The Community College League of California at its April 30 conference will honor Riverside Community College District trustee Mary Figueroa for two decades of service to the community and access to higher education. The CCLC recognizes trustees who have achieved 20 and 30-year milestones, citing their dedication and contributions to California community colleges.

Figueroa and six other California community college trustees will be recognized for 20 years of service and three trustees who have achieved 30 years of service.

Figueroa was first elected to the RCCD Board of Trustees in 1995, having emerged from a crowded field of 11 candidates for one open seat.

“I didn’t start out expecting that I would be a trustee 20 years later,” Figueroa said. “The main motivation for continuing, is the need I see to serve this diverse community.”  Figueroa has seen firsthand the accomplishments of students at Moreno Valley, Norco and Riverside City colleges as well as the transformation of the District over the past two decades.

Figueroa cited RCC’s Passport to College as one of the programs that stands out during her tenure on the Board. “I believe that Passport to College set the tone for our outreach and connecting with K-12 school districts in the District area,” Figueroa said. “Because of it, we established communication with our K-12 partners, a partnership that has continued on to this day. RCCD has become a national model for community college and K-12 partnerships.  It has been an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees for the RCCD, I look forward to continuing to lead students and serve this community,” In addition to her local contributions and service, Figueroa serves as a member of the national board of directors of the Association of Community College Trustees advocating and advancing higher education for community colleges at the national level.