The Pasadena City College Faculty Association endorsed candidates in all four seats on the Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees, the union announced.

The faculty union backed Alton Wang for Area 7, Steve Gibson for Area 3, Kristine Kwong for Area 5 and Francis Pollara for Area 1, as first reported by Pasadena Now. The endorsements land one week before the Nov. 3 election.

Gibson and Kwong are incumbents. Wang, a civil rights attorney first elected to the board in 2022, is running unopposed in Area 7, according to the PCC Courier's ballot guide. Pollara, an economic development executive and ArtCenter College of Design graduate, is challenging Geoff Baum, a former trustee, in Area 1.

The association's executive board said the four candidates "have demonstrated a willingness to listen, an understanding of the role of PCC in our community, and a commitment to engaging with the issues facing our students, faculty, staff, and institution."

The union, which describes itself as an independent organization representing PCC faculty, said it weighed whether candidates understand the role of a community college and the importance of listening to those who work closest to students. It cited commitments to accessible public higher education, responsible stewardship of public resources and transparent decision-making.

Why the board matters

The Board of Trustees is the district's policy-forming body, according to the association's statement. It approves budgets, authorizes spending and signs off on hiring academic and classified staff.

The association said board elections directly affect the people who work and learn at PCC.

The district covers Pasadena, Altadena, Arcadia, South Pasadena, San Marino, La Cañada Flintridge, Sierra Madre, Temple City, Rosemead and parts of other San Gabriel Valley cities, according to the PCC Courier. Each trustee represents one of seven geographic areas.

The contested races

Area 1 covers La Cañada and west Pasadena. Pollara, 37, attended PCC in high school and has said he wants to expand career education, strengthen transfer pathways and improve financial oversight. He faces Baum, 62, who served 12 years on the PCC board and 12 years on the California Community Colleges Board of Governors.

Area 3 covers northwest Pasadena and southwest Altadena. Gibson, 71, is an incumbent and PCC alumnus who has prioritized student affordability, workforce training and fair treatment for adjunct faculty.

Area 5 includes San Marino, South Pasadena and part of Temple City. Kwong, 59, is an education attorney and incumbent who has served on the board for four years. She has focused on ensuring students can access courses and qualified faculty needed to transfer to four-year colleges.

A $485 million bond measure, Measure UP, is also on the Nov. 3 ballot. It would fund campus repairs, building improvements and career training facilities, extending the existing PCC facilities tax rate of $9 per $100,000 of assessed property value.

PCC will host an in-person voting center in the Creveling Lounge from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Election Day, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.