“From SF Kid To Board President: Aliya Chisti’s Journey Serving City College”

Chisti, the first Muslim woman elected to office in San Francisco’s history, is also a lifelong Inglesider.

By The Ingleside Light

City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees President Aliya Chisti has the same passion for the college as she did when she campaigned for its governing board.

Chisti, who grew up and lives in the neighborhood, got her start in city politics in 2018 when she served as then-Supervisor Malia Cohen’s legislative aide. The skills she gained, plus her passion and experience in education, like participating in the Aim High program and obtaining a master’s in education policy from Columbia University, led her to campaign for the Board of Trustees in 2020. When she was sworn into office in 2021, she became the first Muslim woman to hold an elected position in San Francisco history. She won re-election in 2024 and was elevated to board president this year.

“As hard as the board work is, I love it,” Chisti said. “I love knowing that I’m a part of something bigger than me.”

Five years after her first election, Chisti is still campaigning hard for the college, and though being a trustee isn’t her full-time job, as she works in policy and external affairs for the San Francisco Department of Human Resources, ensuring the success of the college is among her top priorities.

Chisti’s areas of focus remain on the free-tuition program Free City, fine-tuning board governance, growing enrollment, the college’s parcel tax that is set to expire in 2032, generating new funding and revenue and the future of facilities like the downtown campus.

Chisti said the college is in a stable place, at least for now, thanks to its recently appointed chancellor and fears of an accreditation crisis behind them.

“The next few years are absolutely critical for the college financially,” Chisti said. “I feel very confident with the board that we have right now that everyone is committed to making sure that the college is set up for success.”

The Ingleside Light caught up with Chisti to hear more about her time at City College. Continue Reading…

Source: From SF Kid To Board President: Aliya Chisti’s Journey Serving City College