Candidate for
Member of the Board of Trustees; Los Angeles Community College District; Office 5

Biography

Ms. Mercer is finishing her first term on the Los Angeles Community College Board. She was elected in 1999 and served as Board President in fiscal year 2000-2001.

In 2001, Ms. Mercer was instrumental in the passage of Proposition A # the $1.2 billion L.A. Community College Bond Measure to upgrade and modernize facilities on all 9 college campuses. Other highlights of her term include as 29% increase in student enrollment after years of decline, the hiring of an outstanding chancellor and 5 new college presidents, and an agreement to purchase the historic Van de Kamp site in Atwater to build a much need satellite center.

In running for re-election, Ms. Mercer has vowed to continue her work to maximize the taxpayer investment in the Bond Measure, and play a critical oversight role as Chair of the Operations/Infrastructure Committee of the Board. Recently elected to the California Community College Trustee Board, Ms. Mercer will be in a position to provide a voice for Los Angeles to this 21-member board, which represents the 72 community college districts throughout the state.

Before election to the College Board, Ms. Mercer had over 30 years experience working in education, communications, and public affairs. She was an instructor of Group Counseling for Women at UCLA and taught at Danube Avenue Elementary School.

Ms. Mercer served as L.A. City Mayor Richard Riordan's representative to the West San Fernando Valley, the citywide Women's Community and Jewish Community. She was Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood/Los Angeles. Currently, she is a member of the Foundation Board at California State University, Northridge, and serves on the Boards of the following organizations: Valley Trauma Center, Los Angeles Hillel Council, Women's Political Committee, and Friends of the Family.

Prior community involvements include: Founding President of the New Reform Congregation, Board of Directors and Foundation President of Valley Presbyterian Hospital, President of the Juvenile Justice Connection Project, President of the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission, Member of the California Task Force on Civil Rights, and Member of the State Advisory Committee on School Finance Equalization.

Ms. Mercer earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education at California State University, Los Angeles and completed the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management Executive Programs.

Ms. Mercer and her husband, David, have lived in Tarzana for over 35 years. They have a son, Steven, and daughter-in-law, Nina.