El Paso Matters – 5 candidates vie for 2 EPCC trustee seats; third seat uncontested

Voters will decide who will fill two seats on the El Paso Community College Board of Trustees during the May 3 election. Early voting begins Tuesday, April 22.

In District 4, which represents Central/South El Paso, incumbent Jesus Mendez will face Eduardo Flores, an EPCC employee, and Luther Marcena, who is transitioning out as chief technology officer with Dallas-based Southwest Surety Bonds.

The District 6 candidates are Eduardo “Eddie” Mena, a retired Federal Express employee who formerly served on the Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees, and Diana Mooy, an administrator with the Ysleta Independent School District. This region represents Southeast El Paso. The seat had been held by the late Nina Piña, who died Jan. 17. She had been on the board since 2019.

Carmen Olivas Graham, the board’s vice chair, ran unopposed. An SISD administrator, Graham is completing her third term representing District 5, which encompasses parts of the Eastside.

The successful candidates must earn at least 50% plus one vote to win their elections, which are nonpartisan. If necessary, a runoff election is scheduled for June 7, 2025. The last EPCC runoff election was in June 2017 for the Westside’s District 1.

During the past few weeks, El Paso Matters spoke with the candidates about their backgrounds and why they wanted to serve as a trustee. The contenders, including four EPCC alumni, expressed a desire to enhance student services and outcomes.

Many shared how they agree with the concepts of House Bill 8, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023 and signed into law. It was a revolutionary new funding formula for community colleges that rewarded institutions that graduate more students with credentials and degrees of value, or students who transfer to four-year institutions. The state also provides more money for financial aid and to develop academic programs tied to industry needs.

At this point in the campaign, the candidates either filed finance reports with zero income or stated that they did not plan to accept or spend more than the $1,110 in their campaigns – the threshold that would require them to file the reports.

District 4

Eduardo Flores

Eduardo Flores, 23, is a busy guy. He is juggling studies for two online master’s degrees, and two jobs, including one with EPCC’s Curriculum and Instructional Development Office. Now he wants to be a trustee with plans that include a tuition program for students.

Flores, an El Paso native who grew up in Ciudad Juárez said he wants the college to consider a program similar to the University of Texas at El Paso’s Paydirt Promise, which allows eligible students with family incomes of $100,000 or less to enroll without out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees.

He wants to use funds collected through House Bill 8 to launch a pilot “promise” program. The initial targets would be students in their final year at EPCC who receive no financial assistance. This aid would help the students graduate, which would make the college eligible for additional state funding, Flores said.  

EPCC charges a little more than $3,200 per year and offers financial aid, scholarships and payment plans. Flores said that paying for college would still be difficult for students who do not get financial aid. He said that students who are not burdened by tuition costs are more likely to enroll, stay in school and graduate.

The candidate is a 2021 EPCC graduate who was president of its Student Government Association during the pandemic. He helped with social media spots to alert students where they could get vaccinated, counseled and tutored while off campus.

He said that he cares deeply for the students and the institution, and he wants to see both succeed. He would like EPCC to develop a mentorship program for technical students who want to go into business for themselves, and he wants to raise faculty salaries.

Flores, who also works as a public relations assistant, has rounded out his education, which includes two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso, with several internships with El Paso County, the District Attorney’s Office and a local television news channel.

He said he is driven by the chance to learn, to grow and to engage. He said he is not satisfied with the status quo and looks forward to sharing his skills, knowledge and enthusiasm with the board.

“I always want to accomplish more,” Flores said. “Not just for me, but for the community. I want to be involved.”

Luther Marcena

Luther Marcena, 66, is an entrepreneur who has worked in sales, information technology, management and higher education, including almost nine years as a professor and program manager at EPCC.

Marcena said he thought about running for an EPCC trustee position more than 20 years ago, but was too busy working for himself and others to include city and county government. He said his retirement in May will give him the time to be a college trustee.

“I would like to get into it and find out what is working and what is not working,” said Marcena, who earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and biology from UTEP, an online MBA in information technology management from Western Governors University in Utah and a Ph.D. in computer sciences from Huntington University in Indiana. “That’s my long-term goal. (EPCC) has to be efficient. It has to work.”

The computer technology specialist said he would like the college to have more financial accountability, better programs, enhanced faculty training and equipment upgrades to meet technological advancements. He said the public, who he called clients, would benefit from those enhancements to include older, nontraditional students who want to be upskilled or reskilled. He wants to research which programs should be eliminated and which should be added to address industry needs.

He also suggested that trustees should serve four-year terms instead of six to make them more accountable to voters, and that higher faculty salaries would attract and retain the best instructors.

Shorter trustee terms would require action by the Texas Legislature, according to the Texas Association of Community Colleges.

Marcena said he believes that his multifaceted background makes him the best qualified candidate in the District 4 race. 

After his conversation with El Paso Matters, a review of criminal records found Marcena had been arrested in 1993 for a theft of between $750 and $20,000. The charge was later reduced to theft of over $750. He pleaded guilty to the Class A misdemeanor and was given probation, ordered to do community service and ordered to pay a $500 fine and $104.50 in court costs, records show. He was also ordered to participate in an alcohol treatment program. The order discharged from probation was issued in March 2002.

When reached for comment about the incident, Marcena in an email response said he objected “to the use of background checks on candidates when it is not a requirement of the EPCC Board of Trustees,” adding that he remains focused on the “real issues affecting our community: transparency, educational opportunity and ethical leadership.”

A misdemeanor record does not prohibit a candidate from taking office, according to the Texas Election Code.

Jesus Mendez

When EPCC announced last year that it would accept applications from those who wanted to fill the unexpired term of the District 4 trustee, Jesus Mendez stepped up as a way to give back to his community.

