I have had the pleasure of working with Dr. Edel Alonso for 15 years as a counseling colleague in the COC Counseling Department and, before that, as a fellow counseling professional when she was employed at the William S. Hart Union High School District.
She always served as a role model and inspired me and my colleagues to be our very best and to be active and collaborative, contributing members of the college community.
The most outstanding educational leader with whom I have ever worked, Edel is the ultimate professional: a skilled communicator with excellent people skills and a gifted leader who has always promoted honesty, integrity and transparency in all her dealings with students, administrators, board members and the community.
I had the honor of reporting to her as chairwoman of the COC Counseling Department from 2006 until I retired in 2012 and as a faculty academic senator when she served as Senate president.
She facilitated a staggering number of positive and necessary policy changes during her tenure as president of the Academic Senate.
She possesses an intimate knowledge of district finances due to her experience as the faculty co-chair on the President’s Advisory Committee on Budget.
Edel asks probing questions and expresses her opinions in a very tactful, assertive and diplomatic manner and is never afraid of dealing with conflicting points of view.
Finally, she has always been extremely prepared in whichever role she has served and conscientiously “does her homework” to make certain that she is prepared.
Most importantly, Edel is passionate about students and possesses a very accurate knowledge of their educational needs, a characteristic that is imperative for effective Board of Trustees members to possess because students should be the first priority.
The COC Board of Trustees needs Edel’s input and leadership skills, and I enthusiastically endorse her.
