Schools

New Trustees Welcomed, Outgoing Trustees Honored for Service at Cerritos College

The Cerritos College Board of Trustees held its annual organizational meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 12.

The Cerritos College Board of Trustees held its annual organizational meeting on Wednesday, December 12. 

During the meeting, the board welcomed and conducted swearing-in procedures for re-elected member Bob Arthur and newly elected members Carmen Avalos, John Paul Drayer, Marisa Perez and Dr. Sandra Salazar.

Following the swearing-in, the board elected officers of the board for 2013. New trustees Marisa Perez, Carmen Avalos and Sandra Salazar were elected president, vice president and secretary respectively.

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"We have all appreciated Bob's tremendous leadership skills and dedication to the district," said incoming Board president Perez of outgoing president Bob Arthur.

"He has steered this college and its administration through very challenging times, and for that we thank him."

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Following the organizational meeting, a Board Member Recognition Reception was held in the Student Center.

Area dignitaries, civic leaders, family, friends and college staff attended the evening to recognize outgoing members and welcome new members.

Hosted by Cerritos College President Dr. Linda Lacy and Student Trustee Jason Macias, attendees bid farewell to four departing members: Dr. Tina Cho, who served for one four-year term; Dr. Ted Edmiston, a 21-year veteran of the board; Tom Jackson, who served on the board for nine years; and Jean McHatton who was appointed to the board last year.

"We will certainly miss your involvement in leading this campus, and we wish to thank you for your continued commitment and dedication," said Dr. Lacy.

Newly elected Assemblyman Anthony Rendon recognized the board and community colleges' role in education. Rendon attended Cerritos College before earning his B.A. and M.A. from California State University, Fullerton.

Then new trustees Carmen Avalos, John Paul Drayer, Marisa Perez and Dr. Sandra Salazar were sworn in ceremonially by elected officials from their trustee areas.

Certificates of recognition from the college's serving cities were presented to the incoming and outgoing trustees.

Re-elected trustee Bob Arthur of Norwalk is a Cerritos College alumnus and longtime community member. In addition to his role on the college's board, Arthur has served as a board member for the Cerritos College Foundation since April 1996. Arthur also served as mayor and councilmember for the city of Norwalk, as board member for the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission and as a board member for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Carmen Avalos served on the Cerritos College Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2009, and was elected again in 2012. She has served as South Gate's City Clerk since 2001 and teaches biology. For her efforts in doing what is in the best interest of her community in cleaning up corruption in South Gate, she was honored twice as the "Woman of the Year" for the 30th Senate District and for the 50th Assembly District.

John Paul Drayer has been an educator for 27 years. He has served on the Bellflower Unified Task Force since 1984 and is a Neighborhood Watch Captain. Drayer is a proud product of Cerritos College. He served as a student senator and majority leader, and engaged in volunteer activities while studying at the college. Drayer resides in Bellflower where his father Edward H. Drayer is a former mayor.

Marisa Perez of Lakewood has served as board assistant to board member Judith Mitchell at South Coast Air Quality Management District since 2010. She also served as associate director for transportation for the City of Los Angeles in the Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Her experience includes director of the Office of the Superintendent-President of Long Beach City College and White House associate director for domestic policy.

Dr. Sandra Salazar of Norwalk is a family medicine physician at Alta Med Health Services in Pico Rivera. She currently serves on the board of EQUITAS academy charter school, a member of the Norwalk Lions club and is a graduate of the HOPE Leadership Institute. She also serves as a public member of the California State Bar Examining Committee and was appointed by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.

- Cerritos College Media Relations


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