Nicky’s broad expertise in community college issues, both statewide and locally, has rightfully earned him “senior statesman” status in the community college world.
Nicky has served on the following committees for the Faculty Association for the CA Community Colleges (FACCC): Membership and Leadership Committee, Political Action Committee (treasurer), BIPOC Committee (chair). Nicky regularly travels to Sacramento to participate in legislative advocacy, especially partnering with student leaders to push for shared interests.
Nicky also Chaired the FACCC Student Engagement Task Force. Nicky is featured on FACCC’s “About” Page on the FACCC Website. and frequently leads or introduces plenary and keynote sessions at FACCC’s annual policy conference.
He served 3 terms as membership chair for the Asian Pacific American Trustee Association. Nicky has led dozens of Equity and Anti-Racism and Political and Civic Engagement workshops for faculty, staff and students statewide.
During the two years of the pandemic, to help people stay connected to each other Nicky put together 14 separate online training sessions featuring experts and leaders like: Steven Kodur and Debby Klein, respective presidents of the statewide Student Senate of the California Community Colleges (SSCCC) and the statewide Faculty Association of the California Colleges; or local grassroots leaders of Laney College’s Poor People’s Campaign; or union activists and student interns from Los Angeles, San Diego and the S. Bay. Topics ranges from how the housing crisis is affecting student success to free speech and the student press to college leadership from women of color to the roles of educators and student activists addressing the climate crisis. Consistent themes in Nicky’s work include raising up the experience and leadership of everyday people and building bridges across diverse constituents to find common ground.
“Doing the right thing” is another common theme in Nicky’s leadership. After votes of “no-confidence” were passed against then-state chancellor Eloy Oakley Ortiz by the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), the California Community College Independent unions (CCCI), FACCC, the Peralta Federation of Teachers (PFT), other local unions and faculty advocacy groups Nicky courageously joined these advocates to personally travel to Sacramento to testify in front of the state Board of Governors to help them understand why the state Chancellor’s policies and practices were hurting students and the educators who serve them.
He was, in fact, the only community college trustee in the state to give such testimony.