As a native Texan and the longest-serving Latina elected leader in North Texas, I have dedicated over twenty years serving our community and influencing decisions that guide pathways to higher learning, impacting the trajectory of our community.  

As your dedicated District 6 leader, I have worked together with you, educators, students, neighbors, and other community leaders to identify the needs of the district and ensure positive change.  Together we have produced dynamic results maintaining low tuition rates and low tax rates, all while creating opportunities for student success. 

As the first of  my immediate family to graduate from high school and the only one to graduate from college, I know what a college education means for those living in poverty – it shifts generations.  I am testament to that. That is why I remain steadfastly committed to advocate for policies and programs that strengthen pathways to a college education for all students, but especially for first-generation students.

There are hundreds upon thousands of first generation students who have come through the doors of our colleges and successfully completed their first two years with us and gone on to a university to complete their bachelor’s degree, with some moving on to the master’s and the doctor’s degrees! Some have earned certificates that provide them with needed workforce skills.

It is exciting and humbling to be a part of that process by shaping the policy that creates transformational  programs of study and supports the needs of our students! One policy that I am most proud of is when I led the effort in 1998 for DCCCD to allow undocumented students to enroll in our colleges paying resident tuition. DCCCD was the first in the nation to do so. Now, Texas and 17 other states have in-state tuition for undocumented students. A proud accomplishment!

While  It has been an honor to represent you, the work is not done. We must remain focused on improving educational access for students and allow them to begin their family’s path to a brighter future. 

Again, it has been an honor to serve you and I look forward to continuing to  work with you to improve our community – one student and one family at a time. I ask for your support and your vote.

Gracias