

· Hipolito Cerros, Lindsay City Council Member

· Greg Gomez, Farmersville City Council Member

· Patricia Nolen, Vice Mayor of Corcoran

· Greg Ojeda, Corcoran City Council Member

· Sid Palmerin, Corcoran City Council Member

· Rudy Salas, Congressional Candidate (CA District 22)

· Roseana Sanchez, Lindsay City Council Member

· Jose Sigala, Tulare City Council Member

· Joe Soria, Lindsay City Council Candidate

· Jeannette Zamora-Bragg, Mayor of Corcoran

Note: This is not a complete list of Diaz’s endorsements. To see the full list, go to her website.

Diaz says, “I am proud of all the endorsements I have received so far for my campaign. I have a diverse and broad group of community members, elected officials, labor organizations and community advocacy groups who believe in my vision for serving on the college board, including all the Unions on campus who represent staff, faculty and professors.”