Board Members

District Area: Area 4 - Pacific Grove

Current Term Ends: December 2028
Email: cbarberena@mpc.edu

Born and raised in Nicaragua, Dr. Celia Barberena came to the United States on a scholarship to Findlay College, earning a B.A. in Economics and Sociology. She later obtained an M.A. in Spanish Literature and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University. With over 40 years in nonprofit management and higher education, including 25 years in California Community Colleges, Dr. Barberena has been a transformative leader.

Her career includes roles as faculty, director, dean, and vice president at Modesto Junior College, Sacramento City College, and Hartnell College. In 2008, she became the first female president of Chabot College, overseeing over 10,000 students and a $50 million budget.

Retired, Dr. Barberena remains deeply involved in Monterey County, contributing to organizations like the Pacific Grove Rotary Club, Natividad Hospital Board, and Boys and Girls Club. She has served on the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury, the Commission on the Status of Women, and numerous boards, advocating for youth, education, and underserved communities. Celia’s dedication to service and leadership continues to inspire and support future generations.

District Area: Area 5 - Carmel, Carmel Valley

Current Term Ends: December 2028
Email: acrawley@mpc.edu

A Bay Area native, Anita Crawley returned to California after working at community colleges in Illinois and Maryland. With an undergraduate degree in Sociology and graduate degrees in Counseling, Instructional Design, and Ed. Tech. Leadership, her guiding principle has always been to help community college students identify and achieve their academic and career goals. She co-created and taught a Diversity 101 course, launched online student services programs, and directed online learning programs. She served on the Launch Team of the California Community College Virtual Campus.

During her 12 years on the Monterey Peninsula, Anita has volunteered for many social justice initiatives: She co-founded Whites for Racial Equity (Showing up for Racial Justice) and served on the NAACP Executive Committee, chairing the Communications Committee. She creates and maintains websites for these and other local organizations. Anita served two terms as a Monterey County Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights Commissioner, serving as Vice-Chair.

Anita enjoys gardening and walking her dog along the ocean. She and her late husband have two children and four grandchildren.

District Area: Area 2

Current Term Ends: December 2026
Email: yanderson@mpc.edu

Yuri’s career has included programmatic and organizational leadership roles in human service organizations in Monterey County, New York City, and San Francisco. She currently serves as Chief of Staff to Monterey County Fourth District Supervisor Wendy Root Askew. Before beginning her service with the County, Yuri held the position of Vice President, Community Investments for United Way Monterey County. She is also a founding member of the Bright Futures for Monterey County Educational Partnership.  

Yuri served as Chair of the MPCCD Board of Trustees in 2020; during which time she also co-chaired the Superintendent/President Search Committee. In 2019, Yuri served as Chair of the Board’s Policy Subcommittee, Chair of the Board Evaluation and Goals Ad Hoc Committee, and Alternate Representative to the Community Human Services Board of Directors. Outside of MPC, Yuri serves as a member of the Board of Director for the Democratic Women of Monterey County and Monterey County’s Child Abuse Prevention Council.

Yuri’s family has lived in Monterey County for nearly 60 years. Yuri graduated from North Monterey County High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Southern California and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from New York University.  

Yuri is a wife and proud mother of two school-aged children.

District Area: Area 3 (Monterey, Del Rey Oaks)

Current Term Ends: December 2028
Email: ldowney@mpc.edu

Libby was born in High Point, North Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and continued her nursing education by completing requirements for a PHN and RN. Libby is currently enrolled in the Monterey College of Law. As an avid life-long learner, she has taken numerous classes at MPC across a variety of disciplines.

She has lived in Monterey for over 50 years with her husband, Wayne, a retired administrative educator from Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.

Professionally, Libby has been a Director of the Lyceum for Monterey County, was a Public Health Nurse for the County of Monterey, sold real estate, was a Superior Court Appointee as “Conservator of the Person” for elderly for eight years, and served on the Monterey City Council for 12 years.  

Community involvement has always been and will continue to be a priority with Libby, serving for over 17 years in elected public official positions. In addition to serving as a trustee for Monterey Peninsula Community College District, she currently also serves as the Chair of the Natividad Hospital Board. Additionally, Libby has served on approximately 30 other boards during her life on the Peninsula.  Past service includes: Monterey Peninsula College Foundation, Monterey Regional Waste Management District,  Monterey One Water, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Monterey-Salinas Transit,  Carmel Presbyterian Board of Trustees, National Marine Sanctuary, Monterey County Grand Jury twice, Hospice Foundation of the Central Coast, and Monterey City Parks and Recreation Commissioner for over 20 years, to name a few.

Libby and Wayne have three children and seven grandchildren of who they are most proud. Libby’s lifelong passion for education and community is reflected in her enduring connection to MPC.

District Area: Area 1

Current Term Ends: December 2026
Email: rgreen@mpc.edu

Seaside native Rosalyn Green was born at Fort Ord Hospital, attended schools in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD), and is a proud graduate of Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) and California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB), where she earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies on the Teaching Pathway track.

Inspired by her family dynamics, Rosalyn became a care provider, serving as a counselor for marginalized youth in Monterey County and working with organizations such as the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, The Village Project Inc., and Building Healthy Communities. She gained experience in governance and land use through her time at the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA).

Rosalyn is a Silver Life Member of the NAACP and actively engages in community meetings, including MPUSD School Board and Seaside City Council meetings. Passionate about education, she promotes higher learning on local campuses. Deeply rooted in her faith, she believes, “All things are possible and nothing is impossible.”

Rosalyn is the proud mother of four children and two grandchildren, with strong ties to MPC, where two of her children have attended. She is guided by the belief that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Current Term Ends: May 2026
Email: Ja'Leezia Love

Ja’Leezia Love is a dedicated Communications student at Monterey Peninsula College with a passion for public service, community engagement, and the power of human connection. Known for her thoughtful communication style and commitment to positive change, Ja’Leezia brings a spirit of optimism and authenticity to every space she enters.

Guided by the belief that “if you want to change the world, you have to care for it,” she centers compassion, equity, and purpose in all her endeavors. Ja’Leezia aspires to transfer to a top-tier four-year university, where she will continue building the foundation for a career in public leadership—with the long-term goal of serving as a U.S. Senator or Governor.

She enjoys exploring the world through travel, spending time in nature, reading at the library, and discovering new vegan cuisine. Above all, Ja’Leezia is committed to personal growth and building a more just and loving society, one conversation, one idea, and one act of care at a time.