Shana Christina Jenkins

Name: Shana Christina Jenkins

Age: 25

Birthplace: Montebello, Calif.

Residence: Garden Grove

Occupation: community volunteer

Education: associate’s degree from Orange Coast College in 2005, bachelor’s degree from UCLA 2007

Experience as an educator: I have worked as a leadership instructor for teens and young adults. I have also instructed community groups and small businesses on how to create and execute more efficient public affairs and community outreach strategies.

Previously elected or appointed positions: president, Orange Coast Alumni & Friends Assn.; trustee, Associated Students Orange Coast College

Community organizations you belong to: Orange Coast College Alumni & Friends Assn.

Why should constituents vote for you?

As a former student leader and Coast Community College District alumna, I will have great insight into what the students actually want and need, and be able to effectively foster communications between the district and its 50,000 students.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing your district and how do you plan to address it?

State-wide budget cuts are a serious problem facing the district. Unfortunately, these cuts affect everyone and the district has limited impact on state-wide budget outcomes. The district does, however, have the ability to cut back on district overhead spending in times of budget crises in order to keep money in the classroom. If elected, I would insist on reducing wasteful spending in the district and focus the distribution of scarce funds on the students.

In the last year, what is one issue that you think the sitting board members handled well and why?

I believe the current board handled the selection of new college presidents and the chancellor very well by including the campuses in that decision-making process. Transparency and inclusion are important qualities for the board to practice as well as preach. If elected, I will encourage increased transparency and inclusion between the board and the colleges.

In the last year, what is one issue the board got wrong and what would you have done differently?

The current board has wrongly put politics and district overhead spending above the needs of the students. This board has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on outside lawyers, overpaid for land for the new Coastline building simply to have a Newport Beach address, and is one of the few community college districts in the state to have private offices for part-time trustees. With the current budget crises, the board’s actions have wasted money and time that could have been better spent on my goal of meeting the needs of the students.