With the Nov. 8 General Election approaching, three Incumbent members of the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees are seeking re-election bids, according to a press release from College of the Canyon’s officials.

The three incumbents, board President Bruce Fortine, Vice President Steve Zimmer and board member Michele Jenkins plan to run for their respective seats on the district board, which oversees College of the Canyons.

The district is divided into five trustee areas, with a trustee elected from each area. Fortine represents Trustee Area Two, Zimmer represents Trustee Area Three and Jenkins is from Trustee Area Four.

Trustees are required to live in the areas they represent.

“With a cumulative 67 years of service on the board, Fortine, Zimmer and Jenkins have set high standards of excellence, ensured fiscal stability, and created an environment that fosters award-winning partnerships, innovation and responsiveness which distinguishes College of the Canyons from other two-year colleges,” said the press release.

“Their leadership is evident as the college has received recognition from accrediting agencies, the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and statewide associations for being a model of higher education for others to follow.”

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Bruce Fortine, Board of Trustees President

Fortine has served on the college board for 31 and a half years. He was a founding member of the board, first elected when local voters formed the community college district in 1967.

He served for seven and a half  years, eventually moving out of Santa Clarita. He was elected to the board again in 1991, after returning to the area.

In his many years of service as a board member, Bruce has provided leadership that helped guide the college through pivotal periods of growth and development, and enabled it to keep pace with the increasingly complex demands of a thriving, dynamic community.

He has worked to foster strong ties between the college and local businesses through his wide familiarity with business leaders.

Fortine has helped to develop cutting-edge industry and employee training programs that support a healthy local economy and lead to successful careers for students.

Steve Zimmer, Board of Trustees Vice President

Zimmer has been a member of the college board for three and a half years. Prior to that, he served on the College of the Canyons Foundation Board of Directors for 12 years, including leadership as board president.

He is an active supporter of the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons, the Culinary Arts program, and Cougar Athletics.

A graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law, Zimmer is a practicing attorney who specializes in business and land use issues.

His daughter completed COC’s Child and Family Studies program, which prepared her for a successful career in early childhood education.

Michele Jenkins, Board of Trustees Member

Michele began her education as a student at College of the Canyons the first year classes were offered in 1969. After transferring to UCLA, earning a bachelor’s, and eventually a master’s degree, Michele returned to Santa Clarita and was elected to the college’s board in 1984.

She has served for nearly 32 years, and was president of the board that hired Dr. Dianne Van Hook as the college’s superintendent-president in 1988.

Jenkins has been involved in numerous fund raising efforts through the COC Foundation, including scholarships, the child development program, nursing, Cougar Athletics, and the capital campaign to build the University Center.

At the statewide level, Jenkins has been elected by California Community College Trustees to numerous boards and committees.

During 25 years this work has benefited students, faculty, and staff throughout California.

Ed. Note: This Article is a press release provided by College of the Canyons.