Nancy Pearlman, a former Los Angeles Community College District trustee, is running for LACCD Board Seat 4 in the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election. The nonpartisan race has seven certified candidates.
The LACCD Board of Trustees sets policy, approves budgets and oversees operations for the district's nine colleges, including West Los Angeles College, which serves Beverly Hills and Westside residents. Pearlman previously served on the board representing Seat 6 from 2001 to 2017, according to Ballotpedia. She is now seeking a different seat. The other candidates are Adam Bruno, Darryn Harris, Elaine Alaniz, Isidro J. Armenta, Jason R. Aula and Priscilla Umana.
Candidate information
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Birthplace: Huntington, West Virginia
- Current role: Executive director, Educational Communications
Experience and public service
Pearlman served as a member of the LACCD Board of Trustees for Seat 6 from 2001 to 2017. She has also taught anthropology and communications at five LACCD campuses: Harbor College, West Los Angeles College, East Los Angeles College, City College and Pierce College, according to her campaign website.
Outside the classroom, Pearlman has worked in environmental media for decades, according to her campaign website. She has served as executive producer and host of ECONEWS, an environmental television series she says she started in 1984, and as host and producer of Environmental Directions, a radio series she says began in 1977.
Pearlman says she coordinated the first Earth Day in Southern California in 1970. On her campaign website, she says she founded the Ecology Center of Southern California and Compendium Newsletter in 1972, Project Ecotourism in 1993, Humanity and the Planet in 2001, Earth Cultures in 2004 and Nancy Pearlman the Eco-Traveler in 2007.
On the issues
Community college sustainability: Pearlman says she led efforts during her 2001–2017 tenure as trustee to make all nine LACCD colleges sustainable in both buildings and operations. She says she helped start green building and sustainability programs and wants to continue that work.
Part-time faculty equity: Pearlman says she fought for equal pay and representation of part-time faculty during her time on the LACCD Board. She lists ensuring part-time instructors receive equal pay and opportunities as full-time faculty as a priority.
Vocational and career education: Pearlman says she supports ensuring vocational courses are available alongside academic classes. She has pointed to programs such as solar installation and electric car mechanics as examples.
Fiscal transparency: Pearlman says she wants transparency in fiscal decisions at the district.
Policy positions and biographical details are drawn from the candidate's own responses on her campaign website and Ballotpedia questionnaire unless otherwise noted. The Platinum Tribune presents this profile to help voters evaluate candidates and does not endorse in this race.
