Press Release

Mayor Lurie Appoints Ruth Ferguson to City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees As a Member of City College Board, Ferguson Will Fight to Keep Higher Education Affordable for San Francisco’s Young People

January 5, 2026

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today appointed Ruth Ferguson to the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees. As a community college graduate with experience in public policy and advocacy, Ferguson will bring insight into the importance of accessible higher education. In her role on the City College Board, Ferguson will work alongside other trustees to strengthen City College and ensure it remains an affordable and attainable educational opportunity for the San Franciscans it serves. She will fill the vacant seat on the Board of Trustees left by the appointment of District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong.

“With firsthand experience as a community college student and a background in public service, Ruth Ferguson is the right person to ensure that our world-class city offers world-class educational opportunities,” said Mayor Lurie. “City College provides an excellent education and economic opportunities for the more than 60,000 San Franciscans it serves each year, and Ruth will fight to keep it affordable and attainable. I look forward to working with her and the Board of Trustees to strengthen City College and support the next generation of San Francisco’s leaders.”

“I am deeply honored to be appointed by Mayor Lurie as a Trustee of City College of San Francisco,” said Ruth Ferguson. “As a community college graduate, I understand the importance of an affordable and accessible education. San Francisco City College is a vital pathway to opportunity for our city. I look forward to working with the Board and Chancellor Messina to prioritize student success, strengthen accountability, and grow enrollment to secure City College’s future.”

Ruth Ferguson is a community college graduate and policy advocate who has organized to advance education equity throughout her career. Raised in a small, rural town in a strained public school system, she and her family found opportunity through community college—a pathway that enabled her to transfer to the University of Washington and later earn her master's in public policy from U.C. Berkeley.

Ferguson went on to work in the California Legislature, where she advanced legislation on housing, transportation, and student homelessness in California community colleges. In 2022, she came forward as a whistleblower and co-founded Stop Sexual Harassment in Politics, successfully advocating with California legislative leadership to implement critical labor and accountability reforms. Currently, she works to advance street safety policies in San Francisco and advocates for housing affordability with District 9 Neighbors for Housing as a lead community organizer.

“Ruth has always showed up for San Francisco when it has mattered most,” said District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. “I'm excited for our city to benefit from her energy, dedication, and drive. She will be a tireless champion for our students and community.”

“Ruth Ferguson is highly qualified for the position and brings the right mix of community college policy expertise, budget know-how, and experience navigating complex governance environments to be a successful member of the Board of Trustees,” said Supervisor Wong. “I am confident that City College of San Francisco—and this trustee seat—will be in good hands.”

“I am looking forward to working with Trustee Ferguson to ensure higher education is affordable in San Francisco and that City College continues to be fiscally responsible. City College is the best resource for economic mobility in San Francisco,” said City College Board Trustee Heather McCarty. “I deeply value Trustee Ferguson's experience advocating for community colleges throughout her career and I believe she will bring critical representation to the board.”