The late comedian George Carlin famously observed, “It’s a great big club, and you ain’t in it.” That line increasingly applies to the Merced College Board of Trustees.
As a longtime faculty member who has served in campus leadership, I’ve seen a troubling shift. Instead of asking probing questions or serving as an independent check on administrative decisions, recent board meetings have felt like rubber-stamp affairs — short, unanimous votes following top-down recommendations, capped off with recaps of ribbon-cuttings and VIP events.
Good governance requires active supervision, transparent inquiry, and a deep understanding of what happens inside the classroom. Voters in Trustee Area 4 (central Merced) and Area 7 (Planada/Le Grand/South Merced) can restore that accountability by electing Rich Randall and Bob Geyer.
Randall and Geyer bring decades of hands-on teaching experience at Merced College, along with real-world perspective. If elected, they would bring irreplaceable classroom insight to the board while working to repair what Randall describes as a noticeable lack of “relational trust” across campus.
A political science professor at the college for over two decades and former faculty association president, Randall understands how to build consensus without sacrificing independence. He isn’t running to tear down administration. As a lead negotiator on past contracts, he knows how to praise progress while tackling tough issues with a fair, balanced approach. Randall’s priorities include protecting the college’s financial standing and expanding professional development for faculty, knowing energized teachers directly boost student success.
In Area 7, Geyer offers a compelling mix of deep institutional history and fresh leadership. Having first arrived at the college in 1969, Geyer is a crop science professor, rancher, and former CEO with extensive corporate experience in agriculture, construction, and distribution. He recognizes that healthy institutions require “fresh faces, fresh thoughts, and fresh thinking.”
Crucially, Geyer listens to our local community’s workforce needs. Local farmers and business owners continuously report a shortage of skilled trades workers — from welders and truck drivers to plumbers, electricians, and tractor mechanics. Geyer is committed to bridging that gap by expanding Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that directly connect students to good-paying local jobs.
It’s no surprise that both candidates earned the endorsement of the Merced College Faculty Association and the California School Employees Association, while Randall also gained the backing of the Merced College Police Officers Association. The employees who keep this campus running every day know who will advocate for academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and student outcomes.
Competition on the ballot is healthy for democracy, especially when local lives have been transformed by the college. Maintaining a thriving institution requires trustees who view their role as a public trust, not a social club. We need leaders who will listen to educators, ask meaningful questions, and put taxpayers and students first.
This election season, send a clear message for accountability and reform: vote Rich Randall for Area 4 and Bob Geyer for Area 7 by Nov. 3.
Patrick Mitchell is a mathematics professor at Merced College.