Board of Trustees

I am seeking an appointment for the vacancy in District 3. I am a beneficiary of a community college education, having attended City College of San Francisco. I received my Associate's Degree in engineering as the first step in my academic career and also attended Skyline College in my senior year in high school.

I appreciate my education from community college and feel community colleges should be the center of higher education and generate employment opportunities. That is, community college graduates will be the future of our economy. I feel I can bring my unique perspective as an Asian American mayor, council member, and 20-year government employee to the benefit of students and society's future.

If appointed, I will bring my nine years of budgeting experience, labor negotiations, public policy experiences, government and non-profit relationships, public/private partnerships, and four years as a Director on the Association of Bay Area Governments governing board which provides funding and planning for housing and other municipal infrastructures.

I have long been an advocate for public education and supported our local institutions in various ways, including serving as the founding president of the Millbrae Education Foundation. In addition, I coordinated efforts to enable the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Band of the West to be based at Cañada College. I also launched a leadership/public service internship program for high school and college students.

My experience and prior service in local government will greatly benefit the San Mateo County Community College District. As a trustee, I will work to make community college as accessible as possible, a choice to seek training in key professional fields, and increase enrollment by hailing the advantages of education from community college versus attending a four-year institution.

The district has pursued many innovations such as staff housing, free tuition options, and student housing. I will work to build upon these achievements and look to new opportunities to improve student mobility and food security and expand partnerships with local school districts to help underserved students enter college.

I will also bring my experiences from attending City College of San Francisco. While at City College, I was appointed to the Curriculum Advisory Committee (committee of instructors, administrators, & students), recognized as the Outstanding Community College Minority Student, and elected president of the College Scholarship Club - A student organization that provides leadership and guidance to university-bound students.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to speaking with you about this appointment. 

Sincerely, Wayne Lee