MiraCosta College Board of Trustees Name New President and Vice President

The MiraCosta College Board of Trustees elected a new President and Vice President during the regularly scheduled board meeting on Thursday, December 16, 2021. Anna Pedroza will assume the role of president and Frank Merchat as vice president. Board President Pedroza will preside over the Board meetings beginning January 27, 2022. 

Pedroza, first appointed to the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees in September 2017 and elected in November 2018, represents Area 1, the southernmost portion of the MiraCosta College District, which currently includes the City of Del Mar and community of Carmel Valley.

Pedroza’s career as an educator began at age 20 as an instructional aide at Torrey Pines High School, teaching Spanish, English, and English Language Development (ELD). She now serves as the director of human resource for a local high school district.

“I believe that my educational experience, as well as my knowledge of our community and its stakeholders, provides me with a unique lens to support the MiraCosta College Board in fulfilling its mission. I look forward to serving in the capacity of Board President to advance the tremendous efforts currently underway and planned for the District,” explains Pedroza. “MiraCosta College is not only preparing students for the careers of tomorrow but ensuring the District is prepared to serve students and meet the demands of the workforce 15 years from now.”

Frank Merchat represents MiraCosta College Trustee Area 4, currently the eastern portion of Carlsbad, since April 2015. Before his appointment, Frank served for five years on the MiraCosta College Foundation Board of Directors. After working for thirty years in the computer and software industries, Merchat pursued his lifelong dream of building his own company. Merchat is the founder and managing director of Night Oak LLC, a commercial real estate investment company.

During the January 27, 2022, meeting the Board of Trustees anticipates adopting final, adjusted trustee area boundaries at the second hearing.  Click to view the interactive proposed maps.

To stream the Board of Trustees meeting, please contact Julie Bollerud at jbollerud@miracosta.edu.

​About MiraCosta College

​The MiraCosta Community College District has served the coastal North San Diego County area for over 80 years. More than 19,000 credit students annually in over 70 disciplines enroll in associate degrees, university transfer and workforce readiness certificate programs. The college also serves over 7,000 students a wide spectrum of educational needs in the region ranging from programs for adult education, community education, basic skills, and ESL to a California Community College pilot program offering the nation’s first baccalaureate degree in biomanufacturing. As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), veteran and military supportive institution, and Achieving the Dream Leader College, MiraCosta College fosters the academic and holistic success of its diverse learners within a caring and equitable environment to strengthen the educational, economic, cultural, and social well-being of the communities it serves. MiraCosta College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).