Meet Your Palomar Governing Board Candidates: A short quiz to see which candidate might be right for you

The Telescope asked Palomar Governing Board candidates their thoughts on current student issues—take our quiz to see which best aligns with you.

Victoria Gudmundson, Opinion Editor • October 2, 2024

Hector Flores

(Courtesy photo of Hamilton-Bleakley)

With the November election season fast approaching, The Telescope took some time to meet with all the candidates for Palomar’s Governing Board positions. As a staff, we compiled a list of questions with student concerns in mind to ask each candidate. We have complied their answers to make the following quiz for you to see which candidate you most align with in six short multiple choice questions.

Note: There are four candidates running for two governing board seats in different areas. If you get a result outside your area, scroll to the bottom to see all the candidates.

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6 Total Questions

Question 1/6

Which reason for becoming a member of Palomar's Governing Board do you agree with most?

A commitment to higher education and a desire to make a difference in the Palomar community.

Ensuring higher education reaches the surrounding rural communities

Concerns over changing student needs post-COVID

The importance of focusing on the future of affordable community colleges

Question 2/6

What do you think makes a qualified governing board member?

Having a doctorate in intellectual history and political thought and teaching philosophy at university level for 10 years

Having a master's degree and nearly 20 years’ experience in high school level education

Being a Palomar governing board member for 2 years and owning a small business

Having a doctorate in cultural psychology and over 40 years’ experience in higher education, specifically community college

Question 3/6

Outside of governing board meetings, how involved do you believe a governing board member should be on campus?

Once a week for events, activities, and to hear student concerns

Two to three times a month for activities and events

Multiple times a week to engage with the Palomar community frequently

When invited by faculty and students for events and activities

Question 4/6

Which improvements would you most like to see at Palomar?

More local high school students attending Palomar

Implementing community garden and better food options

Expanded academic and mental health counseling

Dual enrollment to serve distant communities, affordable textbooks, and culinary classes

Question 5/6

What do you think is the best approach to ensuring the Palomar budget is being spent with students in mind?

Asking "How does this impact students?" and putting themselves in the student's shoes

Listening to students and staff and their needs to create an environment that is best for students

Conservative budgeting to be prepared for hard times so there is no interruption for students

Looking at data and statistics to identify what works in terms of expenditures and if it aligns with student needs

Question 6/6

How do you think a governing board member would best address the staffing issues at Palomar?

Looking at why the issue exists in the first place and addressing those reasons

Finding ways to hire students for appropriate positions where staff is lacking

Market the campus as a place where employees want to work because of competitive salaries and thriving environment

Placing an importance on ensuring adequate staffing and setting a direction to achieve it

All Candidate Results

Edward Pohlert-Area 2

Edward Pohlert, governing board candidate for Area 2. (Hector Flores)

Edward Pohlert will be on the ballot for Area 2, which includes San Marcos, Escondido, and a small part of Oat Hills and Valley Center. He's soon to retire from a long time position as a counselor and the Faculty Director for Retention Services at MiraCosta College after over 40 years working with students in higher education. As a San Marcos local, Pohlert is passionate about working with students for students and hopes to further build the Palomar community as a Governing Board member. If he were to take a class at Palomar he would take American Sign Language. Read more about Edward Pohlert in our objective news story.

Yvette Acosta-Area 2

Yvette Acosta, governing board candidate for Area 2. (Hector Flores)

Yvette Acosta will be on the ballot for Area 2, which includes San Marcos, Escondido, and a small part of Oat Hills and Valley Center. She is a school counselor and psychologist for Escondido High School with nearly 20 years working in education. Acosta is passionate about empowering students through education and ensuring high school students pursue higher education. If she were to attend a class at Palomar, she would take visual merchandising. Read more about Yvette Acosta in our objective news story.

Holly Hamilton-Bleakley-Area 4

Holly Hamilton-Bleakley, governing board candidate for Area 4. (Courtesy Photo)

Holly Hamilton-Bleakley will be on the ballot for Area 4, which covers Ramona and Poway. She has been a philosophy professor at the University of San Diego for ten years specializing in teaching moral and political philosophy. Hamilton-Bleakly is passionate about ensuring both faculty and student concerns are considered and their mental health is prioritized. If she were to attend a class at Palomar, she would take photography. Read more about Hamilton-Bleakley in our objective news story.

Michelle Rains-Area 4

Michelle Rains, governing board candidate for Area 4. (Hector Flores)

Michelle Rains will be on the ballot for Area 4, which covers Ramona and Poway. She is the small business owner of the bar and grill Cheers in Ramona and the incumbent governing board member looking for re-election after two years on the board. Rains is passionate about expanding Palomar's reach to better include students in the rural and distanced communities it serves. When she was a student at Palomar, she attended the Alcohol and Other Drug Studies program. Read more about Michelle Rains in our objective news story.

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About the Contributor

Victoria Gudmundson, Opinion Editor

Victoria Gudmundson is a journalism major and ceramics student at Palomar College as a lifetime learner. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature at Chapman University and decided to return to school for a different writing experience before pursuing her master’s in creative writing. In her free time, she enjoys all forms of art, reading science fiction, and playing with her dogs.