Eric Gutierrez teaches other how to market themselves as a part-time instructor in the Occupational Preparation program offered through Adult Education at Cerritos College.

Now the single, 30-year-old Norwalk native is trying to market himself as he seeks one of three open seats on the Cerritos College Board of Trustees.

“I see the role of role of Cerritos College expanding,” Gutierrez said.

“I see the college really being a resource center.

“I see it being the communication center between businesses and community-based organizations, while still maintaining and improving student transfer rates.”

He wants to encourage residents in the surrounding areas to areas to enroll at the college.

Gutierrez also wants to look at student’s goals; for example, if a student wants to transfer to a four-year university, improve English skills, or retrain to re-enter the job market.

“I want to help students be the leaders of tomorrow, so they can come back and be teachers here at Cerritos College,” Gutierrez said.

“Wouldn’t that be wonderful, if we had a population that was born, raised, and educated from our system and they came back and became teachers here?”

Gutierrez was raised in the City of Norwalk and attended local schools. He earned both bachelor of arts and master’s degrees from University of California Los Angeles.

He currently is employed as a substitute teacher for both the ABC and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School Districts, teaches part-time at Cerritos College, and does marketing feasibility studies for international and domestic resort and hotel chains.

This is Gutierrez’ first attempt at a political position.

“I’m not using this as a catapult for another political position,” he said. “I’m here to try to help build an effective community. I think that will take longer than four years.”

Gutierrez also states that the Board of Trustees’ number one priority has to be students.

“I would like to make myself readily available to students,” he said. “I have an open-door policy.”

He encourages students to contact him at (562) 500-2506 or e-mail him at [email protected]. He also has a web site with additional information at www.voteERIC.com.

Gutierrez also said he is doing something he thinks no other candidate is doing.

“I am asking for the students’ official endorsement,” he said.

Some of the issues that Gutierrez is interested in addressing are:

oProjected increases in student enrollment and anticipated budget cuts

oRenovations of classroom facilities

oEstablishment of tutorial programs and other student support services

oUpgraded elevators and facilities which meet the needs of the otherly-abled

oAccess to parking

oCommunity outreach

oNeeds of night students

oSafety on campus

oTram usage

oPrice of Books

Some of the endorsements Gutierrez has received are Dorothy Carfrae and Mary Loya, both currently Cerritos College Board members; Martha Escutia, State Senator; Mike Mendez, Rudy Bermudez, and Jesse M. Luera, Norwalk City Council; Hal Malkin, La Mirada City Council; Tony Mendoza, Artesia; Larry Nelson, Mayor-City of Artesia; Filipino-American Democratic Committee; Chicano/Latino Caucus.

Gutierrez is also involved with CBEC – Citizens Building Effective Communities.

“As a teacher, I’ve been able to hear a lot of the needs of the community members,” Gutierrez said Every morning when I’m in the classroom I meet and talk with parents on an informal basis and they tell me what they need.

“These are the children that are going to be coming to our colleges,” he continued.

“I’m always listening to the people in the community where I work, where I teach and where I live. It’s impossible to talk to everyone, but I’m trying to get myself known to as many people as I can.”