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Persistent innovation. That is the characteristic that allows us to grow and change. It is one thing to have an idea, it is another to pursue it despite the obstacles in our way. It was also immediately apparent to me that it is a trait of the Coast Community College District that is wholly integrated and valued.
Before I began as chancellor, Golden West College Outreach Program Specialist, Ben Olague, had an observation. It appeared that many high school college fairs were featuring UC, CSU, and private colleges and universities earlier in the year, while not inviting community colleges until later in the enrollment cycle - if at all. The Coast District immediately tried to put an innovative solution into law. That first attempt, despite broad support and best efforts of the team, failed.
The Coast District team remained persistent and worked with legislative partners to draft Assembly Bill 1173 that requires a high school "planning to hold a college or career fair to notify each community college district that has overlapping jurisdiction." This current legislative cycle, AB1173 was authored and carried by Assemblyman Tri Ta, former mayor of Westminster. Assemblyman Ta immediately saw the value of the proposal in educating the state's future workforce and providing an accessible education for Californians. His leadership helped see the bill through both the Assembly and Senate with unanimous consensus.
In his congratulatory remarks this Monday, offered in sight of the Mendez, et al. v. Westminster, et al. exhibit, Assemblyman Ta connected the bill to his own immigrant story and the role of public higher education in creating opportunity in his life. He also spoke to the larger story of inclusion and equitable access told through the end of statutory K-12 segregation in California. This revolutionary change was due to the persistence of the Mendez, Estrada, Guzman, Palamino, and Ramirez families, who successfully pushed their ideas through the school and court systems to transform public education in California and eventually, the United States.
With the Mendez, et al. v. Westminster, et al. exhibit being packed up today, I think we are all charged to consider how we might put its lessons into practice through persistent innovation. For example, with the support of Assemblyman Ta and the Coast District's success in bringing AB1173 forward, we are now exploring ways we can partner with the state to ensure all California K-12 students learn about this crucial case.
A new feature article in the News Brief, highlighting our innovative work, will begin next week. Please send your examples of having a good idea and putting in the hard work, (including but not limited to curriculum, equipment, facilities, or pedagogy) to make that vision a reality. By shining a light on these successes, we can continue to celebrate and cultivate our culture of Persistent Innovation.
With gratitude,
Whitney
Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor
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