Rocio Conde Seeks COD Trustee Area 3 Vacancy

Rocio Conde has been a Cathedral City resident since 2005

CATHEDRAL CITY — Rocio Conde, who has made this community her home for the past 18 years, is seeking the appointment to the Trustee Area 3 seat on The Desert Community College District Board of Trustees.

The seat is vacant due to the resignation in March of Trustee Fred E. Jandt. Area 3 represents Palm Springs and a slice of Cathedral City.

This seat is expected to be filled by May 26, 2023, according to a college-issued news release.

“I would like to be the voice of many families in our Coachella Valley and bring innovative programs that will better serve the cultural and unique needs of our community,” Conde told Uken Report. “I strongly believe equity is key in the distribution and allocation of funds.”

Conde has been a teacher for 25 years and holds a master’s degree in education. “My passion for the education of young children motivated me to finish graduate school,” she said.

She joins Ron Oden, former mayor of Palm Springs, to announce publicly her desire for the appointment. A COD spokesperson has confirmed there are three applicants, though the College is withholding the names.

When asked what qualifications she has for the Trustee position, Conde ticks off a list that includes:

• I am accountable for my actions and loyal to the community I serve.
• I work great as a team; I enjoy collaborating with people in the benefit of others.
• I know my community; I understand the variety of needs of the diverse groups of students in the Coachella Valley.
• I am reliable, flexible, and accessible, I like to be present and play an active role in the community.
• I think the best and most important qualification that I have is the love I have to serve the students of my community.
• I value higher education and the opportunities community colleges offer to all students, especially minorities. I myself attended community college which opened doors towards university and graduate school.

“Community Colleges are the steppingstone to higher education that sometimes seems far from reach due to economic and social factors; they have made it possible for many students to accomplish their dreams,” Conde said. “This is why we need strong skilled leadership on our COD Board of Trustees.”

By becoming part of the COD Board of Trustees, Conde said, “I am sure I can make a difference. I believe changes in education bring progress and growth.”