Thank you for taking the time to visit my page. Since you made the effort to visit, I believe you are very likely someone who believes in education, our community, and the future of our region.

Like me, you probably think it's a good idea to also allow community colleges like Southwestern College to offer affordable 4 year degrees. That's why I dedicated 3 years of my life to help make that happen. I advocated and worked on legislation on behalf of South Bay students who want and need a more affordable, local option for higher education.

Perhaps you have a deeper, personal connection to Southwestern College. I first experienced the campus at a young age, joining my single mother at her evening classes because she couldn't afford childcare. Through hard work and dedication, she earned her degree at Southwestern College, and raised her children with an appreciation of the difference a good education can make.

When I was in high school, I took college courses offered by Southwestern College at my high school. Those courses helped me better prepare for my degree from UC Berkeley.

Like you, I am very proud of our fine community college. I know how much it means to our region, and how many students it helps elevate into great careers. Like you, I believe in wise and fair administration of public funds. We need to think 

strategically in order to protect and enhance the resource which has been part of our community for so many years.

Please trust me when I say that I have the professional background, experience, and commitment to be the public servant you hope I will be. The teachers of SWC have endorsed my candidacy, as have most of the leaders you have elected in the South Bay because they know me, they know my values, my accomplishments, and they are looking forward to working together to further elevate Southwestern College to be the best community college in California.

Thank you!

• I believe soci­ety should work for every­one, not just some.

• I believe gov­ern­ment can and should be a force for good. 

• I believe in ele­vat­ing every­one to a posi­tion of equal treat­ment, regard­less of class, race, eth­nic­ity, con­science, gender, sex­ual ori­en­ta­tion, gen­der expres­sion, national ori­gin, abil­ity, or his­tory of disenfranchisement.

Lander Iriarte, 34, has a background in financial services, and holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Sociology from Princeton Univeristy and an MBA from Rollins College. He is a long time resident of Chula Vista. He went to Chula Vista Hills Elementary, Bonita Vista Middle, and Bonita Vista High School. He is studying regenerative farming practices at Wild Willow farm. 

I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1976. I moved to Coronado in 1983 and attended Coronado public schools from 2nd-12th grades. My parents both reside in Coronado. My Dad is a retired Navy SEAL and my Mom is a retired nurse and preschool assistant. My older sister is a graduate of Southwestern College who went on to graduate from SFSU as an undergrad and USF as a Grad student. My younger brother is a gardener in Coronado and works twice as hard, day in and day out, than his mayoral brother :-)

I have served on the Coronado City Council for the past 14 years and I have led the Council as its Mayor for the past 8 years. I have concurrently been teaching AP US History at Coronado High School, full-time, for the past 17, going on 18 years.

My philosophy is to embrace George Washington's call in 1797 to avoid political parties and to instead embrace serving all segments of the public. If elected, I will ignore partisan politics and will focus on balancing the needs of students, taxpayers, and employees. I am endorsed by no political parties or unions. I will be devoted to the needs of my constituents and the many people who depend on SWCC for their pursuit of the American dream.

I am a 24 year veteran of the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office, over 40 year resident of San Diego County and 15 year resident of Eastlake. I know the challenges our communities face and education is one component of the solution.

As the product of a military family, I know the importance of duty, respect, and honor. 

I am a graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. I received a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, at Davis, School of Law.  

As an accomplished lawyer, respected leader, and trusted advisor, I have a passion for our youth, education, and voting.

As a small business owner, I opened a solo law office in Eastlake after retiring as a deputy public defender. I know the importance of honesty, integrity and efficiency.

Based on my long history of service to the community and legal profession, I was particularly honored to be named the 2016 79th Assembly District’s Woman of the Year.  

I know that education equals opportunity if it is available and accessible to everyone. With your support, I will bring my unique set of skills, abilities, and expertise to the Southwestern College Board of Governors.

I respectfully ask for your vote.

WILLIAM D. MCLEROY 

I have been a Southbay resident since 1960, attending elementary, junior high and high school in Southbay as well as Southwestern College.  I am a proud product of the education system here in South San Diego.  I have been in the US Army Reserves for 32 years.  I was a full time Fire Fighter for 23 years.  I graduated in the top 5% of the US Army’s Sergeant Major Academy.  I was a teacher at the US Army’s Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations School where I became the Department Head.  In 2008, I became the Commandant of the school.  During my time, the grade point average went up.  The cost to run the school also went down.  The Deputy Commander of the Army school system (TRADOC) implemented my methods in other US Army schools.  Your children and their education is my priority to ensure their future success.  I intend to make Southwestern College a premier school system that will be the model for other Colleges as the standard for a good, solid education and taxpayer dollars well invested.  The parents and students of Southwestern College deserve a board that is open and honest.