Through patient and nuanced board work as well as strategic administrative hiring and oversight, Nicky’s work helped the District successfully manage the Covid crisis that shuttered all four of the District’s colleges, forcing almost all classes into an online format with zero preparation. At the same time, Nicky’s teamwork on the Board helped implement governance, management and financial reforms leading Peralta back to full accreditation from ACCJC, the accrediting agency for California community colleges. Nicky also supported administrative reforms that led to consolidation and streamlining of senior administrative positions with an estimated savings of $500,000 which can be invested right back into direct student support and learning.

With Nicky’s participation, the Board was also able to improve Peralta’s financial status and public bond ratings, strengthen the District’s financial reserved (over 10%), overcome a misguided and hostile take-over effort from the State Chancellor’s office, and weather other hostile attacks from opportunistic elements of Peralta’s “old guard” who had hampered the District for decades. With the successful appointment of Trustee Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, Peralta now has a fully-functioning board that is representing our communities with integrity and intelligence. (See below.)