Shweta Saraswat
Winnetka resident Miguel Santiago, 35, was sworn in as the newest member of the Los Angeles Community College District board of trustees on April 9.
Chosen by the board members from a group of 27 applicants to fill the position left by Warren Furutani, who was elected in February to the California State Assembly, Santiago says he hopes to “live up to the board’s trust and confidence.”
“I was absolutely excited and pleased to know that I was picked,” said Santiago, who attended Moorpark College before transferring to UCLA, where he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in history.
Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley by immigrant parents, Santiago has worked as a middle school teacher, a parish director and a field coordinator to former Assemblywoman Cindy Montañez. He is presently serving as special assistant to external affairs for Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu.
Pierce College President Robert Garber described Santiago as “a fantastic young man who seemed really knowledgeable and excited, and who is a neighbor of Pierce.”
“He is eager to be an active participant,” Garber said. “He is enthusiastic and well-connected and I think he will be a great addition.”
A strong supporter of workforce and educational training, Santiago feels that “the board is already headed in the right direction.”
“I know I want to help implement the current plan,” Santiago said. “I particularly want to reach out to Latino, African Americans and Native American areas.”
In his application, Santiago expressed his hope to “increase the amount of enrolled students from underrepresented communities and pipeline them into wellpaying, middle-class jobs.”
In relation to community colleges, Santiago says he is “committed to student success and excellence at every step,” and will “work to increase student transfer rates as well as increasing the number of students that transfer directly into middle-class careers,” according to his application.
Santiago was endorsed by 24 elected officials and dozens of other community members. Among them is Assemblywoman Julia Brownley of the 41st District, in which Pierce resides.
“I believe that Mr. Santiago’s strong history of community activism and government work will make him uniquely qualified to serve the district and the needs of its students,” said Brownley, who is presently serving as the chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Higher Education.
As education is his priority and passion, Santiago doesn’t see himself as simply passing through the LACCD before moving on to other offices.
In regards to former board member Furutani’s departure for the state assembly, Santiago feels that “that was his path, not mine.”
According to a LACCD press release, Santiago’s seat will be up for election in the spring of 2009. If he is elected then, he will serve a two-year term until the 2011 elections.
Miguel Santiago getting sworn into officeCourtesy of laccd.edu (Courtesy of LACCD.edu)