Three New Appointments to Aims Community College Board

Three candidates have been appointed to the Aims Community College Board of Trustees following the cancellation of the scheduled election due to a lack of competing nominations. The college announced that a resolution passed during a special meeting on Tuesday confirmed these appointments, which were necessary as only three candidates filed to run for the available positions.

Marilyn Schock will continue to serve as the trustee for District C, representing the northern segment of Weld County, which includes the towns of Windsor, Severance, and Eaton. Schock’s reappointment extends her term by four years, a decision that reflects her ongoing commitment to the college and its community.

Rhonda Solis, who previously served two terms on the Greeley-Evans School District Board of Education and has experience on the state board of education, has been appointed to represent District D. This district encompasses Greeley and one-third of Greeley-Evans School District 6. Solis takes over the position currently held by Gene O’Hara, who is completing his second term this fall.

Marcella Mieczkowski has been appointed to a two-year term in District E, succeeding former trustee John Haefeli, who passed away earlier this year. Mieczkowski’s appointment fills the vacancy created by Haefeli, who was elected in 2023. Cristóbal (Chris) Garcia had served in an interim capacity for this position since July but chose not to run for election. He will remain on the board until December.

Details of the Appointments and District Coverage

Solis and Mieczkowski are set to commence their terms in January 2024. The Board of Trustees includes other representatives such as Jeannine Truswell, who serves District B, and Heidi Windell, who represents District A. Truswell is a long-time resident of Greeley and previously held the role of president and CEO of the United Way of Weld County. Windell represents the southern boundary of the college’s district, covering Gilcrest, LaSalle, and Platteville, among other areas.

Aims Community College trustees are usually elected to four-year terms by voters within the college’s taxing district, which includes all of Weld County and parts of Adams, Larimer, Logan, and Morgan counties, as well as the city and county of Broomfield.

According to Aims Community College, only three candidates submitted nomination petitions with the necessary signatures to qualify for the ballot. The nomination period ran from August 6 to August 29, 2023. As a result, state law permits the board to cancel the election and declare the candidates elected when there are no contested nominations.

The new appointments reflect a commitment to ensuring continued governance and representation for the communities served by Aims Community College. With these changes, the Board of Trustees is poised to address the educational needs of its diverse districts effectively.