SANTA ANA : College District Adds New Trustee

The Rancho Santiago Community College District board has sworn in Mara Brandman as its newest trustee.

Brandman, 46, an Orange resident and community activist, will serve out the unexpired term of John Dowden, who retired from the board in December.

She was one of 18 candidates interviewed for the post and was selected unanimously by the board at a special meeting last week. Her term as representative for Trustee Area 3 will expire in November.

Brandman said that her primary concern will be to “make certain that the fiscally sound manner in which the district has been run continues.”

She said she will encourage the board to support an extensive library on the Orange campus and a performing arts center for the district.

The two-year college has campuses in Santa Ana, Orange and Garden Grove.

Brandman’s community activities include work with the Gifted and Talented Education program in the Orange Unified School District and fund raising for Prentice Day School for children with dyslexia.