BOARD MEMBER
|
BIOGRAPHY
|
 |
Debbie Justeson, who was elected to the Governing Board in 2010, has served as the
Board President since 2022. She has been an educator for about 35 years and her teaching experience spans from preschool
to post-graduate-level courses. She continues to teach full-time as a math teacher
at San Diego Virtual School, and as a lecturer for the Department of Teacher Education
at San Diego State University. She previously taught math at Grossmont and Cuyamaca
colleges and received the Adjunct Teacher of the Year Award twice. She has presented at several math conferences nationwide and as an adjunct faculty
member, was actively involved in campus committees and teachers' associations. Trustee
Justeson believes that education is the best pathway out of poverty; thus, she is
devoted to promoting higher education to East County youth and their families.
|
 |
Brad Monroe, who was elected in 2018, is the 2023 Board Vice President after serving
as President in 2021. He has 48 years of experience as a community college educator.
He was founding chair of the Ornamental Horticulture program at Cuyamaca College for
32 years, after serving as founding chair of the Southwestern College Ornamental Horticulture
program. His focus as a trustee includes providing the students with the highest quality
education, maintaining financial stability in the District while working towards salary
equity within employment groups, improving District operational functions, and working
with District staff on the oversight of construction projects in the District.
|
 |
Elena Adams, Board Clerk; term 2016-2024
District Seat 4, Areas: Rural East County, Alpine, Jamul, and all the way to the Imperial
County line
Elected in 2016, Elena Adams is the 2023 Board Clerk. She was an educator for 38 years
at the San Diego Community College District, retiring in 2018 as well as Grossmont
Adult School (1983-1998). She received the Unsung Hero Award two times from the San
Diego Community College District and, in her work as a PTA president and secretary,
was awarded the State of California PTA Service Award. Trustee Adams has been an East
County resident for 47 years and her children attended East County public schools,
including Grossmont College. She is committed to student success in college transfer
and career technical training programs and assisting students in becoming economically
self-sufficient.
|
 |
Julie Schorr, who was elected in 2020, has been a public school teacher for 30 years.
She holds a Master of Arts degree in counseling from San Diego State University and
a California administrative credential. She is a department chair at Granite Hills
High School and teaches World Language classes, as well as Acellus, a credit-recovery
teaching platform. Schorr received the American Association of Teachers of French
outstanding teacher award in 2018 and was named Teacher of the Year in 2017. She wrote
the self-study that allowed Granite Hills High School to become an International Baccalaureate
school, the only such school in East County. She is committed to ensuring an equitable
teaching and learning environment for all faculty, staff, and students; promoting
diversity, equity, cultural awareness, and inclusion at the colleges; and ensuring
that community college education remains affordable and accessible for all students.
|
 |
Elected in 2022, Desiree “Desi” Klaar served as a human resources professional in
public education for 15 years. She now teaches business and marketing through San
Diego Community College District’s California College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP)
program. Desi enjoys developing processes, establishing goals, and using her analytical
skills to achieve results. Once a Grossmont College student, Desi said the education
she received changed her life. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business
from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s in biology from Miami University of
Ohio. Among her priorities are increasing community outreach and engagement to ensure
that potential students are aware of the many opportunities available at Grossmont
and Cuyamaca colleges.
|
 |
Cesar Nuñez was elected Grossmont College Student Trustee in 2023. A Psychology major,
Cesar is also the incoming President of the Associated Students of Grossmont College
(ASGC). He is a member of the Puente program and previously served on the ASGC Board
of Directors and on the college’s Speech and Debate team. Originally from Lakeside,
Cesar wants to continue to increase the college’s on-campus social and networking
opportunities, and feels passionate about “putting the community back in community
college”. He hopes to transfer to San Diego State University, and eventually become
a school counselor.
|
 |
Courtney Etnyre is serving a second term as Cuyamaca College’s Student Trustee. She
considers herself a lifelong student, and is seeking both an associate degree in real
estate from Cuyamaca College and an associate degree in American Sign Language from
Grossmont College. In addition to her service as a Student Trustee, Courtney is a
member of the California Community College Women’s Caucus and she is Cuyamaca College’s
delegate to the Region X Student Senate for California Community Colleges. She is
also the Cuyamaca College student representative on the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee
and Facilities & Sustainability Committee. She served as the student member on the
Governing Board’s DEIA Ad Hoc Committee.
|