Four seats are up for election to the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees, but only one seat is contested. In the race to represent Area 2, which encompasses portions of Fresno and Clovis, communications professional Nasreen Michelle Johnson is seeking her second term on the board. The challenger is Pablo Villagrana, president of the Iron Workers Local 155 in Fresno.

Incumbents Danielle Parra and Deborah Ikeda are retaining their Areas 3 and 6 seats on the board and will be joined by local businessman Austin Ewell. He was the only candidate to file for the Area 7 seat now held by Richard Caglia, who decided not to seek re-election.

GV Wire reached out to Johnson and Villagrana to hear their thoughts on the main issues, their stand on the $698 million Measure Q bond measure, and to learn about their backgrounds, why they are running for office, and why Area 2 voters should elect them.

The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

Nasreen Michelle Johnson

Who are you (brief profile with age, hometown, occupation, family)?

I am 43 years old and have lived in Fresno since the second grade. I’m a 20+-year communications professional who has owned a small business and worked in nonprofit, agricultural, and industrial sectors. I’m a proud first-generation college graduate with an AA degree from Fresno City College. I have a passion for education and a strong understanding of business principles, having earned my bachelor’s in business management and my MBA in global business from Fresno Pacific University. I’m also a proud mom of two community college students and three rescue dogs. I love supporting community events, and I am an avid volunteer.

Why are you running for trustee?

I’m running for re-election because I believe in the power of higher education to transform lives and be a pathway out of poverty. I understand many of the challenges our students face, having navigated through the higher education system without a guide, dropping out multiple times, and then returning to complete my bachelor’s degree as a single, full-time, working mom. Not everyone has a direct path through life, many of us have detours. I want to continue serving on the board to ensure that SCCCD provides accessible, high-quality education for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Why should people elect you?

I bring a unique blend of passion for our community, lived experience, and formal education to the board. My commitment to student success is proven through my efforts to make college more affordable for students by supporting and funding the creation of no-cost course materials, increasing access to basic needs resources, and expanding access to paid work experience and internship opportunities. Having worked in offices as well as agricultural, manufacturing, and heavy industries, I understand the diverse skill set and critical thinking skills local employers need. I am proud of the investment we have made in new programs and partnerships to prepare students for in-demand jobs in the Central Valley. I have championed policies to help improve access, remove barriers for students, and welcome everyone on our campuses. Student enrollment has increased above pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating the value residents see in our local community colleges.

Being a trustee is more than photo ops and ribbon cuttings. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work to learn about the wide range of topics that come before the board. I gladly put in the work necessary to make informed and independent decisions. I’m ready to continue fighting for our students, our staff, and our community to ensure SCCCD remains a beacon of opportunity for all.

What are the district’s top three issues, and how would you address them?

Student success: We need to continue to expand programs that support student success, like academic counseling services, mental health resources, and addressing basic needs. I’ll advocate for increased funding and partnerships to provide resources to help students stay in school to achieve their goals.

Workforce development: The Central Valley needs a skilled workforce. I’ll work to expand career technical education programs and build partnerships with local businesses to ensure students are prepared for in-demand jobs.

Facilities and infrastructure: Our colleges need modern facilities to provide a high-quality learning environment. I’ll support investment in our infrastructure to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students.

Do you support Measure Q or not, and why are you in support/not in support?

I strongly support Measure Q. Some of our buildings are 70+ years old and greatly need to be updated and modernized to meet the needs of our students. Measure Q will provide the funding necessary to address critical infrastructure needs, including essential upgrades and maintenance.

Specifically, Measure Q will allow us to expand and improve nursing, paramedic, firefighter, police, agriculture, manufacturing, and vocational training programs to directly address the workforce needs of our region, ensuring we have a skilled and qualified workforce to meet the demands of our growing economy.

It isn’t terribly sexy, but Measure Q will also provide funds to fix leaky roofs, asbestos, lead paint, and sewer lines to create a safer and healthier learning environment for our students and staff.

I hope voters will see that Measure Q is a smart investment in our whole community’s future. It will allow us to create a better learning environment for our students, prepare them for in-demand jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our community colleges.

Wild card question: Choose a question that is not any of the above and then answer it.

Q: Community colleges can now offer select bachelor’s degrees. Do you support community colleges offering a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) degree?

A: The nursing shortage is a critical issue, particularly in rural and underserved areas like the Central Valley. Community colleges are uniquely positioned to address this shortage by providing accessible and affordable education for aspiring nurses.

