 |
|
Weekly News Brief | March 1, 2024
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
|
|
 |
|
It was exciting to get to the office this morning and see the signs posted for in-person voting. Starting tomorrow, Saturday, March 2, through Tuesday, March 5, Orange County voters will be able to visit the District Office and cast a ballot. For those who are permitted under law, voting is a right and a responsibility. It gives us as a people power over the system.
Historically, the journey for equity and justice in almost every minoritized group has at some point traveled to the ballot box. Yet cynicism can be weaponized to reduce the power of a person or group of people. It is my hope that we all hold some optimism for the future, some vision of a better world, that motivates us to listen, to speak, and to vote.
My thanks to the Orange County Registrar of Voters for again being an excellent partner of the Coast District. Please check out the website ocvote.gov for voting locations, information, and (staring Tuesday evening) results.
With gratitude,
Whitney
Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
Chancellor
|
|
|
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! |
|
|
College News
|
COASTLINE COLLEGE |
The Flex committee hosted the All College Spring 2024 Flex Day on February 22, 2024. Faculty, Classified Professionals and managers at Coastline College gathered at the Garden Grove campus to attend workshops for Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness, Social Justice, Accessibility and Anti-Racism (DEISAA), mental health, and student tools and resources. The day was marked by a collective display of innovation and collaboration as educators and support personnel engaged in a series of learning opportunities, sharing insights and exploring the latest trends in higher education. Among the highlights was the exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to boost professional productivity and discussions surrounding the development of a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence program and a Competency Based Education model. The dynamic exchange of ideas and the exploration of cutting-edge approaches reaffirm Coastline College's position as a leader in shaping the future of higher learning. For the President's Address, Dr. Rodriguez presented the list of new hires, and Chancellor Yamamura spoke about Coastline's contribution towards student success. Overall, Spring Flex Day was a huge success!
| 
|
 |
GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE |
|
Starting this spring, Golden West College students will have access to grants that will assist them with high-cost basic needs such as rent, childcare, and living expenses. Students who currently are enrolled in six or more units and have completed a FAFSA or California Dream Act application are now able to request two of the three grants per semester to assist them with basic needs, including $1,000 for rent assistance, $1,000 for childcare, and $500 for basic living expenses. GWC's Basic Needs grants are funded from on-going basic needs grants received by the College from the California State Chancellor's Office, as well as student equity and lottery funds. California Assembly Bill 2884 recently expanded the acceptable use of California Lottery proceeds to include community college students' basic needs. In addition to efforts to attract and enroll students just out of high school, GWC provides support for adult students planning to change careers. Flexible scheduling, online courses and services, and classes at night are provided along with the Basic Needs grants.
| 
|
 |
| ORANGE COAST COLLEGE |
|
Orange Coast College has been named one of 32 Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) for 2024 by the United States Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD). OCC is one of three institutions in California to receive this designation in 2024 and was one of MARAD's inaugural CoE in 2021. MARAD grants institutions that receive the CoE designation permission to identify as recipients. Designees may state that MARAD has determined their institution and their maritime training programs meet the qualifying standards as stated in 46 US Code § 54102, approved by the U.S. Congress in 2018. CoE designations assist the maritime industry in obtaining and maintaining the highest quality workforce. The designation recognizes and promotes support for post-secondary maritime training programs that prepare students for careers in the marine industry.
| 
|
 |
|
|
|
Schedule
|
|
Chancellor, Week of March 4
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Wednesday.
Dr. Serban is Acting Chancellor on Thursday and Friday.
|
|
publicaffairs@cccd.edu
|
|