We recommend in the race for Dallas College, District 7

There is a crowded field in the race for the Dallas College board of trustees, District 7, but one candidate stands out as more qualified. Voters should elect former Dallas City Plan Commission member Jasmond Anderson, who has a long history of public service, particularly in promoting economic development in southern Dallas.

Anderson, 49, also has a unique understanding of Dallas College administration, having served as its senior director of real estate planning and development from 2017 to 2021. He told us he was instrumental in developing the college’s $1.1 billion bond program, which was approved by voters in 2019. That experience is important as the college continues to build its bond projects.

As a professor of architecture at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., from 2003 to 2015, Anderson also has gained valuable understanding of faculty and student concerns. He said his primary focus as trustee would be to further partnerships between Dallas College and the public and private sectors to allow more residents to live, work and learn in their communities.

That aligns closely with the objectives of state policy. House Bill 8 shifted state funding for community colleges away from enrollment-based formulas to student outcomes, especially workforce readiness. The bill became law last year.

Nonprofit director Joey Rodriguez, 30, has an obvious passion for promoting access to higher education for the underprivileged. As trustee, he said he would be more innovative than his opponents in promoting more pathways between local school districts and Dallas College.

Medical strategist and pharmacist Kesha O’Reilly also expressed concern about access but said her focus would stress addressing barriers such as transportation and health care.

Those are valid concerns and ones we share. But Anderson is more qualified to help Dallas College thrive, particularly under the state’s new funding model. He gets our nod for this open seat.

DeSoto ISD trustee DeAndrea Fleming also is running but did not participate in our recommendation process.

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