My Community College Journey

Why this Race Matters to Me

When I talk about community college, I’m not speaking as an outsider looking in. I’m speaking as someone who has seen firsthand how powerful these institutions can be for students, families, and entire neighborhoods. My journey, and the journeys of so many people I’ve met, are the reason I’m running for Oakland Community College Trustee.

For many of us, community college is not just “a step” in education. It’s the first real door that opens. It’s the place where working parents come after their shift, where recent high school graduates discover what they’re capable of, and where adults of all ages return to finish what they once had to put on hold. It is a place of second chances, new beginnings, and real opportunity.

A Pathway, Not a Detour

Too often, community colleges are seen as a backup plan. But if you talk to students, you hear a very different story. You hear about people who chose community college because it was the smartest, most accessible option. You hear about smaller class sizes, instructors who know their students by name, and support services that can make the difference between dropping out and graduating.

I’ve listened to students share how their time in community college helped them find their voice, their confidence, and their direction. Whether they went on to a four-year university, earned a technical certificate, or stepped directly into a better job, they will tell you: community college changed everything.

This is why the role of a trustee matters. Decisions about funding, support programs, and campus resources are not abstract. They shape the daily lives of real people who are doing their best to move forward.

Listening to Students and Families

As I’ve spoken with families across our community, I hear the same themes again and again: people want their children to have options. They want education that is high-quality, welcoming, and within reach. They want their local college to feel like a partner, not an institution that is distant or hard to navigate.

I have met single parents who rely on evening classes, students who juggle full-time jobs and full course loads, and young people who are the first in their families to attend college at all. Their stories are powerful—but they are also fragile. A cut in funding, a loss of support services, or a lack of clear communication can put their progress at risk.

As a trustee, I will stay rooted in these stories. I will keep listening, keep asking questions, and keep pushing for decisions that put students first.

Community Colleges as Community Anchors

Community colleges are not just about degrees; they are about connection. They host community events, job fairs, tutoring centers, cultural programs, and training partnerships with local employers. They are often where new ideas for small businesses begin, where people learn English, and where neighbors meet each other across lines of age, background, and experience.

Our community deserves a college that reflects its values: equity, access, and opportunity. That means advocating for support services like counseling and advising, making sure students know about financial aid, and ensuring that our classrooms and campuses are welcoming to everyone.

Why I’m Running

I am running for Oakland Community College Trustee because I believe in the promise of community college—and I know we can do even more to deliver on that promise for every student.

I want to see:

• Stronger support for students juggling work, family, and school.

• Clear pathways from community college to careers and four-year universities.

• Transparent decisions that invite community input and reflect community needs.

• A college environment where every student feels seen, heard, and supported.

This work is deeply personal to me. I have seen what happens when a student finally finds a place that believes in them. I have seen families celebrate the first college graduate among them. I have seen how a single class, a caring instructor, or a campus resource can change the course of a life.

That is the power of community college. That is the power we must protect, strengthen, and expand.

As Friends to Elect MiVida Burrus, we are building a campaign grounded in hope, access, and opportunity. If you believe in a future where every student in our community has a real shot at success, I invite you to join us—because when our community colleges thrive, our entire community moves forward.