Kendra Carnes

Kendra Carnes served as the Compton Community College District (CCCD) student trustee during the 2022-23 academic year, taking the oath of office on December 12, 2022.

 As the student trustee, Carnes attended all Board meetings, discussed student-related issues, and received all materials presented to members of the CCCD Board of Trustees, except for closed session issues. The student trustee is responsible for making regular reports to the Associated Student Government (ASG) and at other public forums held on behalf of Compton College students as it relates to the business of the District.

“Serving as a student officer and trustee has helped me get more experience and further develop my leadership skills,” said Carnes. “I was not expecting to get involved when I first came to Compton College, but I’m glad I did! I’m dedicated to helping fellow students.”

Carnes had two major goals as student trustee. “I explored different ways for Compton College to offer even more scholarships for its students, she said. “I’d also like to see students have more opportunities to complete paid internships. A lot of students need work and need a means to make money while in school.”

A non-traditional student, Carnes graduated from George Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles and enrolled at a community college. After landing a job with the Los Angeles Clippers and working for a while, she withdrew from college. She says she has no regrets because she learned many different skills at her previous jobs that helped her grow. “However, no matter how much I worked or performed, the companies I worked for never gave me the pay I felt I deserved, so I went back to college to get my degree,” she said. “I felt unaccomplished, but I decided the best thing to do was to return to college so I don’t have this issue ever again.” 

In the spring 2022, Carnes enrolled in a business class at Compton College and then took another class the following summer. She liked the instructors at Compton College and wanted to continue her higher education full time as a communications studies major. Her goal is to graduate with an associate degree and transfer to the University of Southern California or to one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). She visits the counselors in Compton College’s Transfer Center on a regular basis to ensure she is on track to transfer to one of her top two university choices. She is on track to graduate from Compton College in December 2023 and transfer to a four-year university in spring 2024. 

Carnes has worked in suites and events with the Anaheim Ducks, in group events and sports marketing for the Los Angeles Clippers, and served as the commissioner of athletics for Compton College’s Associated Student Government. She is interested in pursuing a future career in sports marketing and professional athlete marketing/representation.

“Compton College’s instructors are not easy, but they are understanding, she said. “I believe the instructors really care about their students’ success more than I’ve experienced anywhere else.” All the student services and free resources offered also persuaded Carnes to enroll at Compton full time, such as a free meal each day at the campus cafeteria, a mobile food pantry and a weekly farmers market with $20 food vouchers for enrolled students, free parking, programs for gas cards and book vouchers, free WiFi hotspot and laptop computer loans, and referrals to housing grants.

Carnes recommends that students who may not be familiar with all Compton College has to offer to explore the different student services offices and begin asking questions, as well as attend an Associated Student Government meeting. In addition, she has this expert tip, “I highly recommend that students take the human development class when they first enroll at Compton College. It is so informational and provides a great orientation about what is available on campus and how to be successful in college, she said. “My first year, I was unaware of this. I would have graduated a long time ago if I knew some of this when I first started.”