The results of April 11 election, commenced new leadership as part-time engineering professor at CSULB Uduak-Joe Ntuk beat longest tenured Trustee Jeff Kellogg in the LBCC Board of Trustees Area 1 election.
After the election defeat members of the board and students react as Kellogg will be exiting in July after 16 years of serving on the board.
Jorgel Chavez, Student Trustee said, “I was surprised about the results, Jeff has been serving the community colleges for a long time, but it was a pleasure serving and an honor working with Kellogg.” Uduak-Joe will be a great addition to the team. His objectives will reflect the direction the citizens of the city of Long Beach and a step forward for LBCC.
Throughout his time on the board Kellogg accomplished the establishment of both Youth in Government and Kids Council, programs that teach and promote student involvement with government.
Board of Trustees Area 2 representative and the first Latina elected on the board, Vivian Malauulu said, “Kellogg’s experience was valuable to me as a new Trustee.”
Members congratulate and look forward to the new addition as Ntuk becomes the first African-American male to serve on the board and further reflects the diverse community of Long Beach.
Ntuk has vocalized his ambitions and concerns for students and campaigned by connecting with voters who saw his story reflected in themselves. He was a former LBCC student who was working two jobs and a teen parents, to later becoming a professor at CSULB in 2015.
Malauulu added, “He is someone who truly knows the need of the community and I look forward to working with him.”
Board of Trustees Area 4 representative Douglas W. Otto commends Ntuk on his win but acknowledges “It’s going to be a lot of work.”