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Shashanka Ashili
Shashanka Ashili ran for election to the Lone Star College Board of Trustees to represent District 1 in Texas. He lost in the general runoff election on December 14, 2024.
Ashili completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Shashanka Ashili earned a bachelor's degree from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal in 1999, a graduate degree from Wright State University in 2002, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte in 2007. His career experience includes working as a scientist.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Harris County, Texas (2024)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Lone Star College Board of Trustees District 1
Incumbent Michael Stoma defeated Shashanka Ashili in the general runoff election for Lone Star College Board of Trustees District 1 on December 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Michael Stoma (Nonpartisan) | 63.7 | 508 |
 | Shashanka Ashili (Nonpartisan)  | 36.3 | 289 | |
| Total votes: 797 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for Lone Star College Board of Trustees District 1
Incumbent Michael Stoma and Shashanka Ashili advanced to a runoff. They defeated Paul Santillan in the general election for Lone Star College Board of Trustees District 1 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Stoma (Nonpartisan) | 45.6 | 158,233 |
| ✔ | | Shashanka Ashili (Nonpartisan) | 33.3 | 115,595 |
| Paul Santillan (Nonpartisan) | 21.1 | 73,281 | ||
| Total votes: 347,109 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ashili in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Shashanka Ashili completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ashili's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Dr. Shashanka Ashili’s journey from the small village of Kondapak in southern India to a dedicated researcher in personalized and digital medicine showcases his resilience and dedication. At 15, he moved away from his family and childhood place to study electronics engineering in a town 7 hours away, later gaining admission to the prestigious college - NIT, Warangal. In 2000, he moved to the United States, where he continued to face various challenges, further fueling his commitment to research and education.
His work in Erie, PA—one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country—and Chester, PA—known for its high violence rates—has deepened his understanding of the critical need for inclusive and qualitative educational opportunities. These experiences have reinforced his commitment to addressing educational inequalities and fostering upward mobility.
His vision for LSC is to create an institution that embodies inclusivity and excellence. Dr. Ashili’s campaign is dedicated to inspiring meaningful change and creating pathways for all students to succeed, reflecting his journey from humble beginnings to a dedicated scientist.- Enhancing access to inclusive, qualitative education at Lone Star College means ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. This involves addressing barriers such as financial constraints and social inequities and creating a welcoming environment. Key steps include offering diverse and adaptable curricula, building robust support systems, and forming partnerships with the community. Actively seeking feedback from students, faculty, and the community is essential for continuous improvement. The goal is to provide an educational experience that meets and exceeds the needs of all students, fostering their success and upward mobility.
- Expanding the curriculum at Lone Star College involves creating a range of academic paths designed to open doors to high-paying career opportunities. This includes developing and offering specialized programs and courses that align with current industry demands and emerging job markets. By improving the integration of practical skills, hands-on experiences, and industry certifications into the curriculum, we can better prepare students for lucrative and rewarding careers. Additionally, collaborating with industry professionals and employers ensures that our academic offerings remain relevant and valuable, ultimately enhancing our students' prospects for financial success and career advancement.
- Engaging faculty and staff is essential for enhancing strategies and initiatives that drive increased student success. By actively of all stakeholders, we can collaboratively develop and refine approaches that effectively support student achievement and retention. This includes creating tailored programs and robust support systems to address diverse student needs. Integrating fiscal responsibility into these strategies ensures that resources are utilized efficiently, optimizing outcomes while adhering to budgetary constraints. This comprehensive approach promotes student success and fosters long-term, sustainable improvements in educational outcomes.
Healthcare: I emphasize accessible, high-quality care through innovative approaches, including digital medicine and advancements in life sciences. Leveraging these advancements and addressing disparities ensures effective and equitable healthcare. My focus is on integrating cutting-edge tools, removing barriers, and managing resources to enhance health outcomes for all.
I draw inspiration from a range of influential leaders whose principles and policies have shaped my perspectives. Ronald Reagan’s economic policies exemplify the power of free-market principles and economic growth, demonstrating how strategic policies can drive prosperity and innovation. George W. Bush's approach to conservative compassion highlights the importance of balancing conservative values with a genuine concern for social welfare, advocating for empathy and support within a framework of fiscal responsibility.
