After Cabrillo College Trustee Manuel Bersamin died suddenly on Oct. 26, the college announced Tuesday it is searching for candidates to fill his seat.
Bersamin, a former Watsonville mayor and longtime advocate for first-generation college students, was trustee for Area V, which includes the city of Watsonville.
“With sadness, Cabrillo College today announces that due to the untimely death of Trustee Manuel Bersamin, a vacancy exists in the seat representing Area V of the Board of Trustees of the Cabrillo Community College District,” officials said in a statement this week.
On Monday, the board voted during its meeting to start the process to fill Bersamin’s seat by provisional appointment. The person appointed will begin serving immediately after the board makes a selection during its Dec. 1 meeting, and they’ll serve in the position through the next regular election for the board of trustees in 2026.
To be considered for the seat, interested individuals must reside in trustee Area V (see map here) and they’re encouraged by the college to contact the Santa Cruz County Office of Elections at 831-454-2060 to confirm their residence and voter registration is within the trustee area. Candidates must also be able to participate in interviews at the Cabrillo College governing board meeting at 6:15 p.m. on Dec. 1.
The appointee will be trained on Dec. 2 in order to participate in the finalist interviews for the new superintendent/president of Cabrillo College, taking place on Dec. 3 and 4. President Matt Wetstein is retiring from the college after seven years on Dec. 31.
To request an application, reach out to Ronnette Smithcamp, executive assistant to the superintendent/president, at rosmithc@cabrillo.edu. To request one in person, visit the superintendent/president’s office at 6500 Soquel Dr. at the Cabrillo College Aptos campus. The office is in Room 204 at the Student Activities Center West building.
The deadline to submit applications to Smithcamp or the president’s office is noon Nov. 25.
Contact the president’s office at 831-479-6302 for more information about the position.
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