Blue waves behind the words Coast Colleges in dark blue

Weekly News Brief | February 9, 2024
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.

Chancellor Yamamura in front of the District Office

As we navigate through the challenges posed by our budgetary constraints, I am reminded of the analogy of preparing for a storm. Just as we fortify our homes and gather essential supplies in anticipation of turbulent weather, so too must we prepare ourselves for the financial challenges that lie ahead.

Over these last 18 months, we have engaged in numerous meetings and conversations with constituent and campus leaders across our district. These discussions have been instrumental in gathering valuable insights and perspectives as we strategize for the future. I look forward to them continuing throughout this semester. Your dedication to the well-being of our district is commendable and I am grateful for your continued collaboration and support.

I am pleased to inform you that the Board of Trustees has requested a special board meeting in February to address all aspects of our budget. Once that date is decided on, we will notice it in this News Brief. The additional meeting will be followed by a study session during the Board's regularly scheduled meeting on March 6 to discuss our stabilization plan. These sessions are crucial steps in our ongoing efforts to ensure the fiscal health of our district.

Additionally, the information about our continuing budget situation will be shared at the District Consultation Council Budget Subcommittee meetings. Their first meeting of the semester was held on February 2. The group will meet again on March 22nd and April 26th. If you are interested in attending, please check with your representative constituent leads who attend DCC for the Zoom invitation. Your participation in these discussions is vital as we work together to develop sustainable solutions for our financial challenges.

I want to take this opportunity to commend our campuses for their unwavering commitment to classroom efficiency and innovative practices aimed at limiting expenses and expanding revenue streams. Your dedication to excellence is evident and I am proud of the strides we are making as a district.

As we continue to weather this budgetary storm, let us remain steadfast in our resolve and united in our efforts. Together, we will emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before ready to celebrate the sunny days.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the Coast Community College District.

With gratitude,

 Whitney

Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor

 

Report from the Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees photos

On Wednesday, February 7, the Board of Trustees met to conduct the business of the District in support of students. Collectively, they reinforced the value of the student voice by unanimously approving changes to Board Policy 2015. The change would allow the Student Trustee to cast an advisory vote prior to any vote by the other trustees allowing the trustees to hear the student point of view ahead of voicing their own.

Trustees highlighted the assistance the Colleges are providing Veteran students through their memberships in the National Associations, working for and promoting quality educational programs for Veterans.

The reports from the individual Board members toward the end of the meeting were full of examples of their unwavering support of CCCD students. Trustees Moreno, Parker, and Bruning spoke of their visits to state legislators to discuss opportunities for students in allied health, nursing, and AI. Trustees Hornbuckle and Prinsky spoke about their visits with local constituents and educational webinars they attended to promote Coast Colleges.

Board President Prinsky thanked her fellow Trustees for their passion and commitment to the District and its students. She expressed her satisfaction of being able to serve with colleagues who advocated so strongly for the mission of education.

The Board adjourned in memory of Rose Kawasaki, Joseph DeHerrera, and Ray Cordoba, all committed allies of higher education.

 

Persistent Innovation

Please send examples of persistent innovation, by which I mean having a good idea and then putting in the hard work to make that vision a reality. The more examples submitted, the better I can highlight your successes in future letters and in the community!

 

Black History Month

Black History Month

February is Black History Month! In celebration, Coastline College and its Umoja Community will be hosting multiple events throughout the month. Coastline is extending an invite to the entire District.

List of Black History Month events

 

 

College News



COASTLINE COLLEGE

Coastline College President Vince Rodriguez was invited to present on a pivotal discussion at the AI and the Future of Work Webinar, hosted by Nuventive on January 30, 2024. Prior presenters have included Microsoft Senior Executives and University and College Presidents leading the edge on technology. The session illuminated the strategic role of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, with a focus on equipping students with essential skills for an evolving job market. Delving into AI's potential to enhance persistence, graduation rates, and overall student outcomes, the webinar underscored community college presidents' commitment to optimizing wrap-around service delivery for the holistic betterment of students and institutions alike.

 

The words Coastline College above a shield with the letter C.

AI and the Future of Work

 

 

ORANGE COAST COLLEGE

On display at Orange Coast College's Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion from January 29 until March 21, "Roger Whitridge: Order and Chaos" is an ongoing painting series. Modern life is a digital tapestry of shifting realities, ideologies, and symbols colliding from the past and present. The paintings translate these absurd dualities throughout decades, growing more complicated through time and layered painting techniques. These symbols can be mass-consumed from film and television or emerge from the spiritual, esoteric, and philosophical. His realistic painting style is less about representing what he sees and more about creating an allegory of competing realities by blending figures, still life settings, and tromp l'oeil techniques that explore philosophical and historical conundrums.

 

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

Orange Coast College Roger Whitridge: Order and Chaos

 

 

Schedule


Chancellor, Week of February 12
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Thursday. Friday is an observed holiday.

 



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