Francis’ Priorities
1. Increasing Access and High School to College Pathways
We should ensure students can enroll in the courses they need when they need them, especially in high demand transfer pathways and career education programs. No student’s progress should be delayed by limited availability or a complicated enrollment process.
We can also strengthen the connection between high school and college. Expanding dual enrollment opportunities allows students to begin earning college credit earlier and build momentum toward a degree or certificate.
By working with local school districts such as La Cañada Unified School District and Pasadena Unified School District, we can create clear, accessible pathways that help students complete meaningful college coursework before graduating high school.
This approach helps students save time and money while giving families a stronger return on public education.
2. Pasadena City College as a Designated Community Resilience Center (CRC)
Pasadena City College plays an important role in supporting the community during emergencies, and we should build on that foundation.
By aligning with statewide resilience initiatives, PCC can pursue funding for infrastructure that strengthens its ability to serve during disruptions. This may include backup power, upgraded facilities, and resources that support students and residents when they need it most.
Positioning the college as a community resilience hub ensures it remains a reliable and prepared resource for the region, while also supporting long term campus sustainability.
3. Future-Ready Workforce & Responsible Technology
Pasadena City College should be preparing students for a rapidly evolving economy shaped by advances in digital tools, emerging technologies, and new modes of work across industries like entertainment, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
We have an opportunity to strengthen programs that help students apply new technologies to real world challenges such as wildfire resilience, water systems, and sustainable infrastructure, while staying grounded in the core skills that make our workforce adaptable and competitive.
Any integration of emerging technologies will be guided by clear human centered principles, developed in partnership with faculty, to ensure thoughtful implementation. This includes a strong commitment to data privacy, academic integrity, and equity.
Our goal is not to chase trends, but to ensure PCC students are equipped with relevant skills so technology enhances their opportunities and long term career mobility.
4. The Veteran & Worker Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Initiative
In a region where the median income exceeds 100,000 dollars, a college credential is often essential to accessing stable, well paying careers.
State law already allows colleges to award credit for prior learning, including military service and industry experience. We should fully embrace that authority. A military medic or an electrician with a decade of hands on experience should not have to repeat introductory coursework to prove what they already know.
By streamlining these pathways, we can help veterans and skilled workers complete their credentials faster and enter high quality roles at institutions like Huntington Hospital, JPL, and City of Hope.
This is not just about granting degrees. It is about removing unnecessary barriers so our neighbors can live, work, and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
5. Bond Accountability and Workforce Pathways
When we invest taxpayer dollars in new facilities at Pasadena City College, the goal should be more than new buildings. It should be about the students who learn in them and the careers they lead to.
The 565 million dollar bond is an opportunity to create spaces that connect education with real world experience. This includes modern labs, hands on training environments, and partnerships with employers that offer clear pathways into the workforce.
By aligning our facilities with the needs of local industries, we can ensure students graduate with relevant skills and direct access to good jobs. Every investment should strengthen that connection between the classroom and career opportunity.
6. Responsive and Professional Governance
Achieving these priorities requires a Board that operates with consistency, transparency, and a clear sense of purpose.
I will work to support a governance approach that emphasizes stability, accountability, and strong collaboration across the college. That means building productive relationships among the president, faculty, staff, and students, with a shared focus on student success and academic excellence.
Our role is to provide thoughtful oversight and strategic direction so Pasadena City College can move forward with confidence and continue serving the region effectively.
