El Paso Community College (EPCC) has inducted three new trustees into its Board at a recent meeting held yesterday, according to an EPCC news release. Diana Y. Mooy, Jesus Mendez, and Carmen Olivas-Graham took their oaths for their respective districts during an assembly at the EPCC Administrative Services Center. Mooy will be overseeing District 6, bringing her technology expertise from the Ysleta Independent School District. Jesus Mendez, completing a full term for District 4, brings his business acumen as an owner of Winsupply of West El Paso and Vice President of Common Cents Investment Group. Olivas-Graham continues her service unopposed, representing District 5, and blends her 40 years of educational experience with her administrative role in the Socorro Independent School District.
Both Mooy and Mendez come from backgrounds enriched by EPCC itself, Mooy having spent a transitional year at the community college before heading to UTEP, and Mendez having acquired his Welding certificate from the institution. "I took a year here at EPCC between my transition from high school to UTEP, so it's absolutely the best place to start!” Mooy stated, as per EPCC News, echoing her commitment to bridging education with opportunity. Mendez, with his experience on the board thus far being described as fantastic, aims to ensure that “every student that comes to EPCC, that they have all the resources they need, and will graduate and be successful," he said, as obtained by EPCC News.
The extensive backgrounds in education and involvement within their communities seem to be a common thread among the new trustees. Besides Mooy's 17 years in education, Mendez brings a diversified experience, stretching from Western Tech, Austin Community College, to his license as an irrigator over a 33-year span. On the other hand, Olivas-Graham bears the distinction of 40 years in educational service, expressing a profound "love for education in the community,” as well as pride in EPCC's collaboration with various sectors ranging from school districts to veteran and military communities, and business and industry.
Leadership changes also took place in the board's officers, with Judge Brian Haggerty securing his position as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Bonnie Soria Najera stepping up as Vice-Chair, and Dr. Carmen Olivas Graham assuming the role of Secretary. EPCC's Board demonstrates a continuous effort to empower the community through access to "affordable, top-quality education," a commitment that Olivas Graham reiterated during her outlook on the board's vision for student success, as EPCC News reports.
