Patrick Farmer, KVCC Board of Trustees, Non-partisan Challenger
My name is Patrick Farmer. I’m 33 years old, originally from Parma, Michigan and I’m running for Kalamazoo Valley Community College Board of Trustees. I have been a resident of Kalamazoo for over 14 years and moved here to attend Western Michigan University. As a student, I attended classes at both WMU and KVCC, graduating with my B.B.A. in Business Management from WMU in 2007. Professionally I have worked for Kalamazoo College for 8 years as an administrator of Student Accounting. I believe I would be an asset to the KVCC Board of Trustees because I can bring a wealth of knowledge in higher education best practices in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to; financial aid, finance, internal controls and compliance. While the current members of the board have done a fine job, I believe the board should also be a representation of the student body. Being that I work in higher education, I am able to have a finger on the pulse of what is important to students and their families. If elected to the KVCC Board of Trustees I will do everything in my power to keep tuition and fees low while ensuring that students will receive superior training and access to the resources needed to be successful students and alumni. I hope that I can count on your vote November 8th.
Von Washington, Jr., KVCC Board of Trustees, Non-partisan Incumbent
Age 52, married to Beth Washington for 20 years; son (Von, III) and daughter Adonne.
Education and Experience: I hold a Bachelors of Communication and Theater degree from Western State University of Colorado and a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. Currently, I am the Executive Director of Community Relations for The Kalamazoo Promise and serve as their key spokesperson. Prior to joining The Promise, I was an Associate-Vice President at Southwest Michgan First. I arrived at Southwest Michigan First from the Kalamazoo Public Schools where I most recently served as principal of Kalamazoo Central High School from August 2007 to July 2012.
I am running as a candidate for Kalamazoo Valley Community College Board of Trustees because I believe a well-rounded education and access to multiple careers is one of the most important services a community can provide to its citizens.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is in an extraordinary and unprecedented position to provide diverse opportunities to students with the recent innovation of the Healthy Living Campus in downtown Kalamazoo. I am committed to offering students an affordable degree program, upgrading the current facilities, and exploring multiple ways to assist students that face barriers to education.
For over 20 years, I have been part of the education community wherever I have lived. During this time I have been an educator, athletic coach, and community volunteer. As a former high school principal I have seen firsthand the importance of support for public education and want to work to keep improving the educational and personal experiences offered by Kalamazoo Valley Community College.