We lose nursing students to private four-year universities, which can cost over $100,000, and to out-of-state programs because other states offer community college BSNs. Both of these options are often inaccessible for students from low-income backgrounds or those who need to stay local while attending school.

Offering bachelor’s degrees in nursing at community colleges would not only benefit students but also build a skilled local workforce. This would create more job opportunities and improve access to quality healthcare in the Central Valley.

Community colleges already have established nursing programs and experienced faculty. Expanding these programs to offer bachelor’s degrees would leverage existing resources and expertise, making the transition more efficient and cost-effective. It would be a win-win for students, communities, and the healthcare system as a whole.

Pablo Villagrana

Who are you (brief profile with age, hometown, occupation, family)?

I was born and raised in the city of Fresno. I was raised by a single mother who supported my siblings and me as a farmworker. She instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and the importance of education. I’ve worked in the construction and building industry for nearly two decades, where I’ve spent many years developing trade skills and helping train and mentor workers who are new to the industry. As a husband and father of two, I’m deeply committed to creating a brighter future for the next generation, and I believe that begins with providing quality education for all.

My personal journey in skilled labor, workforce development, and training others has driven my passion for expanding educational opportunities, especially in skilled trades, to help students build successful careers.

Why are you running for trustee?

I’m running for SCCCD Trustee to bring a unique and much-needed perspective to the board as someone with firsthand experience in the construction and building trades. Having built my career through skilled trades, I understand how essential it is to provide students with real pathways to success in skilled careers. If elected, I would be the only trustee with experience in vocational education, allowing me to contribute valuable insight into strengthening SCCCD’s vocational education programs.

I’m passionate about expanding opportunities for students pursuing trades and ensuring that they receive the best possible training to thrive in today’s competitive workforce, while continuing to support our students who are university-bound.

Why should people elect you?

The residents of Trustee Area 2 should elect me to represent them on the SCCCD board because I bring a unique perspective and real-world experience that will benefit both students and the community at-large. As someone who built a successful career through skilled labor and mentoring others in vocational education, I understand the critical role that education plays in providing real opportunities for students. My background in the construction and building industry gives me insight into the skills needed in today’s workforce, and I am committed to ensuring that SCCCD’s vocational programs reflect that while preparing students for lifelong careers in the trades and beyond.

Electing me means choosing someone who will work tirelessly to expand opportunities and support student success at SCCCD.

What are the district’s top three issues, and how would you address them?

The district’s top three issues are expanding access to vocational training, supporting educators, and ensuring equitable student success. Many students are pursuing careers in trades, but stronger vocational programs are needed. As SCCCD trustee, I’ll work to enhance these programs by creating partnerships with local businesses, unions, and industries to provide more hands-on learning opportunities.

Educators are essential to student success, yet they often lack adequate resources and support. I’ll advocate for fair compensation, professional development, and the tools teachers need to continue inspiring students.

Lastly, many students face barriers to completing their education, such as financial challenges and limited support services. I’ll focus on expanding financial aid, counseling, and mentorship programs to ensure all students, regardless of background, have the resources they need to succeed and graduate.

Do you support Measure Q or not, and why are you in support/not in support?

I support SCCCD’s Measure Q, and whenever I have the opportunity, I ask voters to join me in voting “Yes” on Measure Q. SCCCD colleges offer some of the greatest resources and learning opportunities for our students, unmatched across the Valley and state. We have a top-tier nursing program, a brand-new West Campus at FCC equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and a new first responders training facility for our Valley’s future law enforcement officers and firefighters — all of which wouldn’t have been possible had voters not invested in our community colleges. Voting “yes” on Measure Q is more than an investment in our local community colleges; it’s an investment in public safety, our healthcare system, our skilled workforce, and so much more — that’s why I am supporting Measure Q.

Wild card question: Choose a question that is not any of the above and then answer it.

Q: What specific gap do you see among the SCCCD student population and how are you uniquely qualified to address that issue?

A: One significant gap I see among the SCCCD student population is the lack of outreach for low-income, low-resource students, especially those who drop out of high school or earn their GED. As someone who grew up in poverty, I know firsthand how vocational education and trade skills can lift individuals out of poverty and provide a pathway to the middle class.

Many young people are simply unaware of the opportunities available to them through SCCCD’s vocational programs. My experience in workforce development has shown me that we’re not doing enough to reach out to these potential students. I am uniquely qualified to address this issue because I’ve lived it. I’m passionate about empowering students by connecting them with the training and resources they need to succeed in the trades, even if a bachelor’s degree isn’t their path. This is about creating real, sustainable opportunities for students to build a better future.