Blue waves behind the words Coast Colleges in dark blue

Weekly News Brief | February 16, 2023
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor Yamamura in front of the District Office

This week, Vice Chancellor Marlene Drinkwine, Vice Chancellor Andreea Serban, Executive Director Daniela Thompson, and I participated in budget townhalls at Coastline College and Orange Coast College. We will visit with Golden West College next Wednesday and plan to hold a session at the District Office soon.

My thanks to the presidents and vice presidents of administration for connecting the discussion to each college. My appreciation as well to everyone who joined to listen, provide comments, or ask questions. It was good to have strong attendance among our faculty, classified and confidential professionals, and managers. If you were not able to attend, the presentation slides and detailed reference slides are available here.

In my opening remarks, I made the case that we should be on the same page regarding the facts of our budget. That means you should have access to the same figures I do, see the modeling for future years, and understand the assumptions that go into the models. This is not about deciding what comes next. Our purpose at this point is to establish a common foundation for the difficult work ahead.

Transparency, in one sense, means data sharing. Transparency, in another sense, means the sharing of perspectives. That latter form of transparency flows from open and honest dialogue. I am thankful to all who are committing to the shared work of being transparent.

With gratitude,

 Whitney

Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor

 

Note: District Offices and Colleges are closed tomorrow, February 17, for the President Lincoln holiday and Monday, February 20, for the President Washington Holiday.

Postscript

I note with sadness the tragedy of the Michigan State University shootings. May we join in care and compassion for those injured and all those mourning the three victims who lost their lives in this latest incident of senseless violence.

 

Report from the Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees photos

On Wednesday, February 15, the Board of Trustees met and heard a presentation by DSPS Counselor Denise Gonzalez Bon on the Golden West College Autism Program. The nationally renowned program provides a mix of peer, faculty, and staff support mechanisms to assist students with autism in navigating the transition to college, journey through college, and transfer or career entry. Counselor Gonzalez Bon further noted high course success rates and high GPAs of students with autism, while continuing to work with students on timely completion. Trustees lauded the program's goals and success.

Trustees received an annual report on institutional effectiveness, covering the 2021-2022 year, from Vice Chancellor Andreea Serban, Coastline College Dean Aeron Zentner, Golden West College Dean Kay Nguyen, and Orange Coast College Senior Researcher Alex Buus. Highlights included Coastline's high field of study employment and median earnings of Career Technical Education completers, Golden West's growth in Associate Degree for Transfer completion and rising course success rates, and Orange Coast's rising course success rates and retention of the top spot for CSU/UC transfers in Orange County. Dr. Serban addressed districtwide accomplishments and continuing areas of focus. Trustees noted the significance of progress during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trustees adopted a resolution on preserving the lifelong learning and self-development general education transfer pattern (Area E) as attached. Trustees encouraged that faculty, classified professionals, and students join with other district advocates in bringing the threat to Area E to the attention of state policymakers.

The Board adjourned in memory of Coastline College student Robert Evans and the victims of the Michigan State University shooting.

 

Black History Month 2023
Black History Month header

The Coast Community College District is celebrating Black History Month during the month of February. Coastline College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College are hosting events throughout the month of February. Staff, students, and faculty are encouraged to participate in activities and share your experiences with our District, Colleges, and community.

 

College News
Program of Special Note:
Disrupting Racism through the Lens of The Arts

In support of diversity, equity and inclusion, Coastline College is hosting a series of collaborative events for faculty, staff and students running through June 15, 2023, the Friday before Juneteenth. All are invited to attend the remaining sessions.

 

GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE

The Golden West College Umoja team and Black Student Union will be hosting a wellness event on February 28 in the main quad from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm. There will be yoga sessions, massages, and other forms of stress relief along with free snacks!

 

A circle with the words Golden West College, Huntington Beach, on the outside with a central surfboard and the letters GWC.
GWC Black History Month event

 

 

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE

The Orange Coast College music department is reviving its Opera Magnifica series after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. This year's performance, titled "Once Upon an Island," will take place on the weekend of February 24 – 26. All performances will take place in OCC's Music Recital Hall. Once Upon an Island will include a collection of scenes by Gilbert and Sullivan, Handel, Romberg, Sonheim, and Dvorak. Both music major students and non-music major students will perform, as well as some members of the community. All proceeds from the weekend will go back toward supporting OCC's music program.

 

An Orange circle forming an O with two interior waves in dark blue forming two C shapes.
OCC Opera Magnifica series banner

 

 

Schedule


Chancellor, Week of February 20
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Tuesday through Friday
District Offices and Colleges are closed Monday for the President Washington holiday

 


publicaffairs@cccd.edu

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