CAUSE APPLAUDS APPOINTMENT OF KELSEY IINO TO LACCD BOARD OF TRUSTEES VACANCY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Farrah Su
CAUSE Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: (213) 269-5716
Email: farrah@causeusa.org
Tuesday, APRIL 19, 2022 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) applauds the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees’ decision to appoint Dr. Kelsey Iino to fill a vacant Board position. The vacancy resulted from the resignation of LACCD Trustee Mike Fong who was recently elected to represent the 49th State Assembly District.
Last month, a coalition of community leaders and organizations from the Greater Los Angeles metropolitan area joined together to provide appointee recommendations to the LACCD Board of Trustees. CAUSE’s reactivation of its redistricting coalition partners is a continuation of CAUSE’s successful efforts to inform Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities about matters that impact them and provide resources to take civic action.
CAUSE and the coalition of community leaders and organizations sent a letter detailing recommendations for the vacancy appointment, including having deep connections with the AAPI community, experience working with AAPI students, and a demonstrated history of working with Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian students. Upon reviewing her qualifications, CAUSE has full confidence that Dr. Iino will be an informed and effective advocate for AAPI students on the LACCD Board of Trustees.
Short Bio - Dr. Kelsey Iino
Dr. Kelsey Iino is a community college graduate that has dedicated her career to the community college system. With over 15 years of experience as a counseling faculty member, she is well versed in the challenges and opportunities community colleges and their students face in California. Recently appointed to serve as a Trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District, Dr. Iino is involved with the operations and student successes of the largest community college district in the United States.
As a tenured faculty member and faculty union president at El Camino College, she has been involved in the areas of curriculum, accreditation, budgeting, shared governance, academic affairs, and student services. As a counseling faculty member, Dr. Iino works with a wide range of populations to support students in their academic career; specifically, she has been involved with the MANA program to support Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, student athletes, and health science and creative arts students. These various experiences have prepared Dr. Iino to work with students, staff, faculty, and administrators from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
In addition, Dr. Iino has past experience as a small business owner and currently serves as a board member of the El Camino College Foundation, the Little Tokyo Service Center, and the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial Committee. In her free time, she volunteers with Little Tokyo and Downtown Los Angeles community organizations.
Quote from Dr. Kelsey Iino, LACCD Board of Trustee
“I am honored to be appointed to the LACCD Board of Trustees. I take this commitment seriously and have always listened to and advocated with the communities I serve. As the only AAPI trustee on the Board, I know I bring a unique perspective and expertise that can help the LACCD better serve AAPI students at our nine colleges. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members and the LACCD students, faculty, and staff to advance LACCD’s mission and foster student success through equitable and supportive learning environments.”
Quote from Nancy Yap, CAUSE Executive Director
"CAUSE applauds LACCD for selecting Dr. Kelsey Iino to fill the vacant position on its Board of Trustees. Dr. Iino has worked directly with AAPI students and understands the diversity of our community, which makes up 10% of LACCD’s students. Her qualifications meet our appointee recommendations for an advocate for culturally sensitive solutions for lower retention and achievement rates in our communities. We congratulate Dr. Iino and look forward to her contributions and service.”
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NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information or to schedule an interview, call (213) 269-5716 or email farrah@causeusa.org.