Michigan › Ionia County › Lansing Community College Board of Trustees (6-year term, vote for 2)
Biography
Hope Lovell has been executive director of LoveJoy Community Services, a nonprofit supporting people with special needs, for more than 15 years, per Lansing Community College's trustee page. She holds a finance degree from Michigan State University and a public health master's from the University of Michigan, and has chaired the Ingham Community Health Centers board, per the same page and her campaign site.
Top Priorities
- Access to education and financial assistance, including the Michigan Community College Guarantee and Michigan Reconnect
- Mentorship to graduation, including an academic alert system and a transfer center
- Pathways to skilled trades and certifications, including utility and line worker and health care training
Per the campaign site.
Biography
Dominica Palacio has more than 30 years of human resources and business experience, including at Ionetix and Dart Container, per her campaign site. A Lansing native, Everett High School and Michigan State University alumna, she works as vice president of administration at Ionetix and says this is her first run for public office, per Cafecito Caliente.
Top Priorities
- Industry-aligned training that keeps the curriculum current with the local job market
- Career development and mentorship so graduates lead with confidence
- Affordable tuition and fiscal responsibility
Per the campaign site.
Biography
LaShunda Thomas owns Empowerment Therapy Services LLC, where she offers counseling, and holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University and a master's in social work from Spring Arbor University, per Lansing Community College's trustee page. A Lansing native, she has served on the LCC Board of Trustees since her 2020 election and as board secretary since January 2023, per the same page. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for LaShunda Thomas.
iAbout this race
Three names for two seats on the county clerk's list; the college district includes part of Ionia County. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
iWhat this office does
Community college trustee. Community college trustees govern a public two-year college, not a K-12 school district. The board adopts the college budget, sets tuition and any property tax levy the college has, approves programs and building projects, and hires the college president.
This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Hope M. Lovell, LaShunda Thomas.
Also on your ballot
Michigan Senate District 18, Michigan Senate District 33, Michigan House District 78
All 62
Questions about this race
Who is running for Lansing Community College Board of Trustees (6-year term, vote for 2) in 2026?
3 candidates are tracked for Lansing Community College Board of Trustees (6-year term, vote for 2) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Hope M. Lovell, Dominica Palacio and LaShunda Thomas. Candidate information follows official Ionia County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Lansing Community College Board of Trustees (6-year term, vote for 2) election in Michigan?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Michigan are on the Michigan election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Ionia County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
iSources
The rest of your Ionia County ballot
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