“Dr. Maria Nieto Señour was selected to be honored as inaugural CALCCTA Trustee of the Year for her notable leadership, steadfast advocacy, and decades of dedicated service to the California Community Colleges system,” said Martha Garcia, president and CEO of the Mt. San Antonio Community College District and vice president of the CALCCTA. “As the longest-serving Latina/o trustee in the state, she has paved the way for generations of leaders and helped advance educational equity, access, and opportunity for countless students. She has modeled excellence, and her contributions have strengthened our colleges and uplifted the communities we serve."
Señour expressed humility regarding the award. “This is really a recognition of the work of a wonderful board, a wonderful district, and a wonderful chancellor,” she said.
Señour has been at the forefront of the SDCCD’s efforts to protect immigrants and refugees and defend minority-serving programs against federal challenges.
First elected in 1990, Señour was the first Latina elected to a citywide school or college board office in San Diego. She played a critical role in overseeing the implementation and management of voter approved Proposition S and N bond programs that resulted in more than 60 new or renovated instructional and career development facilities across San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar and Continuing Education campuses, transforming the colleges’ landscapes and opening opportunities for thousands of more students. Under her leadership, the SDCCD established and expanded the tuition-free San Diego Promise program, introduced one of the state’s first baccalaureate degree programs at a community college, encouraged training and program development to address unconscious bias and foster inclusive campus environments, and championed initiatives that dramatically increased access for high school students to college-level courses.
Asked why she initially sought a seat on the SDCCD’s Board of Trustees, the retired San Diego State University counselor educator said, “I had just attended a summit on Latinos in politics in education, and there was no one of Latino ancestry who had ever served on a college or school board in the city, even though community colleges are the main pathway for members of underserved communities to get ahead. I only expected to be on the board for two terms, but I fell in love with the mission and the attitude of the leadership, the students, and the people working at the district.”
CALCCTA is dedicated to empowering Latina/o students and driving systematic change within the California Community Colleges system by promoting policies and initiatives addressing systemic barriers, provide professional growth opportunities, and improve educational outcomes for all students.
Señour received her award on November 20 at the Community College League of California’s annual convention in Anaheim.