By Lookout Staff

December 17, 2024 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Board is seeking applicants to fill the seat vacated by Barry Snell after he was elected to the City Council last month, college officials announced Monday.

The candidate selected to fill the seat at the February 4 Board meeting would serve until the November election of four members to the seven-member board in November 2026.

To be eligible, applicants must be at least 18 years old, reside in the Santa Monica Community College District, be registered to vote and must not be disqualified from holding civil office by the Constitution or any law of the state, college officials said.

"The Board is seeking candidates who have the ability and time to fulfill the responsibilities of being a trustee," officials said.

These include "participating fully in the work of the Board, including attending all meetings and some college events, studying issues and agenda items, and participating in trustee education programs."

Candidates also must be "knowledgeable about the communities served by the college and willing to act on behalf of and for the benefit of those communities."

In addition, they must be "committed to community colleges and their missions," understand "educational, social and economic policy issues" and engage "in balancing the needs of a variety of diverse groups" and build consensus.

Board members are tasked with hiring the Superintendent/President and ensuring the fiscal health and sustainability of the college, school officials said.

Snell, who has served on the Board since his appointment in February 2014, was one of four candidates elected to the Council on November 5 with the backing of Santa Monica's liberal establishment.

He was elected too the College Board in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Applications are available at smc.edu/BOTMeetings For more information on the application process, call District/Board of Trustees Coordinator Lisa Rose at 310-434-4402 or email Rose_Lisa@smc.edu.