The Riverside Community College District (RCCD) Board of Trustees announced its officers for the upcoming year.
Mary Figueroa, the longest serving trustee, was first elected to the Board in 1995, and will serve as president. Figueroa’s community involvement began at the age of 16 when she volunteered for a local election campaign in order to earn high school credit in a government class. She went on to become involved in the neighborhood youth organizations formed in the 1970s, dealing with community gang activity and police conflict. Figueroa retired from the State of California Department of Corrections, where she worked as a correctional counselor. She received her high school diploma from John W. North High School and graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a bachelor’s degree in Chicano Studies and Political Science. She cites her education with providing the self-esteem and confidence needed to return her services to the community.
“For 24 years, I have advocated for education in the region,” Figueroa said. “An education allows for personal growth, sustainability and empowerment. RCCD is committed to ensuring the region has a well-trained workforce, but also that individuals have the means to support themselves as well as each other in order to make decisions that help establish a positive change in our communities.”
Bill Hedrick will serve as the Board’s vice president. He had a successful career in public education as a teacher and advocate. Prior to winning a seat on the Board, he was a member of the Corona-Norco Unified School District Board of Education.
The newest board member, Jose Alcala, will serve as the Board’s secretary. A graduate of Riverside City College, Alcala, who was elected in 2018, attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, and graduated with a degree in History. Two years later, he completed teacher preparation coursework at California State University, San Bernardino. Since 2003, Alcala has taught history at March Mountain High School in the Moreno Valley Unified School District.
Tracey Vackar, who was Board president for the last two years and Virginia Blumenthal will serve as members. Vackar, who was elected to the Board in 2014, is the executive director of College, Career and Economic Development for the Fontana Unified School District. Prior to being elected to the RCCD Board, Vackar served 22 years as a trustee for the Moreno Valley Unified School District Board of Education.
Blumenthal, a graduate of Riverside City College, is currently in her fourth term as a trustee after being first elected in 2006. President of Blumenthal Law Offices in Riverside, she holds a juris doctorate from California Southern Law School. Blumenthal has distinguished herself as an attorney, having been named one of the 77 Best Female Litigators in California and one of the 100 Most Influential Attorneys in California. She is also a noted community supporter and philanthropist.
Board positions are established for one year. The role of the Board of Trustees is to establish policies to assure the quality, integrity and effectiveness of the colleges’ programs and services as well as the financial stability of the District.