Candidates vying for positions on the Governing Board of Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) are preparing to address a complex landscape of challenges in higher education. With two six-year terms available, the competition features incumbent board chair Jody Pugh, former professor and faculty union president Stephen DeGiulio, and retired engineer Howard Roy Dittmer. A fourth candidate, Alan P. Jones, will also appear on the ballot, although he has stated that personal circumstances prevent him from campaigning or serving.
The election is scheduled for November 4, 2023, against a backdrop of increasing funding instability for colleges, particularly those serving Hispanic populations like SFCC. Recent data from WalletHub ranks SFCC as the top community college in New Mexico and seventh nationally, highlighting its strong faculty-to-student ratio and diverse income sources. These factors are becoming increasingly relevant as federal funding for higher education faces looming threats.
Pugh, who has served as board chair, emphasized the importance of strategic governance in her role. “Fiscally, the college has prepared for challenges,” she stated during an interview. Pugh, 69, draws parallels between the board’s responsibilities and her previous work with the National Nuclear Security Administration in Los Alamos. She portrays the board’s function as defining the college’s mission and collaborating with the president to implement that vision. Under her leadership, the board has been credited with enacting policies such as a parental leave initiative, which offers up to six weeks of paid leave for new faculty parents.
Pugh’s fellow board member, Piér Quintana, has opted not to seek reelection, citing the demands of her job and parenting responsibilities. In contrast, DeGiulio, 75, sees the role as a chance to contribute meaningfully to the college’s future. “I have the time,” he remarked, acknowledging the complexities involved in board meetings. He also expressed concerns about potential federal funding cuts but views this as an opportunity to eliminate wasteful spending.
DeGiulio advocates for a more student-centered approach, noting that SFCC can enhance its services for students facing similar challenges as they did in high school. With bilingual skills, he aims to promote greater use of Spanish within the institution, drawing from his decade of experience teaching internationally in Mexico and India.
Dittmer, 72, brings a wealth of engineering experience to the race, having spent decades leading manufacturing teams and serving on advisory boards. He identifies federal funding threats as a primary concern for institutions like SFCC and suggests diversifying funding sources as a solution. Dittmer intends to leverage his professional connections, particularly with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, to foster partnerships that would benefit students.
Reflecting on the current state of vocational education, Dittmer noted that societal attitudes have historically undervalued these programs. He believes strengthening SFCC’s career technical education offerings is crucial for preparing students for modern job markets.
Having recently relocated to Lamy, Dittmer is committed to engaging in local governance, while Pugh and DeGiulio have long histories of participation in various elections across the region. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences will shape the future of SFCC as it navigates the challenges posed by an uncertain funding environment.
As the board prepares for the upcoming election, the candidates are keenly aware that their decisions will have lasting impacts on the college, its students, and the broader community.
