Chancellor's News Brief

Blue waves behind the words Coast Colleges in dark blue

Weekly News Brief | May 5, 2023
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.

Chancellor Yamamura in front of the District Office

This Wednesday's Board meeting, I provided a report on districtwide safety improvements. Please see that report in full below.

Let me begin by acknowledging and thanking classified professionals and classified managers for the extraordinary effort to make our colleges even safer places to learn, teach, and work.

I recently sent a message to the Golden West community expressing my gratitude for the many safety improvements completed in a relatively short time. The work ongoing at Orange Coast and Coastline should also be celebrated.

Districtwide, the Colleges have enhanced monitoring systems, communication plans, and training. This work is additive to improvements in lighting, monitoring, access control, and increased coordination with local law enforcement implemented over the past few years.

The Clery expert recently authorized by the Board has begun to meet with College and District safety teams. To affirm that our commitment has been ongoing, this contract was in the works prior to the latest public safety incidents as part of a periodic checkup on our practices. We look forward to learning where we can improve and having an outside opinion on recent changes to our notification practices.

Vice Chancellor Drinkwine's team is also hard at work on an accelerated process to bring on a threat assessment expert. The team is moving quickly, while still working to ensure that we have input from faculty and classified professionals throughout the selection process. If all proceeds according to plan, we'll have a recommendation for Board consideration at the June meeting.

My hope, with our outside experts, is that we bring forward suggested actions that will lead to the greatest improvements in safety. This is safety in the broadest sense, which includes the ability to respond in an earthquake or fire, among other worst-case scenarios.

Thank you for your engagement and support as we continue efforts to provide an even safer environment to advance the mission of our Colleges and District.

With gratitude,

Whitney

Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor

Report from the Board of Trustees

On Wednesday, May 4, the Board of Trustees met and accepted the retirements of the following employees:

William Barber, Culinary Arts Instructor, OCC
Richard Hacker, Senior Custodian, GWC
Claudius Harris, Custodial Supervisor, GWC
Rose Anne Kings, Architectural Technology Instructor, OCC
Lisa Farah Sogo, Faculty, OCC

Barber with the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Yamamura, and President Suarez

The Board, Chancellor Yamamura, and President Suarez recognize attending retiree William Barber, expressing their appreciation for his 33.5 years of service to the district.

Trustees voted to affirm a resolution proclaiming May 21-27, 2023, as Classified Employees Appreciation week. They conveyed a deep appreciation for the classified professionals that work diligently throughout the year to provide foundational support and strength to the work of the campuses and the district office.

Classified professionals with the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Yamamura, and Presidents

The Board, Chancellor Yamamura, and the Presidents recognize attending confidential and classified professionals.

The Board received a progress report on the Chancellor's Goals for the District for 2022-2023. Trustees acknowledged the effort and dedication applied throughout the district toward meeting the goals, specifically lauding the distinguished work in the areas of veteran support, technology, food insecurity support, and learning aligned employment programs, while emphasizing the importance of continued focus on the goal of maintaining fiscal stability.

President Vince Rodriguez, Coastline College, thanked outgoing Academic Senate President Dr. Lisa Lee for her outstanding service. He reported that Coastline hosted an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony as part of their Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage celebrations. In May, the campus will host a Spring Barbeque and Awards Ceremony for campus employees. For Fall Flex Day, Coastline has scheduled Dr. Gina Ann Garcia, a leading scholar on Hispanic Serving Institutions, as the keynote speaker.

Interim President Meridith Randall, Golden West College, discussed several safety improvements implemented on campus, including a finalized crisis communications plan and the formation of a safety committee. Golden West College recently offered first aid, CPR and AED trainings for campus constituents. Additionally, they will be hosting a Lavender Graduation to celebrate LGBTQ+ students and a special graduation event for veterans and military personnel. A barbeque and pickleball tournament are scheduled for Classified Appreciation Week.

President Angelica Suarez, Orange Coast College, provided commentary on several campus events, including an Orange Coast College Counseling Latinos for Engagement and Equity (CLEEO) event hosting Father Gregory Boyle, the founder and director of Homeboy Industries; the Dennis Kelly Aquarium 50th anniversary celebration; and the Outstanding Coast Colleagues of the Year awards ceremony. Kelli Elliott, full time Faculty Member of the Year, has also been named Teacher of the Year by the Orange County Department of Education. Dr. Suarez honored the collaboration between the Academic Senate, Classified Senate, and Public Safety department for presenting an Emergency Preparedness Training for the campus.

The Board adjourned the meeting in memory of Ron Ledesma, computer science engineer, Air Force veteran, and schoolmate of Trustee Moreno; Sue Brown, the first female faculty member in Orange Coast College Athletics and trailblazer in the struggle for Title IX protections; and Norma Hinkson, a long time Coastline college student, who began attending special education courses in 2008.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Coast District is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month during the month of May. Staff, students, and faculty are encouraged to participate to share their experiences with our District, Colleges, and community. The questionnaire will be posted on District social media and may be used in other publications. Those who would like to participate can fill out the questionnaire by going to https://forms.office.com/r/xmcvQVLk7s.

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.
COASTLINE COLLEGE
On May 1, Coastline College's International Program and the APIA Affinity Group hosted an in-person Japanese Tea Ceremony at the Student Services Center in Fountain Valley. Sochi Nomoto led the event, teaching attendees how to serve a bowl of Japanese tea properly while learning about traditional methods of whisking powdered matcha in hot water and the various steps and movements which are part of Chanoyu. Chanoyu is the traditional etiquette of preparing and serving Japanese green tea along with Japanese sweets. Preparing tea in this ceremony involves the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE
Golden West College's Theater Arts Department produces some of the best theater in Orange County. Their latest production, A Midsummer Night's Dream, is no expection. The show runs through Sunday, May 7, so make sure to go check out this beautiful set in person!

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE
Congratulations, Professor Kelli Elliot! Orange Coast College Professor of Biology Kelli Elliott has been named a 2024 Teacher of the Year by the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE). Elliott was one of six instructors selected for this honor from 62 nominees. The award is given to fully credentialed teachers and professors in K-12 and community colleges with at least eight years of teaching experience. Nominees must also be assigned to teach students in the 2023-24 academic year. OCDE Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes gave Elliott the award in a surprise presentation during her class at OCC. She now has the opportunity to be selected as the California State Teacher of the Year. Elliott began at OCC in 2004 and is currently the area's Biology department chair and scheduler. In addition to teaching Biology classes for Biology majors and as an elective, she Leads ecology field trips to the Mojave Desert, providing students with hands-on experimental data collection experience and direct observational experience of desert species. She holds a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University and a master's from California State University Fullerton.