Sunday, November 17, 2013

Meet Yolanda Navarro Flores and Zeph Capo, the two Candidates running for HCC Houston Community College Trustee in the Saturday, December 14, 2013 Runoff Election in Houston, Texas

Houston Community College -- District I
Yolanda Navarro Flores vs. Zeph Capo
HOW YOLANDA AND ZEPH MADE THE RUNOFF: On Tuesday, November 5, 2013, HCC Board Member Yolanda Navarro Flores failed to gain a majority of the vote in a (3) three candidate field and was forced into a runoff by Zeph Capo for the Houston Community College Board Trustee for Distict I seat. The other candidate on the ballot was Kevin J. Hoffman. Yolanda Navarro Flores ended the night with 5,916 votes for 49.07% of the vote to finish first. Zeph Capo ended the night with 3,236 votes for 26.84% of the vote to finish second and force the Saturday, December 14, 2013 runoff.
 
 
GET TO KNOW YOLANDA NAVARRO FLORES
CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE

 According to her website, Yolanda Navarro Flores grew up in Houston's North Side practicing her parents' commitment to community service. She continues the family tradition through her longtime work as a Houston Community College trustee, a role in which she combines her love for education with her determination to leave her community a better place than she found it.

 A lawyer, social activist and former state representative, Navarro Flores carefully cultivates connections between HCC and District 1 stakeholders with the belief that a shared vision is the key to both student success and community building. She views HCC's North Side centers and facilities as extensions and reflections of the community — places that offer something for everyone. She helps foster HCC's organizational stewardship by ensuring frequent course offerings in English as a second language and classes for earning the General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

 Besides basic education courses, general academics and workforce training initiatives, Navarro Flores envisions more high technology offerings in the future. Educational programs in nanotechnology, chemical engineering and the most recent technological advances are planned to keep HCC students competitive in an ever-changing business climate.

 Navarro Flores believes that by fostering good relationships in the communities it serves, HCC can offer both the basics and the best practices in one student-oriented institution. She envisions HCC's mission as being the institution of choice for those determined to improve their family's quality of life.

 With a bachelor's degree in radio and television communications from Texas Southern University and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, Navarro Flores is continuing her education for an educational doctorate through the Sam Houston State University Community College Educational Leadership Program.

 A former girls' softball coach, Navarro Flores has mentored hundreds of young people in her North Side community by helping them build self esteem and to find their place in society. With fellow trustees, Diane Olmos Guzman and Abel Davila, she formed the Hispanic Education Leadership Committee that awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to HCC students.

 A former political consultant, Navarro Flores has won numerous awards for her volunteer efforts and for her leadership in community and government service.

 
GET TO KNOW ZEPH CAPO
CLICK HERE TO VISIT WEBSITE

 According to his campaign website, Zeph Capo is someone who believes that a quality public education and old-fashioned hard work are requirements for a vibrant and robust economy. Zeph is a resident of the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest area and a product of public schools. Zeph attended community college where he received an Associate of Arts degree before transferring to Florida International University and majoring in International Relations. Zeph is currently enrolled in a Master of Public Administration program at the University of Texas Pan-American.

Zeph brings a diverse set of experiences to the table that will benefit our Houston area students and workforce community. In 2009, Zeph took the lead on a multi-million dollar investment in early education by bringing the Good Behavior Game (GBG) to over seventy HISD classrooms. GBG emphasizes teamwork and the development of positive peer relationships- skills necessary to build collaborative work teams. In 2011, Zeph spearheaded the community meetings that brought together parents, teachers, and HISD leaders to build a community-based plan to turn around our neighborhood middle school. Their work resulted in the establishment of the Friends of Frank Black Middle School, a new vanguard magnet designation and a 100% increase in student enrollment. In 2013, the legislature increased dual credit opportunities for career and technical education. As a member of the HISD Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, Zeph was proud to be part of that successful legislation. All high schools should have access to dual credit programs for both academic and technical courses. Zeph is committed to increasing the availability of dual credit programs by increasing collaboration between HCC and HISD.

Zeph is committed to strengthening the school-to-work pipeline for students transferring from the Pk-12 education systems and for students returning to retool for a new career. "We will do so by seeking advice and guidance from industry and small business leaders to develop programs and policies that enrich our school curriculum and align with workforce needs," says Capo.

http://www.aubreyrtaylor.blogspot.com/2013/11/congratulations-to-all-candidates-in.html
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