Mendez, a Burges High School graduate, earned a welding certificate from EPCC. That skill helped him find good paying jobs across Texas, which eventually led to his return to El Paso where he started his own business, Winsupply of West El Paso, more than 30 years ago. He also continues to serve as vice president of Common Cents Investment Group, which he helped start 15 years ago.

While he took the occasional college courses in math and general business, he never completed a degree. He said he understood the value of higher education, but also that not everyone needs a four-year degree. He wants to be their voice on the EPCC board.

Mendez, 63, appreciates the college’s involvement with industry to develop the necessary programs to produce high-skilled, in-demand graduates.

He said constituents he has met while campaigning have told him that they want trustees to hold the line on taxes and to keep tuition affordable. Mendez said they also asked him why he would serve without compensation. He said he does it to help and support El Paso.

“(EPCC) is where I got my start,” Mendez said. “Traditional schooling may not be for everybody. I believe many people can succeed without having a four-year degree. Was I one of the fortunate ones? I don’t know, but it’s worked out.”

When asked about past run-ins with the law, Mendez confirmed that he was involved in two DWI arrests in 1993 and 2021. Both cases were dismissed after he successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program.

“I have full faith and trust in our justice system,” Mendez said. “The consequences of the incidents were deserved. However, they do not define my character of being hard-working nor my competency to serve on the board of trustees for EPCC.”

District 6

Eduardo “Eddie” Mena

Eduardo “Eddie” Mena, 58, has an eclectic background and he believes that it makes him the best candidate for this position.

Mena served one term on the Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees, but lost his re-election bid in 2023. He currently serves on the El Paso Central Appraisal District Board of Directors and is active with LULAC Council 132.

“I’ve always liked to give back to the community,” Mena said. “I’m here to serve. I like to stay busy.”

Mena said his time on boards has given him experience with policy and budgets. While SISD is experiencing financial difficulties now, he said that when he left as board president, the district had $90 million in its rainy day fund. 

The candidate was born and raised in the Los Angeles-area, but spent a lot of time in El Paso and Juárez. He joined the Army after high school to get a signing bonus that would help his family keep their home.

Mena served in an infantry unit for 10 years, which included several deployments to countries in Asia, Europe and Central America. He separated from the Army due to Iraq War injuries. The Veterans Administration classified him as 100% disabled.

After the military, he worked for Federal Express where he served as a driver and cargo handler for 30 years. Through the years, he took a couple of college courses, but never completed his degree. Despite his situation, he said he knows about the importance of a college education now and in the future and encourages young and old students to take advantage of it.

He said he wants to do additional research before he shares some of his ideas, but said he would be interested if the college could add a basketball program to its athletics division.

Mena is a former scoutmaster and past president of the Montwood High School band boosters.

Regardless of the election’s outcome, Mena said that he will continue to support EPCC.  

Diana Y. Mooy

Diana Mooy considers herself a lifelong learner and she wants EPCC to capitalize on its status as “a cornerstone of our community” and build on its efforts to engage El Pasoans of all ages and interests.

Mooy, 40, is an El Paso native who grew up on the Eastside. She graduated early from Americas High School to enroll at EPCC. After a year, she transferred to UTEP and decided on an education major.

Because of the convenience, she enrolled at the University of Phoenix where she earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology in 2007, and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction two years later.

The married mother of an 8-year-old son started her teaching career at SISD before moving to the Ysleta Independent School District where she has been the associate superintendent of Technology Information Services since October 2024.

The candidate said she wants to promote flexible learning options, community engagement and workforce development programs that could be offered evenings, weekends and during the summer. These new or existing courses could be for general enrichment such as dance and culinary arts classes, a GED or ESL classes, or to help someone advance professionally.

“EPCC is already doing some really great things with their advanced learning,” Mooy said during a telephone interview. “It’s a matter of continuing that and pushing forward to really promote that.”

If elected, she said she would advertise EPCC’s offerings through social media, community meetings and student groups to increase awareness. She stressed that her plan for District 6 would be to go to where the people are, such as churches, recreation centers and senior centers to talk about available courses. For those who cannot attend such events, she would consider hosting online webinars and question-and-answer sessions.

Mooy also mentioned providing equity in instruction. As a former special education teacher, Mooy said she would advocate for equitable resource distribution, particularly for underrepresented groups to include students with disabilities and first-generation college students.

She wants the community to embrace the mindset of continuous growth and the search for new experiences. 

About the EPCC board & what’s next

Trustees, who serve six-year terms, establish college policies, hire, fire and evaluate the president, set the tax rate and approve the budget. These positions are unpaid.

EPCC enrolled about 25,600 students in fall 2024 and adopted a budget of $166.5 million for this fiscal year. The district includes five campuses throughout the county as well as an Administrative Services Center.

Trustees will get an orientation from the board chair, Brian Haggerty, and EPCC President William Serrata. They will provide background information about the college and information about its strategic plan, mission, vision, goals, and more. The president’s cabinet members also will provide key information about their divisions. The orientations usually last a day, but the presentations are based on the trustees’ availability.  

Candidates must be at least 18 years old on their first day in office, must not have been convicted of a felony, a resident of Texas for a year and a resident in their district for six months.

This will be the college district’s first election since the trustees approved a new district map in early 2023.

The college expects to swear-in the election winners during the May 28 Board of Trustees meeting. If the District 4 race goes into a runoff, that victor will be sworn-in during the trustees’ June 25 meeting. 

The post 5 candidates vie for 2 EPCC trustee seats; third seat uncontested appeared first on El Paso Matters.

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