Orange County NC Website
Page 2 of 3 Lee Storrow <br />Supplemental Questions: <br />both parties to advance our shared mission, and that experience would be beneficial serving on <br />a board that includes appointees from a Republican governorâ €™s administration and local <br />leaders appointed from more liberal boards. In my work with the NC AIDS Action Network, <br />I’ve worked closely with members of both political parties in the General Assembly, and <br />have been successful in maintaining funding and expanding the mission of the stateâ €™s AIDS <br />Drug Assistance Program with strong support from the current political leadership in Raleigh. A <br />major focus for the Board of Trustees in recent months has been increased fundraising efforts <br />for Durham Tech. I believe my political and non-profit fundraising background could be an asset <br />for the college, particularly as state revenue dedicated to higher education has declined in recent <br />years. I’ve built my non-profit’s corporate giving program, and have a strong background <br />in individual giving. Serving on the board of Strowd Roses Foundation has provided me an <br />opportunity to deepen my understanding and knowledge of the philanthropic sector. Although I <br />know this seat is intended to represent the needs of Orange County, I have strong relationships <br />with local elected officials in Durham, and have worked with leaders in the public health <br />community in Durham to advance tobacco and HIV prevention efforts over the years. I think I <br />can bring a collaborative energy that highlights the mutually beneficial relationship of a strong <br />Orange County Campus for the Durham Tech system. As we look to leadership of important <br />institutions in our community, I think itâ €™s important that they reflect the diversity of the <br />communities they serve, and know that is a priority of the Board of County Commissioners as <br />well. Over 70% of students enrolled in Durham Tech in the fall of 2015 were under the age of 35, <br />yet there are very few young members currently serving on the board of trustees. <br />Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: <br />I m interested in serving on the Durham Tech Community College board because I know <br />education is a vital component for a positive quality of life in our county and region. Durham <br />Tech (including the Orange County facilities in Hillsborough and Chapel Hill) serves a vital role <br />by training our workforce, improving educational outcomes for residents, and catalyzing <br />economic development. As a high school student, I benefited from enrolling in a political science <br />course at my local community college the spring semester of my senior year. I had the <br />opportunity to experience a more â €œgrown-up” environment on both the campus and in the <br />classroom that served as a bridge to prepare me for the environment at UNC-Chapel Hill the <br />next fall. Durham Tech has a diverse constituency and needs to serve the needs of numerous <br />students. High schoolers enrolled in Middle College, young professionals who arenâ €™t yet <br />ready for a four year college, foreign exchange students at UNC who need to improve their <br />English, and mid-career professional who need continuing education or to expand their horizons <br />are all served by Durham Tech. As a young professional, Iâ €™d like to serve on the board to <br />help represent the needs and interests of other young people in our community and help <br />connect students at Durham Tech to jobs in Orange County and our region. <br />Conflict of Interest: <br />Durham Technical Community College Board of Trustees <br />What improvements do you believe can be made so that DTCC better serves the <br />residents of Orange County? <br />The Orange County Campus of Durham Tech and the Orange County Skills and <br />Development/JobLink Center play a critical role in educating the citizens of our community. <br />As a member of the Board of Trustees, I d hope to support collaborative partnerships between <br />DTCC and employers in Orange County. The partnership between Morinaga & Co. and Durham <br />Tech is a great example of the kind of efforts we should be pursuing for our community, but <br />it’s just a drop in the bucket compared to our economic development needs. As the county <br />continues to think strategically about economic development efforts, including use of funds <br />generated from the sales tax passed several years ago, Durham Tech and the courses they <br />offer are a critical component to expanding our tax base. My work and leadership on the <br />Visitor’s Bureau Board has given me a strong understanding and foundation of county-wide <br />5