Dr. Luis Barrera Castañón, an appointed member of the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees, is running for a full four-year term in the Nov. 3 general election. Three seats are on the ballot. Voters may choose up to three candidates.
Castañón was appointed to the board on Feb. 4, 2025, filling the vacancy left by former board member Barry Snell's election to the Santa Monica City Council, according to Santa Monica College. His appointed seat runs through the Nov. 3 election, when a new four-year term will be filled through the electoral process, according to the college.
He is certified for the Nov. 3 ballot. The other candidates in the race are Kera Blades-Snell, Oscar De La Torre, Sion Roy and Tom Peters, all running as nonpartisan.
Candidate information
- Name: Luis Barrera Castañón
- Office sought: Santa Monica Community College Board
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Residence: Santa Monica
- Education: Associate's degree, Santa Monica College; bachelor's degree, University of California, Berkeley; master of public administration, California State University, Northridge; educational doctorate, California State University, Northridge (2019)
- Occupation: Small business owner; founder of Elevezé Más
Experience and public service
Castañón is a Santa Monica-based small business owner and community leader, according to the college. He is also an SMC alumnus and former Associated Students president at Santa Monica College.
He has over 18 years of experience in education, workforce development and public policy, specializing in career pathway development and cross-systems partnerships, according to the college.
His civic and professional background includes serving as vice chair of the City of Santa Monica Human Services Commission and treasurer of the Santa Monica Democratic Club. He has worked with the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce, Goodwill Southern California, the National Council of La Raza (now UnidosUS) and Para Los Niños, according to the college. The college's announcement did not specify his roles at those organizations.
Castañón is a member of community-based organizations including House of Haven and Raza Golf Foundation, as well as various SMC advisory boards.
On the issues
The positions below are drawn from Barrera Castañón’s campaign website.
Budgeting and fiscal accountability: Barrera Castañón supports reviewing how Santa Monica College’s spending and student outcomes align with California’s Student-Centered Funding Formula. He proposes an analysis of the college’s funding gap, budgeting tied to measurable outcomes and a dedicated workforce development strategy. His stated approach emphasizes investing in student success as a way to strengthen the college’s finances.
Career education and workforce partnerships: Barrera Castañón wants to expand career technical education, work-based learning and partnerships with employers in regional industries. He supports clearer pathways from enrollment to employment that pays a living wage, alongside investment in professional development. He also calls for stronger connections among career services, employer engagement and tracking students’ employment outcomes after they leave SMC.
Campus safety and workplace culture: Barrera Castañón identifies campus safety and rebuilding employee trust as priorities following the October 2024 workplace shooting. He calls for a systematic approach to security cameras, lighting and emergency training, together with clear staffing plans, realistic organizational goals and transparent communication.
Student housing: Barrera Castañón supports using voter-approved bond funding to address housing needs among students experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. His priorities include the Bundy campus and housing solutions across college campuses. The campaign page does not specify a housing-unit target, construction timeline or detailed financing plan.
Enrollment and access: Barrera Castañón supports targeted outreach and programs aligned with regional workforce needs to rebuild enrollment. He argues that board discussions should place greater emphasis on attracting and serving students, alongside decisions about spending reductions. He identifies maintaining an inclusive college environment as part of that effort.
The Santa Monica Community College Board of Trustees oversees Santa Monica College. Members serve four-year terms. Three seats will be filled in the Nov. 3 election.
