With the resignation of Area 4 Trustee, Anne DeMartini, from the Yosemite Community College District (YCCD) Board of Trustees, effective Jan. 3, the Board of Trustees has filled the vacancy by provisional appointment. In accordance with Education Code Section 5091, Jennifer M. Nicolau was provisionally appointed to the YCCD Board on Feb. 16, through an interview process in which all five trustee applicants were interviewed. Unless a petition is filed containing a sufficient number of signatures with the Stanislaus County Office of Education within 30 days of the provisional appointment, it shall become effective.
Should the provisional appointment become effective, Nicolau may serve until the results of the next regularly scheduled election for governing board members in November 2022 are finalized. The Area 4 position will be up for a full four-year term in the November 2022 election. Interested candidates would have to run for election in November 2022 to fill the vacancy.
Nicolau currently serves as the Senior Director of Industry Relations and Communications for the Almond Board of California, where she has been employed since 2008. In her role as Senior Director, Nicolau oversees industry programs and events such as the Almond Conference, Ag in the Classroom, the Almond Leadership Program and the California Almond Sustainability Program. In addition to being a graduate from Modesto Junior College, where she earned an Associate Degree in Poultry Science, Nicolaus also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Communications from California Polytechnic State University and a Master’s Degree in Agriculture Leadership from Oklahoma State University. Nicolau resides in Patterson with her husband and two children.
“The Board was truly impressed with all five applicants from Area 4. Each of their responses to the interview questions underscored the applicants’ depth of commitment to advance the mission of YCCD on behalf of Area 4, and in particular, their interest in championing the wide array of opportunities which Columbia College and Modesto Junior College provide to the community at large. The Board looks forward to welcoming Ms. Jenny Nicolau, Trustee Area 4, to her first Board meeting in April,” Trustee Chair Margie Bulkin stated.
The Board is responsible for the performance of the Yosemite Community College District, which serves area students and provides vital educational services to the communities in and around Modesto Junior College and Columbia College. Board of Trustees Regular Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month.
