As a member of the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees, Dorothy Smith, also known as “Dottie”, has accomplished many things. She established the Anna Mae Candler Nursing Scholarship as well as the middle class students scholarship for students whose parents make too much for financial aid but not enough to pay all the cost of attending school.
Since her election into the Board in November of 1981, Smith has committed herself to doing what she could to do what she felt was bettering the district.
“People may doubt it but that’s what the job entails,” Smith said. “Dealing with the doubters comes with the territory.”
Smith, who is the longest serving member on the board lost in an election to Miguel Arias and will no longer be serving as the district 5 trustee.
Although Smith had already served 30 plus years on the Board, her plans for improving the district were not finished.
She planned to continue plans to work with local K-12 schools to ensure that all students are ready for college by the time that they get here.
“All students should have an opportunity to succeed.” Smith said.
Reports given from the California Community College Chancellor’s office show that students who are college ready and have no need to take remediation classes have a greater chance of college success.
“I am truly blessed, when I think back on all of the things that we have done.” Smith said.
With her term coming to an end in January 2015, after 33 years of service to the district some wonder what will happen moving forward with the board of trustees.
“She has been a pioneer for minority women who might consider or be remotely interested in serving their communities in ways other than being PTA moms.” said Dr. Jenine Brown, English instructor at Fresno City College.
Brown, while explaining how Smith has inspired her, said that as minority woman sometimes to truly believe that success is possible you need to see someone that “looks like you succeed” and that Smith has provided that for many young women today.
