Blue waves behind the words Coast Colleges in dark blue

Weekly News Brief | November 9, 2023
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor Yamamura in front of the District Office

Tomorrow, the District Office, and Colleges will be closed in honor of Veterans Day. Honor is the appropriate word, and this week we have seen events and activities at the Colleges honoring those who served and those who currently serve in military uniform.

The distinction we draw between Memorial Day and Veterans Day is the difference between reflection of service-related casualties and reflection of the costs borne by every person who has served in war. The wounds and scars may be visible or hidden. They may be experienced most keenly by the mind or the body. It is no easy task to return to civilian life where most of us have a concept of armed conflict but lack the lived experience of that grim reality.

I say this because the Veterans Resource Centers at Coastline, Golden West, and Orange Coast, with thousands of visits per year, are where our commitments to veterans are focused - yet it cannot be left to the centers alone to be there for our veterans. In the classroom, in our student services, in our financial operations, in our interactions with colleagues, and in our decision making we must recognize the burden that the few carry for the sake of all.

Thank you, veteran students, faculty, staff, and managers. Thank you to those, many from the veteran ranks, who have stepped up to serve veterans districtwide. Thank you to our partners, the U.S. Veteran Affairs, CalVet, O.C. Veteran Services, U.S. Vets, the Assistance League, and the American Legion.

My final thoughts are for the families and loved ones of our veterans. You carry a different burden in the consequence of war. We honor and thank you too.

With gratitude,

 Whitney

Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor

 

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College News


COASTLINE COLLEGE

To commemorate Veterans Day, Coastline College's Veteran Services Coordinator Tom Boscamp is being awarded the Veteran of Distinction Award from Representative Michelle Steel. Tom, a U.S. Army veteran, is being recognized for his tireless service in aiding active duty and veterans in starting and completing their education at Coastline. Coastline College has two out of their three campuses, and their Student Services Center, located in Steel's District, which includes Fountain Valley, Westminster, and Garden Grove. Congratulations, Tom!

 

The words Coastline College above a shield with the letter C.
Headshot of Tom Boscamp

 

GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE

Students from Golden West College attended the California Community Colleges Student Affairs Association (CCCSAA) Student Leadership Conference in San Francisco on October 27-29, taking part in a transformative experience that enhanced their leadership skills and personal and professional growth. The conference kicked off with an inspiring keynote address by Dr. G.T. Reyes, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Co-founder of The Freedom School of Homies Empowerment. A community-engaged scholar-artist-organizer, Dr. Reyes shared his expertise in empowering young individuals, teachers and school leaders to effect meaningful change in their communities. His address emphasized the importance of radical imagination and capacity building as tools for transformation. On October 29, GWC students had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of workshops tailored to develop their leadership skills. The focus of these workshops was on creating B.R.I.D.G.E.S. - Brave, Resilient, Inclusive, Diverse, Genuine, Equitable Scholars. These sessions provided insights and tools to help students become effective leaders in their respective leadership interests.

 

A circle with the words Golden West College, Huntington Beach, on the outside with a central surfboard and the letters GWC.
California Community Colleges Student Affairs Association (CCCSAA) Student Leadership Conference in San Francisco

 

 

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE

The Aspen Institute has named Orange Coast College as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges. The colleges selected for this honor represent 15 percent of more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide, and are recognized as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds. OCC has been invited to submit data and narratives as the next steps in an intensive data and practice review process, culminating in the announcement of the Aspen Prize winner in Spring 2025.

 

An Orange circle forming an O with two interior waves in dark blue forming two C shapes.
Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

 

 

Schedule


Chancellor, Week of November 13
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Wednesday, off-site Thursday and Friday.

 


publicaffairs@cccd.edu

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