Weekly News Brief | May 20, 2022
From the Office of Chancellor John Weispfenning, Ph.D.

Yesterday, I delivered my sixth and final State of the District as Chancellor. As we look towards a future where COVID-19 is no longer an ever-present threat, it made sense to change focus from the pandemic and talk about something else. Hope.

Hope is not based in current circumstances. And I acknowledge that the outside world is still full of uncertainty and sadness. The U.S. COVID-19 death toll has passed 1 million. We are seeing a local spike in COVID-19 cases, though nowhere near January highs. The fires in Laguna Hills remind us of the high cost of climate inaction. The shootings in Buffalo and Laguna Woods – alongside Russia's invasion of Ukraine – show the high cost of hateful ideologies, violent rhetoric, and authoritarianism.

Hope is most needed when it is least expected. Even if we cannot change everything wrong in our world, we can make a meaningful difference for those in our communities and for ourselves. And as the urgency of the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, we can plan for a future with a greater degree of certainty about what that future will be. We can reconnect to our work and priorities of the past and return our focus to the nuanced mission of education and service.

Our future is being built on the legacy you have created in your time with the Coast District, whether you arrived decades ago or within the last few weeks. Today, I am hopeful because I see many brighter tomorrows ahead for the Coast District, thanks to you.

Be well,

 John

John Weispfenning, Ph.D.
Chancellor

Report from the Board of Trustees

On Wednesday, May 18, the Board of Trustees met in regular session and initiated the process to fill the vacancy that will follow Trustee David A. Grant's retirement from the Board on July 8, 2022. The Coast District is soliciting applications to serve as an appointed member of the Board of Trustees, beginning on July 20, 2022, until the term expires on December 9, 2022. Applicants must live within the boundaries as shown for Area 5 on the District map, which includes Newport Beach and parts of Costa Mesa. Applications must be returned by 12:00 pm on June 3, 2022, to the Coast District Board Office.

Trustees also heard a report from Vice Chancellor Andreea Serban on Guided Pathways. In addition to work occurring at all three colleges, Dr. Serban highlighted a districtwide two-year regional grant-funded program intended to move adult education students from non-credit to credit-based programs leading to certificates, degrees, and transfer. This is just one example of numerous Coast District programs leveraging federal, state, and regional grant funding to connect students to educational and career opportunities.

Trustees further acknowledged and celebrated the service of Student Trustee Roy Sahachaisere. A ceremonial resolution, included below, was approved by the Board. The resolution and a commemorative plaque were presented to Student Trustee Sahachaisere during the State of the District on Thursday, May 19. He is lauded for stepping into the trustee role mid-term, completing that term, being elected for a second term, and providing leadership for the students throughout the pandemic, while representing the student voice as a member of the Board.

The Board adjourned in memory of Rita Deaso, mother of Andrew Deaso (classified staff member and President of CFCE), and Dr. John Cheng, the OC physician who gave his life to protect others in the tragic Laguna Woods church shooting this week.

Board of Trustees Ceremonial Resolution Acknowledging Roy Sahachaisere

WHEREAS, in March 2021 Roy Sahachaisere was appointed as the Board's Student Trustee to complete the 2020-2021 term, and was re-appointed to serve the 2021-2022 term; and

WHEREAS, Roy Sahachaisere has provided dedicated leadership and guidance as Chair of the District Student Council, and has ensured communication flowed both ways between student leadership and board/executive leadership; and

WHEREAS, Roy Sahachaisere has taken a leading role for the Board and Student Council in focusing on student mental health issues, and has worked with legislative consultants to give students a better understanding of processes to advance student mental health and other priorities; and

WHEREAS, Roy Sahachaisere has made it a priority to attend events at all three colleges, has served on groups evaluating plans for repopulating campuses, and participated in discussions on Competency Based Education; and

WHEREAS, Roy Sahachaisere has served as Director on the Board of the Coast Community College Enterprise Corporation, participated on three executive search committees, and recently oversaw the selection of the search process for the 2022-2023 Student Trustee; and

WHEREAS, Roy Sahachaisere was awarded Coastline College's Associated Student Government scholarship for his leadership and advocacy, and was nominated for the Board of Governors' Student Leadership Award.

NOW, THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED, on this day, the eighteenth day of May, in the year two thousand and twenty two, the Board of Trustees of the Coast Community College District hereby acknowledges Roy Sahachaisere for his great works as Student Trustee, and for his service and dedication to the students of the Coast Community College District.

College News

Schedule

Chancellor's Schedule, Week of May 23
Dr. Weispfenning is in the District, Monday through Friday