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College Friend: Joy Atkins, a Campbell resident since 1973, has served on the board of trustees of the West Valley- Mission Community College District since 1988.
Public Citizen
Serving in community college district
By Moryt Milo
Joy Atkins calls community college one of the best educational bargains in the valley. She feels so strongly about promoting its importance that she has run and served four times on the West Valley-Mission Community College District board of trustees.
But before this 80-year-old administrator became a member of the board of trustees, she was a district employee for 16 years.
In 1968, she started in the district's personnel department. By the time she retired in 1984, she had become an administrative analyst and had watched the college grow and relocate from the old Campbell Grammar School--the site of the Heritage Village Offices--to its present home in Saratoga.
Even her Campbell home, where she's lived since 1975, was once the former parking lot for West Valley Community College.
She chuckles when asked why she went to work for the district.
"I was looking for a way to eliminate the expenses of having a second car," she says. "My daughter was going to the West Valley College when it was here in Campbell, and I figured if I worked there we wouldn't need two cars."
But her initial reason for becoming involved with the school turned into a passion; so much so that when it was time to decide if she wanted to run a third term for re-election in 1996, she took out a $2,000 bank loan to pay her registration fee and have her statement put on the election ballot.
"I am someone living on a pension and Social Security. My income is fixed but I felt it was worth it to take out the loan," she says.
She sees her role as a continual process, working with the college district to improve its public relations and to help the community recognize what the college has to offer.
"Many people don't realize that the college offers many programs with small classes and teachers who are very involved," she says.
While employed in the district, Atkins would make an effort to attend many of the college's awards ceremonies. She found the events inspiring and says, "It was always amazing to see what the students achieved, having to juggle jobs, family and school."
While an employee, Atkins attended many board meetings and became familiar with the district's philosophy and structure.
The district's recent controversy with the proposed Measure E bond on the March ballot and Chancellor Linda Salter's resignation isn't Atkin's first brush with political conflict.
"I've been through tough times before," she says. "I've seen three chancellors and two interim chancellors leave since 1988."
But she is optimistic about the future of the community college system and its importance as an educational institution. She would like the community to realize what a valuable asset it has right in its backyard.
It is also the reason she has continued to run as a member of the district's board of trustees.
"I wanted to bring some continuity and history to the district," she said. "Our community colleges offer some of the greatest education around and people in California simply don't appreciate it."
Know someone who deserves to be in the paper? A terrific teacher, a compassionate cat lover or outstanding volunteer? How about an artistic genius, an eccentric millionaire or a fabulous flamenco dancer? Nominate a Public Citizen! Send the name of a noteworthy neighbor to Editor, The Campbell Reporter, 1095 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126; fax 408.200.1013; or email ssanchez@svcn.com.
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Campbell, California
