Edel and her husband, Charlie Armstrong, have lived in Santa Clarita for 29 years and love this valley. A life-long educator, for the last 16 years of her career, she was a counselor and a teacher at College of the Canyons (COC). Prior to COC, she worked for the Wm. S. Hart High School District as a counselor, first at Hart High and then at Valencia. 

PASSION

Edel is passionate about teaching and learning and giving students access to support services and quality education. She believes in providing educational opportunities that combine academic learning with technical training to prepare students for successful careers. Having taught and counseled at the high school, community college and university level, she dedicated her professional life to helping students succeed and achieve their personal, career and educational goals. She earned a Master degree in Counseling an a Doctorate in Educational and Organizational Leadership. Her enthusiasm and energy is genuine and earns her admiration and respect. 

EXPERIENCE

Edel has counseled and taught students at the high school, community college and university levels during her 40 year career as an educator. She believes in both high academic standards and high tech job training. In addition, she served as Academic Senate President at COC. She has worked alongside administrators to develop policies and procedures, to resolve funding challenges, and to improve quality and services. These diverse roles have gained her the valuable practical experience needed to be an outstanding member of the Board of Trustees.

LEADERSHIP

In celebrating her 15 years of service at COC, the college noted that Edel is truly an "inspirational leader, loved and admired." She served two terms as President of the faculty's Academic Senate. She also chaired the faculty Qualifications Committee and co-chaired the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Budget. Additionally, she was a member of the College Policy Council and a member of the College's Planning Team. Through these experiences, Edel illustrated her collegiality and ability to collaborate with Board members, administrators, classified employees, full and part-time faculty and students alike. She is an independent thinker who reviews data, considers options, and the effect of decisions on students and community.

COMMITMENT

Edel believes in transparency and accountability for all public officials.
As a Trustee, she will be committed to: 
* Making decisions based on budget priorities that always put students first
* Maintaining high standards of excellence and ethics
* Ensuring access to programs and services for all students including the abled and disabled 
* Practicing open communication and televising board meetings
* Maintaining facilities for optimum learning
* Using common sense and sound judgment on legal matters to avoid costly lawsuits
* Exercising transparency on fiscal matters so taxpayers can hold trustees accountable for their decision

My name is Ronda Baldwin-Kennedy, I have two daughters that attend College of the Canyons, I am a mother of 3 ½ triplets. I currently run my own law practice in Valencia.  I am currently corporate council for several corporations.  I have experience in corporate law, including contact negotiations.  I know what it means to be a public servant, I was a City of Milwaukee building inspector for 6 years. There I protected the community from special interest groups, who wanted to use our department to drive property owners out in order to acquire their land for developers.  I refused to play ball then and I will refuse to play ball on the board if it means going against the interest of the community.  As an attorney I know what i means to put the interest of your client above your own, I will do the same for the community interest. I believe in terms limits. I am the only candidate who is an independent business owner with no ties to the college other than being a former student and having two daughters currently attending. I am not beholden to anyone other than the community for which I would humbly serve. When it is time to fight for what is right I will not back down.