Global Concern
Anita Adams poses at the 2013 Global Issues Conference, Thursday, March 7. An event that she helped organize.Experience as a student, a leader, an activist and a mother thoroughly prepared De Anza College’s incoming student trustee for her role on the Foothill-De Anza Board of Trustees.
Anita Adams is a third-year environmental engineering major who serves in multiple leadership positions and participates in campus activism. She is a senior mentor in Latina/o Empowerment at De Anza, an intern for De Anza’s Institute of Community and Civic Engagement and co-founder and co-president of Women Empowered Club. She also mentors in women’s studies and English.
“She’s very passionate about making sure that education as a whole is fair and accessible for everyone,” said Rachel Baltazar, fellow ICCE intern and LEAD mentor.
As the mother of a 5-year-old daughter, Adams has had to make financial sacrifices in order to stay in school and afford her child’s preschool tuition.
Adams difficulties with affording her education motivates her to advocate for educational funding and programs that help support non-traditional students,” Adams said.
Adams ran for student trustee because the position would afford an opportunity to ensure the board heeds the voices of students.
On the ICCE website, Adams stated, she hopes to create continuing resources to help women students overcome retention challenges.
She also advocates for LGBTQI rights, farm worker justice, fair treatment for hotel workers and the needed representation for undocumented immigrant students.
Marc Coronado, LEAD club adviser, describes Adams as a great listener who wants to learn the concerns and thoughts of others rather than imposing her own will.
“Anita is the sort of leader who wants to serve the people she represents,” Coronado said.
“Her maturity, humility and scope of understanding are qualities that will serve all De Anza students well,” she said.
Current student trustee Vincent Mendoza, said he is at ease knowing that his successor is a “sincere, decisive and capable person.”
Adams will be sworn in June 3.
