Colette Harris-Mathews

Colette Harris-Mathews is a member of the Los Rios Community College District in California, representing Trustee Area 5. Harris-Mathews assumed office on December 13, 2024. Harris-Mathews' current term ends on December 8, 2028.

Harris-Mathews ran for election to the Los Rios Community College District to represent Trustee Area 5 in California. Harris-Mathews won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Harris-Mathews completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Colette Harris-Mathews earned a graduate degree from the California State University, Sacramento in 2001 and a Ph.D. from Argosy University in 2010. Harris-Mathews' career experience includes working as a consultant and professor. She has been affiliated with Emerge California, California Black Women's Collective, Sacramento State University Foundation, and Sacramento State University Alumni Association.^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Los Rios Community College District Trustee Area 5

Colette Harris-Mathews defeated Ralph Merletti in the general election for Los Rios Community College District Trustee Area 5 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Colette Harris-Mathews (Nonpartisan)	73.8	51,910
	Ralph Merletti (Nonpartisan)	26.2	18,460

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 70,370
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Harris-Mathews in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Colette Harris-Mathews completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Harris-Mathews' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a native Sacramentan who is a lifelong learner running for the Los Rios Community College District, Area 5 Governing Board Member! Elect an inspirational public servant who advocates for education policies that promote broad student achievement and advances community college education necessary for a thriving economy and incomparable quality of life. I hold more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education. I completed my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degree from California State University Sacramento and a Doctor of Education Leadership from Argosy University. My background as a tenured faculty member, administrator and education/policy consultant are ideal for the continued leadership success of Los Rios and the Greater Sacramento Community.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Enrollment/Community College Pipeline- Students must see college as an avenue to their future opportunities. The pathway to well-paying jobs and viable careers must be realized through every community college class, major and transfer degree.
Career/Graduation/Transfer Student success can be realized in career education opportunities, increased graduation, and transfer rates. Transfer policies such as Senate bill 1440 and Assembly Bill 1291 must be fully realized to simplify graduation and transfer paths!
Dual Enrollment- Dual Enrollment legislation such as AB 288 must be fully implemented and expanded to increase enrollment in our colleges, engage students in higher education and increase transfer/graduation rates.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about policies that close the opportunity gap, address true college costs and adequately fund Los Rios Colleges.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

To truly understand what has framed my political philosophy I would recommend Stacey Abrams book "Lead from the Outside". The subtitle is "How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change." This alone is a directive for our/my political future. The book is a leaders guide to make a difference in our world and a testament of how to build coalitions to win. The book also encourages readers to continue to study and be a lifelong learner. Learn for ones failures and ones wins.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

It is critical for Los Rios Trustees to understand the climate and value of community colleges for the Greater Sacramento Community. Trustees are responsible for the educational, physical and financial requirements of the district. I understand the value of community college and possess leadership experience necessary to continue to advance Los Rios in the Sacramento area.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of a trustee are to seek to understand the community they serve in and have a heart for Sacramento's k-20 system. I hold a true passion for education and am connected to the K-12 and University system. A Trustee must have an understanding of education and a passion to see students succeed. Equally they must have a desire to hire and retain qualified employees in the district.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave Los Rios Community College District a great place to attend college, work and enjoy arts, sporting events and the campuses as a whole.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The primary role of a board trustee is to set policy for the district. A trustee is responsible for creating and approving educational, physical and financial policies for the disrict.

Who are your constituents?

Area 5 is diverse community. It is diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, age, socio economic status and political interests.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

I have a history of supporting diverse needs in my community and am a person who will listen to the needs. I am someone who truly is concerned about the quality of life for students, faculty, staff and the community as a whole. I think it is important to look at statistical historical data, but also look at the narratives that students and the community tell of their experiences in our community colleges.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Los Rios College Federation of Teachers, Sacramento Central Labor Council, California Federation of Teachers, SEIU 1021, BWOPA, Sacramento Democratic Party, Women Democrats of Sacramento County, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Pam Haynes, Los Rios Board Trustee-Area 5

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Los Rios Community College District Trustee Area 5

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 30, 2024

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 30, 2024

[1]

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Colette Harris-Mathews

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Los Rios Community College District Trustee Area 5

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

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