Trustee Bios

Ruben Perez is the grandson of immigrant farmworkers and son of first generation college graduates. He attended local public schools and later earned B.A.'s in Political Science and Chicano Studies from the University of California, Davis.

Upon graduation, Ruben returned to his hometown of Coachella to serve the community that taught him the values of education, perseverance, and community. While at UC Davis, Ruben also attended Sacramento City College where he learned the importance and true value that community colleges have in their local communities.

Ruben Perez brings a unique perspective to the Coachella Valley, having worked in the California State Capitol and his extensive network has allowed him to gain experience in policy-making, political strategy and community building.

Education

• Doctorate in Computer Education

• Master’s from United States International University; a Bachelor’s in Home Economics

• Teaching Credential from San Diego State

• Associate’s Degree from Southwestern Jr

Information

Board of Trustees, Desert Community College District Area 5 since 1999.

Dr. Stefan has taught at Jefferson Middle School in Indio for 19 years and is currently a teacher at Amistad High School. She taught and set up reading programs throughout the Desert Sands Unified School District, wrote curriculum for San Diego City Schools and was a teacher in both the Sweetwater Unified School District and at Coronado Catholic Church, a Coordinator and English Teacher for Interstudy Exchange Program with Japan, and Lifeguard, Swimming Instructor and Swim Team Coach for the City of Chula Vista.

Her personal interests and hobbies include travel, politics, crafts, playing the piano and being a mom to her West Point graduate daughter, now a U.S Army officer.

Her charitable, community and social affiliations include: member, California Teacher’s Association on the national, state and local levels, former treasurer and political campaign consultant to Congresswoman Mary Bono and former Assemblyman Jim Battin; member, Negotiation Team, Safe Schools Committee, District Strategic Planning Team; member, CTA Republican Caucus; Vice President, President and Past President and Riverside County Representative of the Leadership Association of Southern California; and presenter at the Leadership Association’s Annual Conference and California Activity Directors Association’s Annual Conference. Dr. Stefan’s volunteer work has included: Job’s Daughters, Girl Scouts, Church, 4-H, and the American Red Cross.

Recognition

• 2015 - County of Riverside Public Health Community Champion Award Recipient

• 2012 - Desert Christian Academy “Hero” Award Recipient

• 2012 - Riverside County Fourth District Woman of the Year Nominee

• 2001 - CSUSB Palm Desert Distinguished Award, First Recipient

Education

• Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from California State University San Bernardino; Palm Desert Campus.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration (BS) from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Minor in Health Sciences Administration.

• Associate of Arts Degree (AA) from Mt. San Jacinto College, San Jacinto, CA.

Background

Personal Data

• Mrs. Wilson is Hispanic;

• Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois; resident of Palm Desert;

• One of seven children; moved to California with her family when she was 12 years old.

• Moved to the Coachella Valley in 1990

• Widow of the late Fourth District County Supervisor Roy Wilson (2009). Roy was also a College of the Desert professor for almost thirty years.

• Mrs. Wilson has one daughter from her previous marriage, Ashley, aged 27 years.

Charitable Associations (Current)

• Co-administrator of the Roy and Pat Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund (through the COD Foundation) which provides scholarships to COD students;

• Board Secretary, Regional Access Project Foundation

• Vice President, Friends of the COD Library, Palm Desert

• Chair of the Board, JFK Memorial Foundation, Palm Desert

• Board Member, COD Foundation

• Board Member and Chair, Building Committee for Animal Samaritans, Thousand Palms, California

Statement

Trustee Wilson is excited at the opportunity to bring her combined experience in local government, knowledge of County government, community-based organizations and her communities to serving the College of the Desert, all satellite campuses, the students, faculty and community at large; and to work cooperatively with those efforts closely associated with the success of the College including the COD Foundation and the COD Alumni Association. Mrs. Wilson works with her Trustee colleagues and with the College President to ensure that people for all backgrounds can benefit from education and training; that there is access and student success not only for those in her District (4) but for those in the Coachella Valley. As she represents the public interest she works hard to assure fiscal health and stability of COD.