Barack Obama's visionary leadership resonates with me for his ability to articulate a compelling vision for the future, promoting hope and progress while addressing complex challenges with clarity and foresight. Additionally, I deeply admire Mahatma Gandhi and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. for their unwavering commitment to non-violence and civil disobedience. Their dedication to peaceful resistance and justice serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of principled action in the pursuit of societal change.
Throughout my career, I have consistently drawn on logical analysis and thorough review of relevant literature to inform my work. This approach not only helps in formulating well-reasoned conclusions but also ensures that I remain empathetic to the diverse perspectives and experiences of others. By integrating these elements into my decision-making process, I strive to balance intellectual rigor with a genuine understanding of human impact, reflecting my dedication to advancing knowledge while remaining deeply connected to the needs and concerns of those around me.
1. Integrity: Upholding honesty and ethical behavior is fundamental to building trust and ensuring accountability. Integrity means consistently acting in the public’s best interest, maintaining transparency, and adhering to high moral standards.
2. Vision: A strong vision involves setting clear, strategic goals for the future, particularly in vital areas (in my case it is education). This includes developing actionable plans to achieve long-term improvements and inspiring others to work towards these goals.
3. Inclusivity: An effective official prioritizes inclusivity by ensuring that all community members have equitable access to opportunities. This involves actively working to address and reduce disparities, creating policies that support diversity, and fostering a welcoming environment for everyone.
4. Collaboration: Engaging with various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, industry leaders, and community members, is essential (referring to education). Harnessing diverse perspectives and expertise, leading to innovative solutions and effective problem-solving.
5. Fiscal Responsibility: Responsible management of public resources ensures that initiatives are impactful and sustainable. This involves careful budgeting, prioritizing expenditures, and ensuring that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
6. Innovation: Embracing and promoting innovative approaches helps address complex challenges. Utilizing new technologies and creative solutions can drive significant improvements and enhance overall effectiveness.
I also value compassionate conservatism, drawing from George W. Bush’s approach, which combines traditional values with a genuine concern for social welfare. This balance helps me address social issues while maintaining fiscal responsibility. My commitment to non-violence and principled action, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., guides my efforts toward justice and ethical leadership.
Through my experiences managing startups and overcoming financial challenges, I have developed resilience and adaptability, essential for navigating the complexities of leadership. My ability to integrate empathy and compassion into decision-making reflects a deep understanding of others’ needs, fostering strong relationships and a positive organizational culture.
2. Strategic Planning and Vision: Create and execute long-term plans that align with the community’s needs and goals. This includes setting priorities, establishing clear objectives, and leading initiatives that drive progress in essential areas such as education and public health.
3. Stakeholder Engagement: Actively engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including residents, educators, industry leaders, and community organizations. Facilitate collaboration to gather diverse perspectives and enhance the effectiveness of decision-making and policy implementation.
4. Resource Management: Oversee the prudent management of public funds and resources. Ensure that budgets are allocated efficiently, expenditures are prioritized based on student (my priority) needs, and financial practices are transparent and accountable.
5. Promoting Innovation: Support and drive innovative solutions and technological advancements that address community challenges. Encourage creative problem-solving and the adoption of new approaches to improve services and outcomes.
6. Ensuring Transparency: Maintain open communication with constituents about decisions, policies, and their impacts. Provide regular updates and be responsive to public feedback to build trust and accountability.
In my professional roles, I've consistently applied the principle of transparency by openly communicating financial matters and ensuring that every expenditure aligns directly with the mission and vision of the organization. Being accountable means spending wisely on initiatives that drive our goals forward and keeping meticulous records of all financial activities. This approach not only upholds integrity but also builds confidence among stakeholders and investors.
On a personal level, my journey through higher education with significant credit card debt taught me the importance of financial responsibility. Despite accumulating over $125,000 in loans for our education, my wife and I managed to repay this debt within a year by maintaining a disciplined approach to budgeting and repayment. This experience reinforced my belief in the value of careful financial planning and the impact of living within one's means.
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
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Lone Star College Board of Trustees District 1 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 17, 2024
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State of Texas Austin (capital) |
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