Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
Name: Jesus Silva
Age: 62
Current job title: Teacher/Business Owner
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Fullerton Mayor and Councilmember (Former)
City where you reside: Fullerton
Campaign website or social media: jsilva4communitycollege.com
What are the top two needs of your college district, and how are you prepared to address them? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
From the perspective of the Community College Board, the top two issues I will work to address if elected are:
1) Increasing middle skills training programs and partnerships with the private sector, trade associations and municipalities.
2) Maintaining a balanced budget and target funds to equip faculty with proper resources to educate students.
To you, what is the role of community college in education? Is it driving policy, being involved in curriculum, something else entirely? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
Both policy and curriculum should be focused on the singular goal of ensuring students have the resources to earn a certificate program and/or degree so they can secure employment or transfer and seek higher education.
In October, Long Beach City College will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus that will provide 431 total units to students. Is student housing a priority that your college should pursue? If so, explain how you intend to take on such an endeavor in a timely, cost-effective manner. If you don’t, how should your college district support students searching for affordable housing options near campus? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
The North Orange County Community College District must prioritize building more student housing. Housing instability is known to have negative impacts on student success, so this is very much a core educational issue. My background as a Fullerton City Council member and mayor uniquely prepares me for this task since I have a proven track record of being an effective advocate for building more housing.
What actions would you suggest to prevent a cyberattack similar to the Canvas data breach in May? How can your district ensure students’ information is safe? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
While the Canvas data breach was a nationwide cyberattack, there are local actions that the North Orange County Community College District can take to defend against future attacks. Teachers and students need to be better equipped with tools on how to identify and avoid deceptive phishing and scam messages or requests. Additionally, the Community College District should conduct a thorough audit of existing data security measures, internally and when third-party vendors are being utilized.
How do you feel artificial intelligence is, or isn’t, safe in the classroom? In what instances should it be expanded in the classroom? What about when it should be limited? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
Clearly, artificial intelligence is a transformative new technology that is constantly evolving. Within the realm of education, bad use cases are easy to identify — for example, a student using AI to write an essay on a book they have not, in fact, read. This is an instance of AI being used as a shortcut that actually prevents students from truly learning and gaining skills needed to thrive in the future. I believe that one of the fundamental challenges facing education at every level is how to find the good use cases for AI and how to teach students to use this powerful tool in ways that enhance their learning abilities.
How do you believe schools can better teach or engage students in civil discourse? How would you like to see your district tackle this issue? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
The most tangible way to ensure students are ready to engage in civil discourse is to ensure that they have the resources to learn and think critically.
What experiences and priorities do you bring to this role? What have you learned in prior leadership roles that makes you the person for the job? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I am a lifelong public servant, educator, and community leader who has dedicated his career to improving opportunities for students and strengthening their quality of life. I have served our community as a Fullerton City Council member and mayor, educated our children as a teacher, and as a Community College trustee, I will bring the skills I developed in the classroom and in City Hall to open doors, create opportunities, and be a voice for all of North Orange County.
If your campaign had a mascot, what would it be and why? (Please answer in 200 words or fewer.)
My campaign’s mascot would be Aries, the ram. Not only is this my astrological sign, but it is a symbol of confidence and determination that perfectly fits my passion for education and community service.
Bonus question: What is the best book you’ve read this year? Explain why you found it compelling.
“Bless Me, Ultima” by Rudolfo Anaya captures the poignant coming-of-age of Antonio Márez in 1940s New Mexico, a young boy torn between the conflicting dreams of his farming and vaquero parents. His path is ultimately guided by the profound wisdom of Ultima, a traditional curandera who comes to live with his family. Antonio’s journey perfectly mirrors the world I knew as a boy, watching my own grandmother and aunts gather desert herbs. They were our family’s healers, whispering fervent prayers and mixing ancestral remedies to heal sick neighbors and soothe feverish babies.
The novel serves as a powerful echo of my Mexican heritage, reviving memories of our deep-rooted faith and culture. But beyond the spiritual magic, Anaya captures the gritty reality of surviving unforgiving land. The Márez family’s hardships force me to reflect on the relentless struggles my parents, uncles, and aunts endured to scrape together a sustainable life. Ultimately, Antonio’s story reminds me of my parents’ greatest sacrifice: leaving their parents, brothers, and sisters to bring us here to California, gambling everything on the sheer hope of giving us a better future. Doing all this with very little education and not speaking English.