Danielle Davenport: Two vie to represent South Valley on Gavilan College Board of Trustees

Published in the September 21 – October 4, 2016 issue of Gilroy Life

By Danielle Davenport

Danielle Davenport

My story is like that of many of our students. The first in my immediate family to attend college and raised by a single father here in the Bay Area, I know that education, along with hard work, pays off. I am committed to ensuring that all people have access to an affordable, quality education where they achieve their highest potential. I decided to run for Gavilan trustee because I wanted the same exceptional educational opportunity for my daughters that I was provided 30 years ago by De Anza Community College.

As a community leader, engaged parent, and college educator, I see several opportunities for Gavilan. First, we need to increase our transfer and graduation rates. I’ve taught computer science at several community colleges and I see the challenges many minority and low income students face. I also recognize the growing student frustration on quality, relevancy and frequency of available courses. Yes, we need to address the basic education gap in high school graduates, but we also need to provide a seamless and swift transfer to four-year institutions and create certification programs which land graduates into top-paying jobs. I will provide all students with the necessary resources for achieving their post-secondary goals.

As an experienced business executive, I understand the need for innovation and the demand for excellence. Gavilan must increase student enrollment, and, like many corporations, it must continuously improve to attract new customers. My goal for Gavilan is to optimize every student’s engagement with the right courses at the right times. We must increase our regional viability by using online, hybrid, and traditional courses and offer career pathways to the corporations that are hiring. I plan to engage business partners to offer training opportunities both in the South Bay and the greater Silicon Valley for technology focused experiences.

Lastly, we need to mend community relations. We must strike a balance with all stake-holders and provide a comprehensive strategy which meets the needs of our diverse population. As an experienced global leader, I know how to manage competing priorities, cultural complexities and billion-dollar budgets with professionalism and results. I will improve fiscal transparency and deliver a comprehensive strategy while maintaining a culture of respect and collaboration. If you want a top-notch institution for our region, with high-paying career pathways and access to innovation and business partnerships for our students, your choice is clear. Vote “Davenport.”

For more information, visit www.Davenport4Trustee.com.