Voters have elected Diana Y. Mooy, an Ysleta Independent School District administrator, to the El Paso Community College for District 6. They also voted in District 4 incumbent Jesus Mendez, who the board appointed last year.
Mooy, 40, won nearly 60% of the votes. She campaigned for additional resources for family-friendly schedules that would engage students of all ages. The El Paso native said she wants the college to offer flexible learning options, more community engagement and workforce development programs that could be accessed evenings, weekends and summers.
Mendez, 63, who joined the board last year to fill an unexpired term, won 52% of the votes and avoided a runoff against political newcomer Eduardo Flores, who earned 32%. The incumbent said he wanted to keep his seat because it was a way to give back to the community. He earned his welding certification at EPCC and said that credential led to his professional success to include ownership of Winsupply of West El Paso.
Mendez could not be reached for comment Saturday night after the El Paso County Elections Office issued final results. He and Mooy are EPCC alumni.
Flores, 23, came up short in his first political bid. He works at EPCC’s Curriculum and Instructional Development Office, and for a public relations firm. His main campaign plan was to create a scholarship program that could make college free for EPCC students who meet certain criteria.
Mooy said that she was ecstatic by the early returns as she was surrounded by about 15 family members and friends at Ardovino’s Pizza, 1879 N. Zaragoza Road. The group had just completed working the polling sites, and were “sunburned and sticky” but very happy.
“I’m beyond excited,” she said between bites of pepperoni pizza. “I’m ready to serve and learn. My excitement comes from my love of lifelong learning.”
EPCC Board of Trustees Chair Brian Haggerty said he looked forward to continuing his work with Mendez and the addition of Mooy will be a tremendous asset to the board.
“I congratulate both of them,” Haggerty said. “This will be great for us.”
The District 6 seat had been held by the late Nina Piña, who died in January.
District 5 trustee Carmen Olivas Graham was unopposed in this election. Her district encompasses parts of the Eastside. She is the board’s vice chair and a Socorro Independent School District administrator. She will be sworn in for her fourth term during the board’s May meeting.
Olivas Graham said she spent part of her day checking the polling sites. As an SISD official, she was curious about those races as well as for the Mooy-Mena contest.
The incumbent said she was happy to have not had to wait for election results this year. Olivas Graham recalled some elections where she only won by a few votes. She said it is a reminder how important every vote can be. She is glad election season is over.
“Now it’s time for us to focus on student success,” she said.
Early voting results (rounded):
District 4
- Eduardo Flores, 23, works in EPCC’s Curriculum and Instructional Development Office: 32%
- Luther Marcena, 66, is an entrepreneur who retires this month as a chief technology officer: 16%
- Incumbent Jesus Mendez, 63, owner of Winsupply of West El Paso: 52%
District 6
- Eduardo “Eddie” Mena, 58, retired Federal Express driver/cargo handler: 40%
- Diana Y. Mooy, 40, YISD associate superintendent of Technology Information Services: 60%
During their campaigns, candidates spoke about their desires to keep tuition affordable – or even free for some students, enhance the college’s efficiency and financial accountability, maintain the tax rate, develop mentorship programs and flexible, family-friendly options for lifelong learners, increase faculty salaries add to or improve faculty training, upgrade equipment to stay current with workforce needs.
The newly elected trustees will take office at the board’s May 28 meeting in the EPCC Administrative Services Building, 9050 Viscount Blvd.
Trustees are unpaid and serve six-year terms. The seats are nonpartisan.
The seven-member board governs the 25,600-student college district, sets its vision, oversees the college president, adopts the annual operating budget and sets the tax rate. The current board adopted a $166.5 million budget for this fiscal year.