Candidate Q&As: CCC board, position 1

Editor’s note: The Clovis News-Journal is interviewing candidates in contested races for the March 3 Clovis Community College Board of Trustees election.

Four are running for Position 1 — Laura Leal, Jacque Ochs, Ken Merritt and Connie Belcher.

Leal did not respond to numerous requests to participate.

Jacque Ochs

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired from Clovis Community College

Why do you want to serve?

CCC was my second home for 26 years and presented many opportunities for me by helping me to complete my educational goals and by letting me work at a job I loved. If elected to serve on the Clovis Community College Board of Trustees, I feel this could be some small way of paying back for the opportunities that I was able to enjoy.

If elected, what would you bring that is unique to the board of trustees, be it education, experience, training or something else?

During my tenure at the college, I served eight years on the board for New Mexico College Bookstore Association, 12 years on the Southwest College Bookstore Association board, three years on the National Association of College Stores board and three years on the Connect 2 One Advisory Board. Having served on these boards, I feel like I’m familiar with what board work entails.

If you could change one thing about CCC, and money was no object, what would it be?

To have enough staff and faculty to keep the Clovis Community College infrastructure in top condition in order to support the goals and programs of the institution.

What is the most important thing the board will need to do during the term you hope to win?

Continue to make the decisions to help the college ensure that faculty, staff, programs and courses represent the needs of the students and community.

President Obama has floated a plan to make publicly-funded community college available to all Americans. What are your thoughts on such a plan?

It sounds like an expensive undertaking. Instead of focusing on just community colleges why not look into making all higher education more affordable.

Ken Merritt

Age: 67

Occupation: General Dentist

Why do you want to serve?

I have always been involved with and a proponent of education in our community. I see this position as an opportunity to give back to the Clovis educational community.

If elected, what would you bring that is unique to the board of trustees, be it education, experience, training or something else?

I have a bachelor’s degree in education, a Master’s degree in counseling, and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. I been a classroom teacher with Clovis Schools, an anatomy/physiology instructor with CCC and own and operate my private dental practice. I have served on the CMS Board of Education for 16 years and am currently as president of the CMS Foundation.

If you could change one thing about CCC, and money was no object, what would it be?

I do not think I would change anything that is being done now. I would like to continue to look for other educational or occupational programs that would enrich our community.

What is the most important thing the board will need to do during the term you hope to win?

Working with the administration to facilitate educational goals of our students and to be good stewards of public monies.

President Obama has floated a plan to make publicly-funded community college available to all Americans. What are your thoughts on such a plan?

I think everyone who wants an education should have one but this public funded program can only work if it thoroughly explored and a reasonable source for funding can be obtained.

Constance (Connie) Belcher

Age: 59

Occupation: Family Nurse Practitioner

Why do you want to serve?

I want to serve because I feel I can bring a fresh perspective to the Clovis Community College (CCC) Board. I know this community and I understand its needs. I want to serve my community and give something back to the city and specifically the college that has done so much for me and my family. I have lived in Clovis for many years with the Clovis Community College literally in my back yard.

If elected, what would you bring that is unique to the board of trustees, be it education, experience, training or something else?

I bring with me the fact that I am a product of this type of education. I started with my associates degree in nursing in 1980 obtained at ENMU Roswell and worked my way up to getting my master’s degree at West Texas A&M University. I was in the first graduating class of the bachelor’s degree in nursing program at ENMU. I have taught in the nursing programs at UNM, ENMU and Clovis Community College. I have personally taken classes at CCC and have had a child attend to begin his college education. I know the nursing program very well and am also familiar with the radiology tech, emergency services and the many other programs that CCC offers. I feel I am the best qualified candidate because I know and understand the community college world. I am also a proud Air Force brat, and appreciate military life as well.

If you could change one thing about CCC, and money was no object, what would it be?

If money was no object, I would expand, expand, expand. I would add more programs that would benefit this area and hire more instructors to teach. I would bring in programs starting at the high school level to encourage students to get their educations here and stay in the area. I would expand that into all the high schools in eastern New Mexico through outreach programs.

What is the most important thing the board will need to do during the term you hope to win?

Keep looking ahead and keep an open mind. They need to continue to “think out of the box” to bring education and training to CCC that will lure students in. Most importantly, the board needs to advocate for the college and community, help with developing policies to meet their needs, give CCC a voice with regard to state and federal issues affecting education and budgets, and stay out of the day-to-day decision-making by the CCC administration.

President Obama has floated a plan to make publicly-funded community college available to all Americans. What are your thoughts on such a plan?

My knee-jerk reaction is that this is a wonderful idea … everyone deserves an education. But after thinking about it, I realize that publicly-funded college education is already available here in New Mexico to anyone who wants an education. Clovis Community College has one of the lowest tuition costs in the state. There are many scholarships, loans and payment plans available. I believe if a student really wants an education, there are few barriers getting in their way.

— Compiled by CNJ staff writer Kevin Wilson