Agenda - 06-06-2017-11-g - Orange Water & Sewer Authority Board of Directors - Appointment

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17 Page 2 of 3 Matt Hughes Durham Technical Community College Board of Trustees Background, education and experience relevant to this board: As someone who worked in higher education and with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I know firsthand how critical it is that we have a higher education system that works for everyone.At DPI I worked with Superintendent Atkinson as she sought greater cooperation with the Community College system as part of an effort to provide students with more opportunities while still in high school. At UNC, our students take courses in their local communities over the summer to attain credit for coursework towards their degree and many students attend the community colleges before coming to the University for their junior and senior years. In both institutions the community college system is critical for the success of every student, our economy, and the state. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: Throughout my experiences I have learned how the community college system is an important, and occasionally overlooked, piece of our public education system. The community college system is at an intersection for students who are exploring careers, preparing for four year institutions, seeking job training, or simply furthering themselves. I have witnessed students who were able to attain their certification as a CNA, allowing them to work during their college years while also pursuing their RN degress. That is because of programs offered by our community colleges. They go into four year institutions with a significant leg up on their campuses and in their programs. Other students attend community colleges during their high school years while earning credit that allows them to both earn credit to graduate high school and earn credit towards their bachelor degree in our state universities. I am committed to the success of our community colleges because of the role it plays for state s students. We need someone to serve as our representative on the DTCC board who is committed to that success, but also committed to working with both of our county s school systems to ensure students know of and have access to all of the opportunities to DTCC provides. Additionally, I am committed to the goal of making our students college, career, and citizenship ready and believe that DTCC and all 50 of our state s community colleges are an integral part of that mission. Just as important to our community is the opportunity to enhance job training and skills development. As we work to bring more businesses to Orange County, they will require potential employees with the skills and training required. DTCC is a vital asset to growing our local talent pool right here in Orange County that will allow our county and our residents to compete with communities across the state and country.As a trustee, I will be 100% committed to ensuring we stay ahead of the game when it comes to job skills development for DTCC generally and the Orange County campus in particular. However, our representative will have to be committed to limiting the burden to attend classes with DTCC. With the default rate among community college students on the rise, our representative will have be committed to ensuring affordability. Programs must remain affordable for students with innovative ways to help students graduate with as little debt as possible. Conflict of Interest: No. Supplemental Questions: Boards/Commissions appointments: Orange County Board of Adjustment(REQUIRES DISCLOSURE STATEMENT) Application Date: 9/2/2015 Background, education and experience relevant to this board: In various roles I have held, I have had to be an fair and independent arbiter in determining facts and ensuring that decisions are made reflecting those facts as well as official policies and procedures. One body I currently sit on, the Human Relations C