The three finalists for the presidency of Fresno City College told standing-room only audiences their plans for tackling major issues facing the college at forums on March 7.

During each of their scheduled 50 minutes in Room 251 of the Old Administration Building, Cynthia Azari, interim president; Dr. Jeremy Brown, former president of Portland Community College, and Dr. Craig Follins, former president of Northeast Lakeview College, spoke about their experiences and why they are best qualified to lead Fresno City College.

Azari said her focus would be providing quality information, ensuring that the bond measure is passed and making sure that the campus is up to date with current technology. She also acknowledged that workforce is a big challenge facing the college.

She said that her immediate goal will be “working to help community members understand what passage of the bond would bring to the college to benefit students.”

In an email interview on the same day, Azari enumerated the benefits of a successful campaign. “It would add parking, which is a huge problem, and a new Math Science Engineering building which would expand our science and technology offerings.”

Additionally, she would “work with the college to prepare for the upcoming accreditation visit and continue to improve communication throughout the college.”

In his session, Jeremy Brown stressed the importance of working collaboratively with both the faculty and students and being able to have open discussions.

“It is extremely important to remain focussed on the strategic plan, direction from the chancellor and the board as well as the needs of the students and the community,” Brown said in a March 5 email interview. “Once strategic intentions are determined and aligned within the district, I would engage a collaborative and inclusive process to move forward.”

Brown’s immediate goal would be to reach out “to both internal and external constituencies to learn more about issues that should be addressed.”.

Craig Follins stressed the importance of engaging everyone in a collaborative effort. He said he wants to model good behavior and seek finance that will help issues that are identified through active and open dialogue.

“My focus will be on the students,” Follins said in a phone interview on March 4. He said he wants to “understand [the FCC] culture” and “respect the history” that has been established. He will strive on “building consensus” campuswide and districtwide.

Each candidate spoke about acknowledging the tradition and importance of FCC’s history. They also noted how much of an impact community colleges have on the life of an individual.

“Fresno City College is a very dynamic institution that has a rich history and an extremely bright future. I am extremely impressed with the quality of the academic experience, dedication of the faculty and staff at the College as well as the connectivity to the community,” Brown said in the email interview.

He expressed optimism about the college’s future which he described as “poised to grow dramatically in various dimensions and become a leader on a regional, state and national scale.”

Follins said he wants to add value to the FCC tradition and work within the different communities to help students find pathways and ensure they are receiving the support they need to be successful.

“Fresno City College is a great place with great students,” Follins said on March 4. “Students have a lot of [campuswide] activities.”

Also addressing the college’s history and tradition, Azari added in a March 7 email interview, “it also has great faculty and staff and a beautiful campus. The programs are outstanding, and the college is an integral part of the community.”

During Azari’s forum, a few attendees brought up an issue that has been simmering on campus about a letter that the Black Faculty and Staff Association wrote to the board of trustees alleging that the interim president and FCC administrators discriminate against African American students and faculty.

“There have been accusations of racism and that the administration has allowed racist behaviors on this campus,” Azari said. “I will emphatically state that racism is not tolerated on this campus.

In fact, racism disgusts me. When i hear about these behaviors, I want them addressed immediately.”

Azari said that the faculty and staff need to reflect the diversity of the FCC community and stressed the importance of cultural competence.

Brown said that he would be more than willing to open “Pandora’s box” when it comes to issues of possible racist activities. He said he would commit to equity and hire qualified faculty that would reflect success. He also said that students who feel they are not included would not feeling at home on campus, and that they need to see instructors who support and like them.

Brown said, “How people feel is just as important as what happens.”

Follins said his approach would revolve around finding facts and accepting challenges. He would build committees around the conversation of possible discrimination and emphasize on educating and understanding one another.

“I will be an advocate for all students,” Follins said. “I will be a champion of diversity.”

Azari has spent the last 10 months as interim president. She became the first female president of FCC and served from January 2009 to April 2011 before becoming president of Riverside Community College and later an interim chancellor for the Riverside Community College District. Before she became FCC president, Azari was also the vice chancellor for Workforce Development and Educational Services for the State Center Community College District.

Brown was president of Dowling College in New York from June 2011 until Sept. 2012. From 2013 to 2015, Brown was president of Portland Community College and “left because the Board’s direction forward was not consistent with the agenda I was given when hired,” he explained.

He said that in his two years at PCC, “There were many significant advances including the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, record fundraising, stabilisation of the budget following several years of deficit spending and an enhanced commitment to equity and inclusion.”

Despite the controversy with the board during his tenure in Portland, Brown said in an email interview on March 5, “There were no issues with respect to my performance or results.”

In Brown’s closing statement he stated that “It is within our grasp to do something here. Believe in yourselves and all of the possibilities that you can become.”

Follins has served as president of Northeast Lakeview College, and his contract as president of Olive-Harvey College in Chicago was recently voided. Follins claims that differences in the way he managed resulted in the fallout. The college had three attempts at accreditation and failed.

He also said that change is hard and that he will not apologize for putting students first.

Follins has taught for 15 years. He has taught a variety of students from those seeking an associate degree to doctoral students, and he has been a president of a community college twice.

He said, “I want to change students’ lives now and for the foreseeable future.”

Brown added in the March 5 interview, “I am convinced that community colleges are the key to changing lives, driving the economy and building community.”

Azari said in her closing statement, “You know who I am and what I want for our future; it would be a pleasure to continue with you on this journey.”