WHITTIER – Río Hondo College Board of Trustees Member Oscar Valladares has been appointed to fill a vacated term on the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors as a means to further advocate for the equity, support and opportunities of community college students.

Valladares said this appointment is just one of the many ways that Río Hondo College leaders are working to support and inspire students on the legislative level. In this role, he aims to champion Río Hondo College’s educational goals, which include providing affordable education, ensuring student success, increasing graduation rates and creating more career pathways for high-paying jobs.

“I am deeply honored and privileged to advocate and be the voice for community college students across our nation,” Valladares said. “Being a former undocumented student, product of California’s community college system and a Río Hondo College Board of Trustees member, I know the challenges our students are facing and I believe that I can provide insight to help.”

Valladares, who was elected to the Río Hondo College Board of Trustees in 2018, will represent the Pacific Region of the United States, which includes Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

The ACCT is a non-profit education organization representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges throughout the country.

“Trustee Valladares will be an excellent addition to the ACCT board. He will continue his work to advocate for our students and the community we serve in this new role,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “At Río Hondo College, we’re proud that all of our professors, administrators and Board of Trustee members jump at the chance to support our students in a variety of organizations and programs.”

Valladares partial term concludes in December. He is a candidate for a full three-year term on the ACCT Board, which would begin in January 2023. Elections will be held in October.