Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my campaign.

As the first in my family to attend college straight through, I was the beneficiary of my family’s work and sacrifices so I could attend higher education.  I first got involved with Santa Monica College over 18 years ago because I wanted to help all students have the same opportunities my family helped give to me.

For the last 16 years, I’ve had the honor and privilege of serving the residents of Santa Monica and Malibu as a member of the Board of Trustees, including two terms as Chair of the Board.  During my time on the Board, the College has achieved even greater success.  We are the number one transfer institution in the State of California and top community college for local residents’ participation.  This year, we launched our first-ever Bachelor’s degree in Interaction Design, to help students get jobs in the 21st century technology-driven job market.  As Chair, I opened the Broad Stage and led the search for our new President Dr. Kathryn Jeffery.  I have fought to keep Emeritus College open and accessible to all who need it.

I started working in Santa Monica at MGM Studios in 1997 and fell in love with this community so I moved to Santa Monica in 1999.  My public service background was in neighborhood groups, as Chair of the Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition.  I was appointed by the City to represent residential interests at Downtown Santa Monica Inc., where I currently am Chair.  As Chair of the Malibu Public Facilities Authority, I was instrumental in bringing a Santa Monica College campus to Malibu.  I serve on the Board of the KCRW Foundation, the leading cultural institution in the region.

Professionally, I am a digital and traditional media and entertainment attorney, where I help bring arts and culture to an audience of 45 million households as General Counsel of the Ovation Television Network, based in Santa Monica.  For the last 16 years, I have been a law professor at Pepperdine, sharing my experience with new generations of students.

As my two children Dashiell (15) and Zora (12) go through the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified school system, I recognize now more than ever how important a good education has been for me and will be for them.  I am more passionate than ever about maintaining our tradition of excellence at Santa Monica College and bringing us to new heights.

I am honored to ask for your support, as I continue to fight for our students and to make Santa Monica College the greatest community college in the world.  Please join me.

– Rob Greenstein Rader