Elizabeth Dorn Parker is running for re-election to the Coast Community College District Board of Trustees, Area 5, in the Nov. 3 California General Election. Xerxez Megino Calilung also seeks the seat.

Parker, who serves as board president, said in our candidate questionnaire that she is seeking re-election because "with over 3 decades of elected leadership in the TK-12 to community college spaces, I understand the shifting needs of both high school students and community college students." She said the district's systems "are undergoing a huge change in needs, opportunities and workforce requirements like no other time in community college history."

Candidate information

Party: "[T]his is a non partisan office," Parker said in our questionnaire.

Education: "Graduated from Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Corona Del Mar HS (attending elementary through high school in the district). Bachelors of Arts in Art History from UCLA, Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from Cal State University, Fullerton, Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Community College Leadership from Cal State University, Fullerton," Parker said in our questionnaire.

Family: "Married to my high school sweetheart, 2 sons who graduated from Newport Harbor High School (and also attended 'little Kaiser', Kaiser, Ensign)," Parker said in our questionnaire.

Residence: Costa Mesa, according to the Coast Community College District website.

Experience and public service

Asked about her work history, Parker said in our questionnaire: "My entire professional and elected career has been devoted to students and our community most locked out of educational opportunities. These included those students incarcerated, in foster care, kicked out, dropped out and or bullied out of traditional high schools." She said her "final stop" was "working in the Orange Coast College Foundation as a development specialist, outreach, grant writing, and connections to philanthropic funding."

Asked about previous offices, Parker said: "For over 3 decades (1982- 2014) I served as the elected trustee of the Orange County Board of Education." She added that she is "appointed as a commissioner for 6 years on the Costa Mesa Parks and Community Services Commission" and is "currently elected for this position, as the Governing Board Member of the Coast Community College District, District 5."

Parker was first appointed to the Coast Community College District Board in July 2022 and elected in November 2022, according to a district news release.

On the issues

Top challenges facing the district: Parker identified three priorities in our questionnaire. On budgets: "The state budget funds the district, so that is always the greatest challenge facing Coast. Steps already accomplished and will continue: stabilize the current budgets by providing additional revenue, as well as match our expenditures to our students enrollment and needs to enter and complete their educational goals." On technology: "The next challenge is AI, how this new technology is changing the world of our educational systems and the world our students are in." On enrollment: "The last challenge is the extreme shifts in student enrollment, solution already in motion and to continue: ongoing planning using data of who and how the students can attend their classes and then connecting with the business/employment/unions to confirm our courses offered are aligned with the needs of the county's workforce."

Differences with opponent: Parker said: "Critical difference with my opponent is my deep roots in this district, extensive volunteer work … my expertise in the educational and political systems, and professional career supporting educational opportunities for students most likely to be enrolled in community colleges."

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire and are presented in the candidate's own words. The Nov. 3 election covers Coast Community College District Board Area 5.