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Senate committee recommends Mara Carabello for Salt Lake Community College board
Summary
A Utah State Senate committee unanimously recommended Mara Carabello to the full Senate for appointment to the Salt Lake Community College board of trustees after questioning focused on workforce alignment, access and her public policy experience.
A Utah State Senate committee recommended Mara Carabello to the full Senate on a voice vote after hearing from the governor's nominee about her public policy background and priorities for Salt Lake Community College.
Carabello said she has led the Exoro Group, a public policy firm, for the past 23 years and has represented nonprofits, government and corporate clients on issues including infrastructure, transportation, water and planning. "I have most recently, meaning last 23 years, I have a public policy shop called the Exoro Group," Carabello said, describing her experience in bipartisan, issue-focused work.
The committee chair asked Carabello to describe what she would contribute as a trustee over an eight-year term. Carabello said she would focus on assessing institutional growth needs, improving performance metrics and maintaining an open-admissions mission. "Where can we keep making an impact?" she asked, adding that trustees should read and prepare for meetings and prioritize outcomes over bureaucracy.
Carabello told the committee she sees a particular opportunity for Salt Lake Community College to expand and strengthen technical programs that connect students directly to workforce needs. She cited a Kempsey Gardner report and said, "70% of our workforce by 2030 will need to have some required some level of post secondary education," arguing the college should help meet that demand through technical training and clear pathways.
A committee member who identified herself as Cinders praised Carabello's statewide community assessment work and asked how those skills would improve student experience. Carabello pointed to outreach in rural areas, multiple campus locations, and regular assessments to ensure programs meet student and employer needs. She also cited earlier public service roles, including work with the Utah Centennial Commission and the Utah Museum board, as relevant experience.
Senator Reidy moved that the committee give Carabello a favorable recommendation to the full Senate; the motion was approved by voice vote. The committee did not record roll-call tallies in the transcript. The chair thanked Carabello for her willingness to serve.
The meeting also approved the minutes at the start of the session and adjourned following the nomination vote.
