Patterson resident Jennifer M. Nicolau will fill the vacancy on the Yosemite Community College District Board of Trustees following the resignation of Anne DeMartini who left the Westport area for Nevada.
The provisional appointment came on Feb. 16, after she and four other applicants were interviewed by the board. Unless a petition is filed containing a sufficient number of signatures with the Stanislaus County Office of Education within 30 days of the appointment, it shall become effective.
Nicolau would serve until the end of 2022 when the Area 4 seat comes up before voters.
DeMartini, who is the wife of former Supervisor Jim DeMartini, resigned effective Jan. 3. The couple left their Ceres area ranch for the Reno area, citing their disdain for the direction of California politics.
Nicolau serves as the senior director of Industry Relations and Communications for the Almond Board of California, her employer since 2008. She oversees industry programs and events such as the Almond Conference, Ag in the Classroom, the Almond Leadership program, and the California Almond Sustainability Program. In addition to being a graduate from Modesto Junior College, where she earned an Associate Degree in Poultry Science, Jenny also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Communications from California Polytechnic State University and a master’s degree in Agriculture Leadership from Oklahoma State University. Nicolau resides in Patterson with her husband and two children.
“The board was truly impressed with all five applicants from Area 4,” said Trustee Chairwoman Margie Bulkin. “Each of their responses to the interview questions underscored the applicants’ depth of commitment to advance the mission of YCCD on behalf of Area 4, and in particular, their interest in championing the wide array of opportunities which Columbia College and Modesto Junior College provide to the community at large.”
Nicolau’s first board meeting will be in April.
The Board is responsible for the performance of the YCCD, which serves area students and provides vital educational services to the communities in and around Modesto Junior College and Columbia College. Board of Trustees Regular Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month.
