Xerxez Megino Calilung is running for the Coast Community College District Board of Trustees Area 5 seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Elizabeth Dorn Parker.
Asked why he is seeking office, Calilung said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am running for Coast Community College District Trustee Area 5 to restore fiscal discipline, expand career-connected education, and keep our colleges focused squarely on academic and vocational excellence. As a small business owner and former adjunct dental professor at USC, I see firsthand where policy meets the real world."
He added: "I am committed to commonsense governance free from divisive distractions, strengthening public-private partnerships, and ensuring every student gains practical skills to enter the local workforce debt-free or transfer seamlessly to a four-year university."
Candidate information
Party affiliation: "Republican and a candidate for a non-partisan position," Calilung said in our questionnaire.
Education: Calilung said in our questionnaire:
"Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC (1990) Undergraduate (B.S.) Biology/Pre-Dental Studies- University of California, Irvine (1986)"
Family: "Married to my wife, Celieto, a dedicated registered nurse. We are the proud parents of three adult children—Katarina (a pediatric dentist), Zachary, Carmen, and loving grandparents to four grandchildren: Gemma, Kaia, Juniper and Sienna," Calilung said in our questionnaire.
Endorsement: The Republican Party of Orange County lists Calilung among its 2026 endorsed candidates.
Experience and public service
Asked about his work history, Calilung said in our questionnaire:
"General Dentist and Small Business Owner, Dental Arts of Irvine (1990–Present) Former Adjunct Dental Professor, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC (Preclinical and Clinical Dentistry) Past President, Orange County Dental Society (2013) Current Board Component Representative, California Dental Association Past Committee Member, Costa Mesa Sanitary District Citizens Advisory Committee"
Asked about previous public service, Calilung said:
"Past Appointed Member, Costa Mesa Sanitary District Citizens Advisory Committee Past President, Orange County Dental Society (2013) Current Board Component Representative of Orange County Dental Society for the California Dental Association"
On the issues
Top three challenges facing the district: Asked to name the most important challenges and his plans to address them, Calilung said in our questionnaire:
"1. Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency: Facing shifting state funding, the district must protect taxpayers and classroom dollars. I will implement zero-based budget reviews, eliminate administrative redundancies, and direct resources directly to classrooms, faculty, and student support services.
- Workforce Alignment and Career Tech: Too many graduates face underemployment while local industries face acute labor shortages. I will partner directly with Orange County businesses, trade associations, and healthcare providers to create accelerated certificate programs and apprenticeship pathways in allied health, advanced technology, and skilled trades.
- Enrollment, Retention and Academic Excellence: Reversing enrollment declines requires real value. I will expand dual-enrollment programs for high schoolers, modern, secure instructional technology, and keep campus environments centered on free inquiry, merit, and career success."
What sets him apart: Asked about differences between himself and other candidates, Calilung said in our questionnaire: "The primary difference is my practical blend of private-sector fiscal management and higher-education instructional experience. Having balanced small-business payrolls, navigated regulatory compliance, and managed operating budgets for over three decades, I evaluate district finances with the discipline of a practitioner, not a career politician."
He added: "I view community colleges as workforce launching pads rather than political arenas. My focus is strictly on academic standards, modern vocational training, and responsible stewardship of local tax dollars."
Best advice: "Listen first with the intent to understand, treat people with dignity, and always measure success by the tangible results you deliver for others," Calilung said in our questionnaire.
Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire and are presented in the candidate's own words.
