Mary Ann Pacheco, a retired college professor who taught English for nearly 40 years at Rio Hondo, won the vacant seat Tuesday on the College Board of Trustees for Area 3.

Her opponent was Jaime Alvarez, also a college professor, who taught at East Los Angeles College for a year and was Rio Hondo alumnus.

Throughout the campaign, both candidates focused extensively on student achievement and campus morale. They expressed concern and collided on the topic of transfers, and if enough was being done to ensure graduation and completion of GED in a timely manner.

Pacheco received 1,547 votes, and Alvarez received 1,106 votes. Even though all 20 precincts reported, voter turnout was drastically low with 31,539 registered voters and less than 3,000 actually participating.

Expressing hope that her election is a sign of confidence in her ability to move the college forward, Pacheco explained that she wants to improve the college for the betterment of the students and staff.

At the public forum held a few weeks ago, the retired professor said that her long career and familiarity with the college would be a viable asset to the board.

“I was a professor and campus leader at the college for 38 years. I understand that Rio Hondo is more than the buildings or grounds; it is the people who make it a successful college,” Pacheco confidently stated at the forum. “I know the college—its budget, policies, and procedures. I understand our students, their families, and their communities. I have the experience, knowledge, and understanding to move the college forward into the twenty-first century.”

In the past, Pacheco served as Rio Hondo College Faculty Association and Academic Senate president; she has also held the position of Community College Association president, as well as on the board of directors for both the California Teachers Association and National Education Association.

For more than 25 years she worked on the original Puente Project as an English instructor, in addition to teaching for five years collectively at USC and UCLA. Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Whittier Mayor Bob Henderson also endorsed her.

Her resume speaks for itself as long and experienced, and in the hopes of the entire college and Pacheco herself, as one that will help the Rio community at all levels.