Two new trustees will join the State Center Community College District board of trustees in January.

Miguel Angel Arias and Bobby Khan defeated long serving trustees Dorothy “Dottie” Smith and Isabel Barreras in last month’s elections.

Arias said he believes that the future is about technology and hopes to change the district c to a more technologically  forward place for students. He said voters chose him because they want a better system for our students and city.  Among Arias’ plans for a better system is working closer with local school districts.

“By partnering with our local K-12 school districts, we can ensure students enter community college better prepared to achieve graduation,” Arias said.  “This also means strengthening the transfer rate to four year universities.”

A native of Mendota, a rural agricultural community in western Fresno County, Arias grew up in a family who labored in the fields as farmworkers. After graduating from Mendota High School, he attended California State University, Fresno where he studied Criminology and Chicano/ Latino Studies.

While at CSU Fresno, he accepted a position with the U.S. House of Representatives as a district representative and legislative assistant to Congressman Calvin Dooley in both the Fresno and Washington D.C. offices.

During his time in Washington D.C., Arias established an immigration education program and staffed the Bipartisan House Task Force on Immigration Reform. Arias identifies himself as a professional problem solver.

Bobby Kahn said he ran to join the board of trustees to “gain new voices for Madera campus particularly,” a goal he describes as his “number one priority.” Kahn’s second goal is “to bring a stronger business mind to the board.” He was the former chairman and is currently treasurer of the California Central Valley Economic Development Corp.

Kahn has spent 12 years as a member of the California Association for Local Economic Development and serves on their Legislative Action Committee.

In March 2002, he also accepted the position of executive director of the Madera County Economic Development Commission (MCEDC), a Joint Powers Agency formed through an agreement between the City of Madera, City of Chowchilla and the County of Madera. Khan handles all economic development related issues, including commercial and industrial development projects for all three jurisdictions.

He holds a bachelor of science degree from Pepperdine University and spent approximately 20 years in the real estate brokerage business.

“I want to make sure the students know that it’s important for the board members to hear their perspective,” Kahn said. “They bring to us their ideas and we work together, and as we work toward solutions, the students work toward solutions as well.”

A reception is planned to welcome the new trustees in the chancellor’s office on Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m., right before the board of trustees meeting.