The Gazette

I am proud to announce my candidacy to serve as the Marina-area trustee on the Monterey Peninsula Community College (MPC) Governing Board of Trustees. I would be honored to represent our world class City of Marina while supporting the community college I have long esteemed. After having served as a career soldier for twenty-three years (retiring as colonel), defending our constitution and freedoms, I am excited about this opportunity to participate in the democratic process as a Marina resident. I feel my education and experience, both military and civilian, qualify me for this position, in which I will provide leadership and vision for our new education center. I believe Marina needs a representative who can command the academic respect of MPC board members and its Superintendent/President, all of whom hold doctoral degrees, and to provide diversity in the currently all-male board. My military expertise in plans, policy, strategy, public affairs, and program budget management is well suited to the role and responsibility of Trustee. In addition to completing three masters degrees and a doctorate, I have teaching experience at the university level, serving as an Assistant Professor at both the United States Military Academy at West Point and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Additionally, I know MPC very well. I have spent many years in the Lifelong Learning Program, have forged strong bonds with faculty, students, and staff alike, and am a member of the MPC Foundation that provides financial support to the college. As our Marina MPC Education Center expands from its current 600 student enrollment to a projected 2,500 students, I want to advocate for innovative educational and vocational curriculum choices that will meet the needs, interests, and dreams of our community, and provide future career possibilities for generations to come.

I have demonstrated my dedication to Marina and to our community at large by serving on the Monterey County Mental Health Commission, representing Supervisor District 4 (which includes Marina); the Marina Economic Development Commission (I conceived and spearheaded the new Marina Business Ambassador Program); the James Foundation for Alternative Behavioral Recovery (CEO); Marina Youth Arts; Citizens for a Sustainable Marina; League of Women Voters; French Alliance of the Monterey Peninsula; Leadership Monterey Peninsula. Coming from a military family, and having lost my older brother, a U.S. Army Special Forces Captain, to war, I can relate well to the circumstances of our military families and our valued veterans.

As your Trustee, I will ensure the new Marina MPC facilities are built with green sustainable technology, that its opportunities reflect our diversity, that outreach efforts magnetize people from other cities to participate in our education, culture, and businesses, and ensure that the college maintains its solid fiscal stability. I am confident MPC will be the source of new job growth and creation in our community, thereby contributing substantially to our city’s economic well-being and first-class educational opportunities.

It would be a joy to meet with you to learn about your inputs and to work together for a future of excellence for our new Marina MPC Education Center. Thank you so much. You can reach me at (831) 384-7881 or coppernoll4trustee@att.net.