My name is Marianne Virgili and I am running for the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) Board of Trustees in District 2. Even if you don\u2019t live in my district (the Roaring Fork Valley), if you live in one of the six CMC counties on the Western Slope, you get to vote for me.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s why I hope you do:<\/p>\n
A Glenwood Springs community leader for 30 years, I understand small-town values, challenges and opportunities. During my 30 years as CEO of the Glenwood Springs Chamber, I led more than a dozen successful initiatives that built infrastructure, strengthened our tourism economy and gained the chamber and community national awards. I also worked for CMC, lobbying at the state legislature for four-year degrees and chairing 2018\u2019s Ballot Initiative 7D, which allows the college to retain revenue and keeps tuition low.<\/p>\n
1. I am committed to accessible education for students of all ages. I was the first in my extended Italian-American family to go to college. My mother was an immigrant and homemaker who went back to work to help pay my tuition. Education was a gift to me and one that I can only repay by giving it to someone else. Because of CMC, our students can study, reside and work in the communities where they live.<\/p>\n
2. After 30 years at the chamber, I see education as workforce development. I support expanding vo-tech training for real jobs within our communities.<\/p>\n
3. I value lifelong learning. The variety of CMC classes should remain as diverse as our mountain communities.<\/p>\n
4. I think training for first responders, nurses, law enforcement, teachers and others who serve our community is vital.<\/p>\n
5. I believe that education empowers immigrants and Dreamers to serve themselves and their communities.<\/p>\n
6. I want to be part of pioneering new four-year degrees in emerging fields.<\/p>\n
7. I value the faculty and staff who create CMC\u2019s exceptional learning experience.<\/p>\n
8. I have a lot of local and national experience with board governance and would ensure transparency, stewardship and accountability.<\/p>\n
Please look for my name on the ballot and vote for proven leadership, Marianne Virgili for CMC.<\/p>\n
Marianne Virgili<\/p>\n
Carbondale<\/p>\n