By the Pasadena City College Faculty Association Executive Board

The Pasadena City College Faculty Association Executive Board recently endorsed Alton Wang for Area 7, Steve Gibson for Area 3, Kristine Kwong for Area 5, and Francis Pollara for Area 1 in the November 3, 2026 election for the Pasadena Area Community College District Board of Trustees.

We know that endorsements carry weight, and we believe our members, our students, and our community deserve to know why we made these choices.

The Faculty Association is not simply an organization that negotiates contracts. We represent the faculty who work with our PCC students every day, and we have a direct interest in the leadership and policies that shape the College. The Board of Trustees is the District’s policy-forming body. Its responsibilities include approving District policies and budgets, authorizing expenditures, and approving the employment of academic and classified personnel.

In other words, Board elections matter to the people who work and learn at PCC.

In considering candidates, the Executive Board looked for people who understand the role of a community college and the importance of listening to the people who work closest to students.

We believe these candidates demonstrate a commitment to:

• engaging directly with faculty and listening to faculty concerns;
• accessible, high-quality public higher education;
• student success and educational opportunity;
• responsible stewardship of public resources;
• meaningful dialogue with faculty, staff, students, and the broader community;
• collaborative and transparent decision-making;
• respect for the professional expertise of faculty and staff; and
• a strong Pasadena City College for the long term.

The PCC Faculty Association is an independent union, and our guiding principle is simple:

Faculty working conditions are student learning conditions.

That is why the Faculty Association has a stake in Board leadership at Pasadena City College. 

On behalf of our members, the PCCFA Executive Board endorses Alton Wang, Steve Gibson, Kristine Kwong, and Francis Pollara because we believe these candidates have demonstrated a willingness to listen, an understanding of the role of PCC in our community, and a commitment to engaging with the issues facing our students, faculty, staff, and institution.

— Pasadena City College Faculty Association Executive Board