Photo Provided By Richard A. Vasquez
Vasquez Announces Candidacy, Challenging Incumbent Austin Fölnagy
By Kat Tabor
Richard A. Vasquez, a self-employed consultant with a background in legal studies and education, has announced his candidacy for the Lane Community College (LCC) Board of Education, seeking to represent Zone 4. The seat, which covers eastern Lane County, is currently held by Austin Fölnagy, who is running for re-election.
Vasquez currently serves as the District 5 representative on the Lane County Parks Advisory Committee, a volunteer board that provides recommendations on park-related issues. He has also served as a trustee at San Joaquin Delta College in California and held leadership roles in several community organizations.
In an interview with The Torch, Vasquez said his involvement in education governance began while he was still a student at San Joaquin Delta College.
“I was actually working on my bachelor’s, so I was a student, and since I was sitting on other committees — the president’s council, measures and the budget committee — I thought maybe to go ahead and take on a leading role in the community,” Vasquez says. “I held that position for four years, and when I relocated to Oregon, my leadership roles overlapped.”
When asked about diversity, equity and inclusion, Vasquez, a Native American, emphasized the importance of diversity in education and the classroom. “My background is in Native American culture. I’m from a California tribe, near Yosemite Valley,” he said. He explained how cultural knowledge enriches the classroom, particularly in educating students about the history and traditions of those who came before us.
Vasquez noted that he has authored several books on the subject, including one focused on leadership in the 21st century. He stressed that effective leadership in education and the community requires a deep understanding of culture, inclusion and equality. He also highlighted the decline in funding for DEI programs in many areas, emphasizing its impact on fostering inclusive learning environments.
“Diversity, huh? Well, I published my first book on diversity, so I am a firm believer that diversity is a must, not only in education but in the classroom,” Vasquez said. He has two books currently available online Enhancing Teaching in Diverse Classrooms: A Research Proposal Presented to the Faculty of Humphreys University, The Outbreak of Coronavirus 2020: 1St Edition and his newest book Do You Have Leadership Skills for the 21st Century?
He currently serves on the board of Singing Creek Educational Center, an organization that provides workshops on Oregon’s pioneer and Native American history. He pointed out that funding for the center was cut through executive orders issued by President Trump.
“A lot of people don’t understand that diversity is about cultural awareness — about understanding someone’s different beliefs,” Vasquez said. “We’re not all going to believe the same. But to adapt in one room under the same umbrella, we have to acknowledge somebody’s differences and how they were raised.”
Vasquez expressed concern over the impact of DEI funding reductions on education, emphasizing the need for increased financial support for DEI programs. He mentioned that adequate resources are essential for fostering cultural understanding and ensuring inclusivity in educational settings.
Vasquez said his experience as a community college trustee would inform his approach to serving on the LCC board. He said the board should have filled a recent vacancy before the election. “To maintain a strong image, the board should have filled that vacancy,” he said. “Filling the vacancy would have helped strengthen the college’s leadership,” he says.
Vasquez told The Torch he plans to attend the LCC Board of Education meeting for the first time March 5.
Vasquez said he holds an associate degree in criminal justice, and he lists a bachelor’s degree in legal studies, and a master’s degree in education administration from Humphrey’s University in Stockton, California on his candidate filing form. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Trident University, according to the form and a certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Oregon.
The deadline for new voter registration is April 29. For more information on Lane County’s special elections, visit LaneCounty.org. Voters can check their registration status at SOS.oregon.gov.
The Torch will be covering the candidates throughout the election process. If you would like to share information or be featured, please reach out via email at kattabor.journalism@gmail.com.
