My name is Ben Strickland, and I am running for the Monterey Peninsula College Board of Trustees in Trustee Area 1. I am a small business owner, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran, an MPC graduate, and an active community volunteer.
For the past five and a half years, I have served my community as an appointed City Commission Chairman. Much of my work has focused on homelessness and bringing people together to find practical, local solutions. I am proud of the progress our community has made and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many dedicated people.
After leaving the Navy and returning to civilian life, I worked in private security and as a math tutor. I currently work in private security and also operate a small business that produces custom pin-back buttons.
Education has also played an important role in my life. I have earned four Associate Degrees from Monterey Peninsula College and plan to return to CSU Monterey Bay to complete my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Three words guide my approach to public service: Duty, Service, and Sacrifice.
I believe serving our community means being willing to listen, work with others, and give your time to help people succeed. My experience in the military, education, business, and community service has prepared me to bring that approach to the MPC Board.
As a Trustee, my focus will be on helping Monterey Peninsula College provide students with strong academic programs, career training, and the resources they need to succeed. I also want to help ensure MPC remains financially responsible, continues to grow, and stays focused on serving students and our greater community.
MPC has given me many opportunities in my own life. I want to help make sure those same opportunities are available to the next generation of students.
Ready to take the next step?
Join us and discover what we can do for you.
MY PRIORITIES AS YOUR AREA 1 TRUSTEE
Maximize Budget - Minimize Waste
My goal will be to make thoughtful financial decisions will ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely and support student success. Working with the board will help reduce waste, invest in effective programs, and maintain the college’s financial strength.
Empowering Students for Career Success and Continued Education
My commitment to collaboration with trustees, staff, and community partners will help ensure students graduate ready for their next step. Every student will be supported in building the skills and knowledge needed to begin a career or transfer to a four-year college with confidence.
Enrollment Growth and Community Needs
My focus will be on listening to students, staff, and community members to better understand what they want from MPC. Collaboration with the board will guide thoughtful enrollment decisions that support student success and meet the needs of our community.
Improving Housing Support for Students
As a board we should explore ways to provide housing or housing assistance for students who need it. Stronger relationships with landlords, housing organizations, and community partners can help create more rental opportunities and housing options for MPC students.
Strengthening School Policies
One of my objectives will be reviewing school policies to determine what is working and what needs improvement. Ineffective policies should be removed or updated, with changes that better serve both students and staff.
Championing Every Student
We should continue to prioritize support for athletics and humanities programs while ensuring students facing hardships have access to the resources they need. Veterans and students with disabilities will also have a strong advocate, so every student has a fair chance to succeed.