WATSONVILLE — Cabrillo College announced Monday that it is accepting nominations to fill the school’s Board of Trustees Area V seat vacated by Martha Victoria Vega, who has resigned according to a news release.
Vega, a Watsonville planning commissioner and Pajaro Valley High School teacher, was appointed to the seat in February 2023 to succeed Felipe Hernandez who vacated the seat after being elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors the previous November. Vega is also an alumna of Cabrillo College and Watsonville High School and previously held positions as a code enforcement officer, records supervisor, police service specialist and enrollment counselor with Union Institute & University. Vega did not publicly give a reason for her resignation and did not return requests for comment by the Sentinel’s press time.
The board is accepting applications for a provisional appointment and will take action on the process at its Monday meeting. The provisional appointment will begin immediately following selection by the board, either at its Sept. 9 meeting or a later special meeting to be determined by the board. The appointee will fill the position until the next regular election in November.
Those interested in serving are encouraged to submit a brief application and statement of interest and qualifications. The statements must be submitted to the president’s office by noon, Aug. 30, and applications can be emailed to Ronnette Smithcamp, executive assistant to the superintendent/president at rosmithc@cabrillo.edu or in person at Cabrillo’s Student Activities Center, West Room 204, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.
Candidates must live and be registered to vote in the Area V boundaries, which include the city of Watsonville and southern portion of Freedom. A map can be viewed at Go.boarddocs.com/ca/cabrillo/Board.nsf/Public. Interested applicants are also advised to take part in the selection process scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 9.
Since the seat is on the November election ballot, interested candidates will have the opportunity to run for election. In this case, interested parties are advised to call the Santa Cruz County Office of Elections at 831-454-2060 to verify that they live and are registered to vote in the trustee area and intend to file candidate papers. Under any circumstance, the provisional appointee will fill the seat through Dec. 6.
Those with questions on the position are encouraged to call the Cabrillo president’s office at 831-479-6302.