Foothill-De Anza Appoints Alexander Gvatua to Vacant Seat
De Anza alum promises to be "Sunnyvale's number one advocate for Foothill-De Anza"
Los Altos Hills, CA — At a special meeting held Jan. 15, 2025, the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Alexander Gvatua to fill the vacancy in Trustee Area 2 (central Sunnyvale) created by Patrick Ahrens’ election to the California State Assembly. Gvatua was sworn into office by Chancellor Lee Lambert following the unanimous vote of the governing board.
Gvatua is a graduate of De Anza College who serves as a policy analyst for Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and an adjunct professor of political science at San Jose State University. He was one of five applicants interviewed by trustees for the vacancy.
“We were impressed by all of the applicants, but the combination of Alexander’s connection to the district as a former student, experience as an educator and public policy analyst, and understanding of the board’s role in balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders made him stand out,” said Board of Trustees President Peter Landsberger.
“I think trustee Gvatua’s experience in the public sector and in education will allow him to make an immediate impact at the district,” said Lambert. “I look forward to working closely with him and all the other members of our governing board to further the district’s mission of student success and educational excellence.”
Gvatua earned an associate degree in political science while at De Anza. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from San Jose State University and a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
“I can speak personally to the impact that this district has on the students that go through it every day because I've lived that impact,” Gvatua said in his interview. “I wouldn't be where I am today, and I don't just mean sitting here in front of you, but where I am in my career, where I am in life, if not for my decision to start my education here at Foothill-De Anza. I think having someone who can speak really personally to that impact, to how life-changing an education here can be, I think that's a really good perspective for the board to have.”
Prior to assuming his current position in Supervisor Lee’s office, Gvatua served as a consultant for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, an assistant teacher at Georgetown University, and a legislative director to San Jose City Councilmember David Cohen.
Registered voters of the district have 30 days from the date of the appointment to petition for the conduct of a special election to fill the vacancy under state law. Should no petition be filed, Gvatua will serve the remainder of Ahrens' term, which expires in 2026. To continue service as a Foothill-De Anza trustee beyond 2026, he would have to stand for election. He indicated Wednesday that he intends to do so if he finds that he is effective in the role.
Board members expressed appreciation to all the candidates, saying it was a very qualified group. They encouraged the applicants to stay involved with the district.
The district began the transition from at-large to trustee area elections in November 2022, with governing board members elected to represent Trustee Area 2 and Trustee Area 4. Trustees elected to serve in at-large positions in 2020 continued serving in those positions until the election to represent Trustee Area 1, Trustee Area 3, and Trustee Area 5 in November 2024.
About Foothill-De Anza Community College District
Foothill-De Anza Community College District, which includes Foothill College in LosAltos Hills and De Anza College in Cupertino, is one of the largest community college districts in California, serving approximately 50,000 students per year. Since 1957, the publicly supported and locally governed district with a mission of student success and educational excellence has offered degree and certificate programs that prepare students for university transfer and careers that meet regional workforce needs. For more information, visit www.fhda.edu.
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Posted Jan. 16, 2025