Appointed in July 2024, Weismann Aims to Secure a Full Term on the LCC Board of Education
By Kat Tabor
The Lane Community College Board of Education appointed Julie Weismann to fill the Zone 3 vacancy at its Jul. 17, 2024 meeting. She will complete the term, which expires on June 30. Now, Weismann is running in the May 20 special election to retain her seat running against Devon Lawson.
The Zone 3 seat was vacated in May 2024 after former board member Mike Eyster announced he was moving out of the district. Zone 3 represents an area generally described as Springfield and Marcola.
Weismann has an extensive background in nonprofit leadership and governance, previously serving as executive director of the Hope & Safety Alliance, formerly known as Womenspace. She recently transferred to a finance position within the organization, focusing on grant writing and financial management.
Beyond her leadership roles, Weismann has served on the Poverty and Homelessness Board in Lane County and has been an instructor for Futures Without Violence, specializing in board governance and equity. Weismann graduated from Lane Community College with an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree before earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Oregon.
Among those considered for the appointment in July 2024 were Robert “Bob” Brew, a retired public sector manager with experience in higher education administration and public finance, and Anthony Reed, a foreman at Lease Crutcher Lewis and a union journeyman carpenter. After announcing his candidacy, Brew has withdrawn from the race for the 7th seat in the upcoming May election, as communicated with The Torch on March 8.
In an interview with The Torch, Weismann highlighted her deep connection to community colleges and her personal journey in education.
She began her higher education at De Anza College in Cupertino, California, and later became deeply involved in student government. Rising through the ranks, she was elected president of the Student Government Association for California, representing 107 colleges and 1.5 million students. In this role, she relocated to Sacramento and worked as a lobbyist advocating for students within the California community college system.
Weismann highlighted that her educational journey was unconventional — they restarted their college career at LCC at age 51 with the help of the Ford Family Restart Scholarship. She went on to earn her Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree at LCC before transferring to the University of Oregon. She later became a pro tem instructor at the UO School of Law, teaching nonprofit board governance.
“I’m not lying when I say that I love LCC and feel very connected and passionate about making sure that students get what they need,” Weismann said.
Weismann emphasized that she is not using this position as a stepping stone for political advancement. “I want to be there for a while,” they said, adding that she is committed to ensuring LCC remains a sanctuary for students, particularly in an era of increased scrutiny on equity and inclusion policies.
They also expressed concern about the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on campus. “Teachers want to know what happens if ICE knocks on their door in the classroom,” she said. “We do fire drills and shooting drills — let’s do an ICE drill.”
Weismann says they support LCC President Stephanie Bulger’s stance on diversity, equity and inclusion, emphasizing the importance of providing a safe and welcoming environment for all students. “The community gets what it needs, the workforce gets what it needs and students get what they need,” she says.
At the time of publishing, candidates who have filed for the Lane Community College Board of Education election include Jeffrey Cooper and Jerry Rust for Director Zone 1, Julie Weismann and Devon Lawson for Zone 3, Richard Andrew Vasquez and Austin Fölnagy for Zone 4, and Jesse Alejandro Maldonado for At-Large Position 7 (2-Year Unexpired Term).
The voter registration deadline for new voters is Apr. 29 to be eligible for the special district election. To learn more about Lane County special elections, visit LaneCounty.org and check voter registration status at My Vote at SOS.oregon.gov.
The Torch will continue 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.
