Meet Austin Edsell

Austin Edsell knows firsthand the difference the Coast Community College District can make in a student's life because it made a difference in his. A proud Coast alumnus, Austin got his start here and is running for Coast Community College District Trustee, Area 1, to make sure the next generation of students has the same opportunity to succeed.

Austin has called this community home for more than 20 years. Today, he is an educator helping prepare students for their futures, a Huntington Beach Finance Commissioner focused on fiscal accountability and transparency, and District Director for Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen. In that role, Austin works with residents, community organizations, businesses, and local, state, and federal agencies to solve problems and deliver results for the communities he serves.

Austin has also worked to connect people directly with opportunity. He has partnered to organize Career Fairs that bring job seekers together with employers and Children's Resource Fairs that connect families with valuable services and resources. His commitment to public service also includes previously serving as Chair of the Huntington Beach Community and Library Services Commission and currently serving on the city's Finance Commission.

These experiences have given Austin a clear understanding of what Coast must deliver for its students and taxpayers: an affordable, high-quality education; strong pathways to four-year universities; career and technical programs that lead to good-paying jobs; safe and well-prepared campuses; and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Austin believes there is no single definition of student success. For some students, Coast is the first step toward a four-year university. For others, it is the pathway to a skilled trade, professional certification, a new career, or a second chance. Every student deserves a clear path from the classroom to the future they want to build.

As Trustee, Austin will bring an educator's commitment to students, a Finance Commissioner's focus on accountability, and the experience of someone who works every day to get things done in the community.