Kern Community College District (KCCD) Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg spoke in the Levan Center at Bakersfield College and answered questions from students as part of Bakersfield College Student Government Association’s (BCSGA) Legislative Affairs Power Lunch series on Feb. 25.

Gomez-Heitzeberg spoke about her role as a trustee and the positions she’s held before being elected as a trustee.

Before being elected to the Board of Trustees, Gomez-Heitzeberg spent about 30 years working in education in various positions.

From teaching kindergarten to filling the role as vice president of Bakersfield College before officially retiring in 2018, Gomez-Heitzeberg spent her life working with people and learning new things from various positions she’s held.

“Each step of the way I learned something different, and that took me to the next opportunity,” she said.

Although she retired in 2018, she said that didn’t last long before she decided to run for the Board of Trustees for area one.

She spoke about how she had no experience in running a political campaign, let alone how to work the role she was running for.

Despite the lack of experience, she had no concerns because of her confidence she could figure it out, and knew she had people that knew how to figure it out.

“I may not be the brightest person in the room, or the strongest, but I am a person who can figure things out, one way or another,” she said.

“I have watched how Bakersfield College will come together to get something done, so that gave me hope and motivation that this will be something that could work out,” Gomez-Heitzeberg said.

After speaking about her campaign experience, Gomez-Heitzeberg brought up the upcoming elections for two seats on the Board of Trustees for areas two and one which will take place in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

“I am hoping all of you will go out and vote that day,” Gomez-Heitzeberg told the audience about the upcoming elections.

Some goals she would like to see accomplished by the time her term finishes are advocating and bringing more support and resources to the South San Joaquin Valley; support innovative thinking that will help the KCCD be more efficient and effective; and bring forward ideas and decisions that will structure BC with current and future students in mind.

After moderated questions from Mustafa Barraj, Director of Legislative Affairs; and after answering questions, Gomez-Heitzeberg engaged the audience by asking them to share anything they thought she should know about and would like to see addressed.

From expanding shuttle services at Bakersfield College to criticisms against the college bookstore, many students, BC workers, and faculty voiced their concerns, criticisms, and suggestions to Gomez-Heitzeberg.