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Craig Larson, Ed.D, of Manchester, was elected to serve the STLCC board of trustees in the open seat for sub-district four in the April 6 election.
Larson won the election with 39.65 percent of the vote.
Larson met opposition from Tina Odo, who received 30 percent of the vote, incumbent Robert Nelson, who received 20.45 percent, and Robert Michael Johns, who received 9.21 percent.
“I’m very pleased that a number of people encouraged me in December and January to think about running and that a lot of people stepped up and actually helped me with the campaign,” Larson said.
Larson announced his retirement last year from the Rockwood School District, where he has served as superintendent for the past seven years, and said he looks forward to participating in the community college system.
“My next step would be to begin to understand the issues facing the system in more detail,” Larson said. “I don’t hesitate to talk, but I do like to listen. That’s one of my better characteristics. As a new member, I will spend some time taking [the position on the board] in.”
Larson said he is a believer in communication and looks forward to addressing issues that are prevalent to the campuses, and that he encourages open forums among students, faculty and administrators.
“Problems become worse when people don’t talk about them or when we stonewall and don’t want to share our thinking,” Larson said.
Larson will serve as the only male member on the board, a factor he said he is familiar with. “Working in the K-12 system I’ve always worked well with women,” Larson said.
Larson said that following his own advice prompted him to run in the election.
“Over the years I have asked a number of parents to run for the school board because we need good leaders. Many of them were reluctant to make that commitment at the time. There are a lot of difficult issues to resolve,” Larson said, sharing that he was also initially reluctant to run for the seat.
“When I was asked to run for this position I did know if I wanted to commit myself to a six year term. Then I thought about it and said, ‘That’s exactly what you have asked other people to do, and you do have a good background in education.’”
Larson is currently an adjunct instructor at Maryville University. He served the Parkway School District for 27 years and was awarded as the Communications Leadership Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators and the National School Public Relations Association in 2009.
He earned his doctorate in education from Saint Louis University. His master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and bachelor’s degree in education are from the University of Kansas.
Larson said that he does not have a particular agenda or issue he would like to focus on with his new position on the board, but said that he is excited to engage in board policy and would like to “help the college system continue to be a healthy part of the community.”
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