(Whittier, Calif.) – The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, recently elected Río Hondo College (RHC) Board of Trustee Oscar Valladares as Secretary-Treasurer.
ACCT represents more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.
As a Dreamer and product of the community college system, Valladares emphasized the importance of his lived experience and how that shapes his work.
“Through my experience, I’m able to continue to represent similar voices while cultivating change with policymakers and promoting educational opportunity for all,” said Trustee Valladares.
Over the last two decades, Valladares has dedicated his time to a career in public service and consistently advocates for supporting students’ basic needs, such as housing, mental health resources and food, to ensure all learners can thrive in school, regardless of their background.
ACCT supports strengthening basic needs and other student support programs that help community colleges nationwide meet the needs of underrepresented populations. As part of ACCT’s executive board, Valladares will work to amplify that voice and generate additional resources at the national level.
Currently, Trustee Valladares serves on the board of directors for ACCT. In his new role as Secretary-Treasurer for ACCT, which he will serve concurrently, Trustee Valladares will work closely with the organization’s chief financial officer and executive board.
“On behalf of Río Hondo College, we are so pleased to see our board of trustee be elected by his peers to represent this national organization,” said Dr. Marilyn Flores, superintendent/president for RHC. “ACCT brings together community college leaders to address challenges and find solutions to guide students to achieve educational success, and Trustee Valladares is at the forefront.”
Trustee Valladares was first elected to the Río Hondo College Board in 2018, and in 2022, he was reelected for his second, four-year term. Valladares represents Trustee Area 5 of East Whittier.
About ACCT:
The Association of Community College Trustees is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. For more information, go to www.acct.org.
PHOTO CAPTION: RHC_VALLADARES: Río Hondo College Board of Trustees Member Oscar Valladares was recently elected as Secretary-Treasurer for the Association of Community College Trustees, where he will work to support student needs and educational opportunities on a national level.
MEDIA RELEASE
3600 Workman Mill Road / Whittier, CA 90601
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2024
CONTACT: Dalilah Davaloz
(562) 692-0921
