Statement from Debra:
I grew up in rural AZ and as a teenager came to realize that my chance of every going to a university were slim and none. I was so sad and so loved going to school and did not want to accept my fate of not having the chance to go to college. There was a group of teachers and community people who had a vision to start a college in Navajo County that was unlike any College concept ever heard of. I caught the vision and got excited and as a High School Student became involved in taking on all the nay sayers to the multi campus concept. It was a turning point in my life. At 17 I had the opportunity to be one of the first students at the newly created Northland Pioneer College. Even more, I learned that I could make a difference and that if you dream big and work hard miracles can happen. I love to dream big and see what is possible. I like to be a part of listening and bringing together the people and what ever it takes to make things happen.
After becoming a State Representative in the AZ House I quickly was recognized and named the Community College Cheerleader of the Legislature. I pushed for a committee for Com Colleges and when one was created, I was named the Chair. We did some awesome work to address the transfer of credits to Universities, doing away with a Board that was coming up with all kinds of really bizarre things that Com Colleges had to do to stay in good graces with the Board. Most of the ideas took money away from what is most important and that is what goes on in the class room.
I do believe we need some standards and some uniformity and work through some issues with Com Colleges and since the Association has let me down in the commitment they made that they would be that organizing body if we did away with the Board, something does need to be done now. However, I am not in favor of creating a Board that is appointed by a Governor to oversee an elected school board of a Com College as the Legislature is proposing at this time. I think we need to think outside the box and come up with a better idea than that.
I am very strong believer that extremes on any issue or subject reflect a very narrow view and that the truth is somewhere in the middle. Each extreme puts on blinders so as to not be confused by the facts and presents their extreme as truth when it is far from it. I believe in being a moderator of such extremes and finding the ground we can all agree on and building a bridge on that ground to a miracle.
I love our Community Colleges. I love the people that it gives a chance, a shot at a new life, the sense that they are eligible to dream. As a Legislator, I was a member of the National Committee of State Legislators and we commissioned a study to look at the education level of welfare recipients and found that we have a 80% chance or better of keeping someone from ever being on welfare if they have two years College education. This should be the main focus of the State. I so believe in the old saying that when you raise someone else's boat, you will find your own boat raised as well. This is how the State needs to be looking at welfare reform. The solution is right before them.
I have said, time and time again, on the Floor and in Committee and in Caucus at the Legislature, Com Colleges are there for the State of AZ to help us through the difficult times and they hang in there for all of us during State financial trials. Com Colleges help to reeducate those being laid off, they turn the economy around and then in the good times, the State forgets and rolls right over and past them when it comes time and the State has the ability to make it up to them. This has just got to stop! The State is two years or more behind on monies owed to Com Colleges. That has got to stop. I want interest and penalties added to late payments or delayed payments from the State to Com Colleges, just like the State would do you or I if we were late on a tax bill.
I believe that the Com College Board members need to be Ambassadors to the High Schools and help the students to know the difference a College Education will mean for their future. I will be that Ambassador. Com Colleges are the best kept secret and that is about to change. We need to build alumni success stories and alumni organizations that participate more with securing a successful future for their College. Find the success stories that can inspire and motivate the next generation and engage them in doing so.
These are just a few of my ideas that I can't wait to get started on once I am elected to the Board.
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