Nicole Jones (Southwestern Community College District)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Nicole Jones

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 6, 2018

Nicole Jones ran for election to the Southwestern Community College District to represent Seat 4 in California. She lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.

Elections

2018

See also: Municipal elections in Chula Vista, California (2018)

General election

General election for Southwestern Community College District Seat 4 (Historical)

Leticia Cazares defeated Nicole Jones and Tamara Rodriguez in the general election for Southwestern Community College District Seat 4 (Historical) on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Leticia Cazares (Nonpartisan)	46.7	56,939
		Nicole Jones (Nonpartisan)	32.8	39,993
	Submit photo	Tamara Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)	20.5	24,993

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 121,925
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Nicole Jones completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jones' responses.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1. Increase retention and completion rates for all Southwestern College students 2. Strengthen partnerships with the K-12 system, apprenticeship programs and the community 3. Foster an environment of equity, inclusion and mutual respect

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very passionate about educational policy. I am a career educator with 14 years experience working in the California Community College system. I started as an intern and I worked my way up the academic ranks to become a Professor and college Dean. It is through educational policy that I believe I can open more doors for students and that is why I am running for Southwestern College Board.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to other career educators who are also elected officials like Assemblywoman, Dr. Shirley Weber, and Trustee Maria Nieto Senour. Both of these women inspired me to serve my community and both have been advocates for students from underrepresented communities.

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

I am not a career politician. I am a career educator who is running for political office. If I could name a book about my political philosophy it would be about servant leadership.

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

I believe it is important for an elected official to have a high level of competency, cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity, humility, diplomacy, tact, knowledge and understanding of the issues and leadership skills. It is necessary that an elected be able to bring people together and to work with others in order to serve the interest of the community. They should also be an effective communicator.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a leader and an effective communicator. I have been trained in consensus building, cultural competence, and psychotherapy. I have 14 years experience as a counselor and professor. I have been able to lead teams of students, faculty, staff and administrators. I listen to people and hear their issues and I find ways to take action to address them.

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

There are a few core responsibilities:Represent and be the voice of those you serveThink critically and independentlyMake decisionsVote your conscious

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be the best Southwestern College Board member I can be. If elected, I will be the first African-American to serve on the board in the the 57 years since it was founded. I want my legacy to be that I Nicole Jones cares about students and the community, because many people at the college feel that no one cares or is invested in their success. I want to invest in their success.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was food service agent at Sea World and I worked there for 2.5 years.

What happened on your most awkward date?

I met my husband at the age of 18 and we have been together since so I cannot recall any awkward dates.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas is my favorite. I love to listen to Christmas music and watch Christmas movies. I love to decorate my home with Christmas decor. When I was a young child and teenager, I used to love to go caroling around my neighborhood. I also love to skate and ice skate. I love spending time indoors with my family and friends celebrating before the Christmas holiday. I am already starting my planning for the 2018 Christmas Holiday.

What is your favorite book? Why?

There are too many to name one.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

I started the first mental health program at Cuyamaca College. I have been trained in Marriage and Family Therapy and I am a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

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.

See also

Chula Vista, California	California	Municipal government	Other local coverage

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Southwestern Community College