Blue waves behind the words Coast Colleges in dark blue

Weekly News Brief | August 4, 2023
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor Yamamura in front of the District Office

As we approach the beginning of the Fall 2023 semester and continue our collective journey towards excellence in education, I am grateful to be able to share with you the incredible efforts undertaken to enhance community engagement and raise the profile of the District and colleges in our surrounding communities.

I firmly believe that collaboration and active involvement with local business associations, legislators, and non-profit organizations are essential for fostering strong community ties and maximizing our positive impact. Over the last three months, we have been diligently working to establish and strengthen partnerships that align with our mission of providing accessible and high-quality education to our diverse student body.

  • Local Business Associations: We have been actively engaging with various local business associations to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships and open up opportunities for our students. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, we are fostering a skilled and job-ready workforce that directly contributes to the growth of our local economy.
  • Legislators: Building strong connections with legislators is vital for advocating for the District's needs and securing funding for initiatives that support student success. We have been consistently communicating with local, state, and federal representatives to discuss the challenges faced by our district and the measures required to address them effectively. These efforts have resulted in increased support for our colleges and further elevating the reputation of the Coast District within the legislative community.
  • Non-Profit Organizations: We recognize the immense impact of non-profit organizations in shaping our community's welfare. The District has collaborated with non-profits that share our vision of empowering individuals through education. By joining forces, we hope to launch initiatives that focus on skills development, access to education, and socio-economic upliftment. These partnerships reflect our commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of our students and the broader community.

We hope these endeavors will reinforce our strong reputation within the community, but also, lead to increased visibility and support for our colleges and the Coast District as a whole. By actively engaging with local stakeholders, we are showcasing the transformative power of education and reinforcing our position as a trusted institution that contributes to the well-being and prosperity of our region.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your unwavering dedication and passion for education. As we look to the future, let us continue to foster these relationships, seek new opportunities, and innovate ways to raise the profile of the Coast District and colleges even further.

With gratitude,

 Whitney

Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor

 

Report from the Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees photos

On Wednesday, August 2, the Board of Trustees met to approve and ratify many items of business necessary to the operation and success of our colleges. In addition to regular business, the Board received a comprehensive report on the successful implementation of AB705 and AB1705 legislation within the Coast Colleges. AB705, which was enacted to improve student success rates, required the colleges to maximize the probability that students will complete transfer-level coursework in English and math within one year. AB1705 aimed to enhance support services for underrepresented students, including foster youth and formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them access and succeed in higher education. The report showcased the positive impact these legislative efforts have had on student outcomes including significant increases in the number of students enrolling in transfer level math and English, increases in the number of those that complete an associate degree, and a slightly positive impact on the number of units students enrolled in to reach their transfer goals.

The Board also expressed great anticipation and appreciation for the Museum of Teaching and Learning's (MOTAL) multi-media exhibition titled, "A Class Action, The Grassroots Struggle for School Desegregation in California." The exhibit is scheduled to be displayed in the District lobby from September 1 - November 30. The exhibition highlights the historic Mendez, et.al vs. Westminster et.al. federal court case, which played a pivotal role in the fight against school segregation in California. This exhibit has been commended for its powerful message and the role it plays in bringing the impact of this court on the outcome of Brown vs. the Board of Education. Thanks was offered to OCC's Academic Senate for their work in the spring semester to bring attention to the impact the five local families in the case had on the course of America's future.

 

College News

GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE

Golden West College is celebrating Disability Pride Month throughout July. GWC student Matt Blake has been a tireless advocate for students with disabilities at GWC, sharing his voice and insight via college and district committees, student panels and employee development activities. Matt plans to graduate this year and transfer to a university, where he will continue working toward his goal of becoming a disability advocate or attorney specializing in education.

 

A circle with the words Golden West College, Huntington Beach, on the outside with a central surfboard and the letters GWC.
GWC student Matt Blake in celebration of Disability Pride Month

 

 

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE

Orange Coast College students, Carissa Pagan and Juan Gerardo Gonzalez Reyes, were named 2023 Snap Academies Scholars. This highly competitive SnapChat internship program has existed for six years and is open for application to Los Angeles and Orange County community colleges and universities. OCC is the only Orange County college accepting students into the SnapAcademies. Pagan has been accepted into the Snap Design Academy and Reyes will join the Snap Storytelling Academy for a nine week program. They will leave the summer with hands-on experience in marketing, communications, brand experiences, data-driven insights, and real-world working experience to add to their accomplishments.

 

An Orange circle forming an O with two interior waves in dark blue forming two C shapes.

 

Schedule


Board of Trustees
The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, August 16, with closed session beginning at 4:00 p.m. and open session at 5:00 p.m.


Chancellor, Week of August 7
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday, through Friday

 


publicaffairs@cccd.edu

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