Meet the candidates for LCC's board

By Sophia Potter
Editor in Chief

This November, make a difference in your community by engaging with local politics: vote in the LCC Board of Trustees race.

The Board of Trustees is technically the governing body of the college. Members help guide the college’s president to make choices that best reflect the needs of the student body as well as the wider Lansing community.

Terms typically last for six years, although two vacancies for shorter terms are being filled this election season as well.

The 2024 candidates are as follows:
Incumbent Noel Garcia Jr., who is running unopposed for a four-year term.
Newcomer Hope Lovell, who is running unopposed for a two-year term.

Terrence Frazier, Ryan Smith and Chatum Taylor, who are all running for a six-year term. There are two six-year seats available. Voters can vote for no more than two. Frazier is the lone board incumbent among the trio.

Frazier, 49, is in business as the owner of Sweet Encounter Bakery Café.

Taylor, 45, works in banking as a member experience manager at Lake Trust Credit Union.

Smith, 47, is the CEO of S&S Real Estate.

The Lookout recently interviewed the three candidates for the six-year terms. Following are their responses:

What appeals to you about serving on the LCC Board of Trustees? 

Frazier: Serving on the LCC Board of Trustees offers me the chance to contribute to student success and help foster an inclusive, supportive environment for all. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, I’ve come to appreciate the vital role that community colleges play. LCC, in particular, serves as the heart of our community, providing a pathway for individuals to grow, develop and achieve their potential. I’m passionate about supporting this mission and helping LCC continue to drive positive changes.

Taylor: Being able to help serve the students and our community in a different capacity and having a voice for the very college that helped pave the way for me.

Smith: Successful educational institutions are essential to having a successful community. I want to make sure that LCC stays a successful institution and make sure we are preparing students for the careers of tomorrow.

Why do you think you would make a good board member? 

Frazier: Trustees should prioritize student success and advocate for policies that foster academic excellence. A good trustee understands the needs of that community and community focus. They should support initiatives that promote inclusion, equity and opportunities for all students, particularly underserved groups. A trustee should have the ability to see the bigger picture and help guide the college in setting long-term goals. They need to support initiatives that ensure the institution remains competitive, innovative and responsive to the changing educational landscape. Trustees must be transparent and need to be ethical stewards of the college’s resources, ensuring fiscal responsibility and organizational integrity.

Trustees should work well with other board members, the administration, faculty and students. Active listening and clear communication are essential in addressing concerns and advocating for the college’s needs. Promoting LCC to the broader public, highlighting the institution's achievements, and advocating for its value is essential. A trustee should help tell the LCC story, ensuring its programs and opportunities are well-known and appreciated. In a rapidly evolving educational and economic environment, a trustee should be open to change and innovation. They should support strategies that allow the college to adapt to new challenges, such as emerging technologies and shifting workforce demands.

Taylor: I have a passion for our students and a unique connection with LCC and students. I previously managed the Credit Union branch located in LCC's Gannon Building making impactful connections. I've seen first-hand what students want, need and where they are in different areas of their lives. I work well with teams and through my experiences on several other boards, I will be able to bring my areas of expertise to the Board of Trustees. Plus, I have a college student myself. My daughter is a senior at University of Michigan. I know what it feels like to have to be a student in today's ever-changing economy firsthand.

Smith: I think there are three important attributes of successful leaders. 

1. The ability to listen: Successful leaders represent everyone, not just the people that agree with them. They are also always looking for new and better ways to do things, whether by their own ideas or listening to someone else's.
2. They are willing to compromise: Finding ways to make various groups of people happy is often difficult. But successful leaders are able to mediate the differences between individuals and groups to find solutions and compromises to drive the community forward.
3. They work hard and lead by example: Time is our most valuable asset as people. Successful leaders invest significant time into building collaboration; developing ideas and making sure those ideas are then implemented.

As a lifetime member of our community and long-time neighborhood leader, I have always brought these three qualities to the table, and would once again bring them to the LCC Board of Trustees.

What are two things you would like to change or improve about the way LCC currently operates?

Frazier: Two areas I would focus on to enhance LCC are student engagement and sharing our story. While our student engagement is strong, I believe there’s an opportunity to further develop student leadership, empowering students to take on more active roles. Secondly, I would work on raising awareness of LCC’s many outstanding programs and people. There are so many hidden gems at LCC, and I’d love to see us celebrate and promote the incredible work happening within our community.

Taylor: LCC has some great programs and systems already in place. With that said, 1. I would like to focus on financial wellbeing and looking for more opportunities to get students financially sound for our current economic state. 2. I want to continue to look for ways to get valuable, measured feedback from students to continue focusing on retention rate at LCC.

Smith: I believe that community colleges should be an educational Swiss army knife. I want it to be whatever the student needs it to be in order to find success. So, I want to see us continue to develop vocational pathways, and I also want better engagement with students to see what they want to have on campus.