Voters to Select Trustees for STLCC Board

February 17, 2026

Posted by STLCC in News Resources 

Three candidates will vie for the Subdistrict 1 and the Subdistrict 4 seats on the St. Louis Community College Board of Trustees. Residents in these subdistricts will make their selection in the April 7 election.

For Subdistrict 1, incumbent Kevin Martin will be challenged by Theodis Brown Sr. and Clem Smith.

For Subdistrict 4, there are three candidates for the Board of Trustees: Patrick McKelvey, Fielding Poe, and Deborah Bush-Munson. Mary Luebke, the current Trustee representing Subdistrict 4, is not seeking reelection.

The winners will serve a six-year term.

About the Candidates

Subdistrict 1

Kevin Martin, EdD, was elected to the STLCC Board of Trustees in 2017. Martin serves as a middle school principal in the Parkway School District. He previously served as the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Hazelwood Northwest Middle School. Martin taught mathematics and served as an instructional and data coach for three years at Hazelwood East High School. He also taught mathematics and served as department chair at Sumner High School for three years while serving as a Corp Member through Teach for America - St. Louis.

Martin hopes to continue to be innovative and find new approaches to engage more members of the community with St. Louis Community College. He believes in solid decision-making that is centered on the needs of all stakeholders and the community and will continue to make STLCC a pivotal member of the larger community. As a first-generation college student, Martin strongly believes in providing opportunities and support for all to be successful.

He has been recognized by St. Louis Magazine as High School Teacher of the Year and has received honors such as St. Louis American Salute to Excellence in Education Award, North County Incorporated’s 30 Leaders in their 30s, Saint Louis Public Schools’ Pettus Award of Excellence, and MCCA’s Trustee Leadership Award.

A proud resident of North St. Louis County, Martin earned a doctorate in education policy and leadership from University of Missouri-St. Louis. Most recently, he completed a graduate certificate in human resource management from Colorado State University. He has an educational specialist, superintendent certificate and master’s degree in education from University of Missouri-St. Louis, and a bachelor’s degree in business teacher education from Illinois State University.

Clem Smith is a stationary engineer for The Phillips 66 Company, and former State Representative of St. Louis County’s 85th district (2011-2019).

Smith has over 13 years’ experience in community advocacy, legislating, government oversight, and policy research. He served eight years in the Missouri legislature, and five years as senior policy advisor for state Senator Karla May.

One of Smith's notable achievements was the successful passage of the College Credit Disclosure Act in 2018. The act provides transparency and support for college students by requiring institutions to disclose information about the transferability of college credits.

Smith is a graduate of St. Louis Community College’s Boeing Pre-Employment Training program which led to seven years of employment at The Boeing Company. He formerly served on the executive boards of National Black Caucus of State Legislators, National Labor Caucus of State Legislators, and the Advisory Board of Missouri Vocational Enterprise Program.

In 2023, Smith helped start the Uplift Foundation of Greater St. Louis to assist in the areas of youth mentoring, financial empowerment, and eliminating educational inequity. He is a member of the St. Louis Community College Alumni Association, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the International Union of Operating Engineers.

Smith is a recipient of the MLK Jr. Political Service Award from the Urban League of Metropolitans St. Louis and Saint Louis University, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis Legislative Award for Youth Development, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society Advocacy Award.

A graduate of Clayton High School, Smith earned his bachelor's degree from Columbia (Mo.) College, and Certificate of Specialization in Skilled Trades Industrial Training from St. Louis Community College.

Subdistrict 4

Patrick McKelvey is the executive director of the Gateway Food Pantry in Arnold, Mo. He also has experience in higher education as an adjunct instructor with Jefferson College, University of Memphis, and Maryville University. McKelvey is also a former assistant professor of sport management with Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill.

McKelvey currently serves as an advisory board member for the University of Missouri Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, and board member for the Mehlville School District. He also serves as a governing council member for the Special School District of St. Louis County and a board member for the St. Louis County Public Transportation Commission.

McKelvey holds has earned graduate degrees including a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology, Learning Technology and Design, and Public Affairs. He also has master’s degrees in Sport and Hospitality Management and Communication from the University of Memphis. He also holds a master’s degree in Sociology from Arizona State University.

Fielding Poe is an attorney who has lived in Ballwin with his wife for the last 40 years. He has two adult sons and five grandchildren.

Poe has a bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He holds a Missouri lifetime teaching certificate and has taught middle and high school in the Lincoln County R-4 and Fox C-6 school districts. Poe was employed with Union Electric Company, later AmerenUE, as a certified welder after completing an apprenticeship as a welder and pipefitter in the power plants. He attended Saint Louis University School of Law, where he earned his law degree. Poe has been a member of the Missouri Bar Association for the last 31 years and has taught several continuing legal education classes.

He is an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church-Kirkwood. Poe is interested in supporting educational opportunities for personal growth and economic opportunities for prospective students in the metropolitan area.

All information was provided by the candidates. Theodis Brown Sr., candidate for Subdistrict 1 and Deborah Bush-Munson, candidate for Subdistrict 4, did not provide any biographical information.