COC board candidates ready for challenge

Incumbent Joan MacGregor and challenger Ann-Marie Bjorkman discuss issues important to them

There are two individuals vying for a seat in Area 5 of the Santa Clarita Community College District. Incumbent Joan MacGregor and challenger Ann-Marie Bjorkman have been busy campaigning, looking for endorsements and reaching out to the voters in their area.

MacGregor has been on the College of the Canyons Board of Trustees for 25 years. Before that, she served as a board member for Sulphur Springs School District another 20 years. While some are looking for new faces, MacGregor said experience is a plus when growing a college campus, securing funding and advocating for the students.

“Obviously, experience is important, but my passion is what keeps me going,” MacGregor said. “The growth and changes we’ve been able to do — like building the new Science building — I’ve worked hard to get that site built.”

But MacGregor is also quick to add new blood is a benefit if the individual has done their homework and has an understanding of what it takes to be a board member.

“When you are going to run for an office, you need to know what you are getting into,” she said. “Be at board meetings. Be on campus. Go to events. Be supportive.”

As for what is next on the college agenda, MacGregor believes it is important to address the high cost of textbooks and the long waiting for certain classes. She believes the college might have to eliminate some of the fringe classes and focus on core classes. She is also concerned about the new state funding formula for community colleges.

“Advocacy is very important,” MacGregor said. “We need to be looking at alternative sources of income and make sure our college is not hampered by what the state has decided to do (with funding).”

MacGregor has received the endorsement of both college faculty and classified staff and has a long list of other supporters on her website.

For more information regarding MacGregor’s campaign, you can log on to joanmacgregor4coc.com

Ann-Marie Bjorkman is running against incumbent Joan MacGregor. This is the first election for long-time Santa Clarita resident Bjorkman. She said she looked at the College of the Canyons board of trustees seat as an opportunity to continue her work with the young students in the valley.

“I’m with teens just about every day,” Bjorkman said. “Many do not have plans after high school. I want to make sure they know what is available to them at COC.”

Bjorkman said her work in the nonprofit field has given her the experience needed to help advocate for the college and its students. As current president of the Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club, Bjorkman has raised thousands of dollars for the club over the past several years. She and her husband Mike have chaired the annual Boys & Girls Club auction for the last four years. She believes in a strong work ethic and going above and beyond to help others reach their goals.

“When I put my name on something, you’re getting 150 percent,” Bjorkman said.

A big priority for Bjorkman is getting into the high schools and reaching out to the students, starting in their freshman year, and letting them know what is available to them at COC. This information needs to be reinforced every year, she said, until they graduate from high school.

Bjorkman would also like to expand programs that help students get the education needed for high-demand and high-wage careers as well as enhancing programs that help students transfer into a four-year university.

When it comes to mounting a campaign, Bjorkman acknowledges she is a novice.

“I’m not political, and I take my hat off to the people who do this,” she said. “I feel the (COC board of trustees) is strong, the college is something to be celebrated. It just needs more energy. I have that.”

For more information on Bjorkman and her campaign, log into annmariebjorkman4coc.com.

Obviously, experience is important, but my passion is what keeps me going.” Joan MacGregor, COC Board of Trustees candidate

When I put my name on something, you’re getting 150 percent.” Ann-Marie Bjorkman, COC Board of Trustees candidate