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Weekly News Brief | April 23, 2024
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
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Thank you to everyone who made last week's State of the District and Equity Symposium possible. Particularly my appreciation to Dr. Dana Emerson for leading the District in the inaugural gathering on equity in what I am sure is to become a tradition for years to follow.
In my remarks, I praised the District for the last two years of excellence. The story of your success was told borrowing the words of Student Trustee John Bruning, Coastline College student Jessica Lopez, Golden West College student Darla Nunez, and Orange Coast College student Madison Harris. Through their eyes we saw how meaningful a Veterans Resource Center is to a veteran looking for a home, the power of perceiving a person not for their disabilities but for their capabilities, the inspiration of representative role models, and the life-changing power of academic excellence. I asked those in attendance to imagine the power of the 40,000 stories told by our 40,000 students every year.
I also set forward three points of navigation through the storms of the coming year: fiscal stability, as no destination is within reach if we cannot keep the ship afloat, academic excellence that works for everyone, and continued engagement where it matters most – including our DEIAA efforts.
The first annual Equity Symposium followed, rich with details of the work happening at each college. I knew there was much happening that we had not properly celebrated. I was amazed and encouraged by the extent and range of initiatives and innovations. We concluded the symposium with a panel of three students and one recent graduate. Each shared wonderful confirmation of programs that include Umoja, Puente, and MESA. The panelists spoke about finding community at the colleges. They also spoke about the need for more spaces and activities that bring communities together, especially for minoritized students who often feel excluded and "othered" in the broader population.
In all, last Thursday was a fantastic day. It would be hard to leave the closing panel with anything less than renewed drive and motivation. The work is not done, yet you should take pride in how much has been accomplished.
With gratitude,
Dr. Whitney Yamamura
Chancellor
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Report from the Board of Trustees
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On Wednesday. March 21, the Board of Trustees met and accepted the retirements of Connie Marten, Training and Development Specialist, and Paul Wisner, Director of Business Services, both from Golden West Colleges. Trustees lauded the service of both Connie and Paul.
On recommendation of the Legislative Affairs Committee, the Board approved a letter in support of HR6585 Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act. This legislation would provide additional opportunity for low-income individuals to advance their careers and enter the workforce.
Trustees also approved the Measure M annual report, the CCCD Equity & Equal Employment Opportunity Plan 2024-2027, and the Academic Calendar and Classified/Administrative Holiday Schedule for 2025-26.
Jeanette Grimm and Rebecca Morgan of Orange Coast College presented on the Caring Campus program. The program advances five behavioral commitments: 1. The Ten Foot Rule, greet students 10 feet or less from you and offer to help; 2. Nametags, wear your Coast Cares Cards to be identified as an employee and someone who can help; 3. Cross-Department Awareness, get to know other departments/staff and the services they offer to students; 4. Warm Referrals, use the Internal Employee Department Contact located in the OCC Portal for warm handoffs to students; 5. First Week Greetings, volunteer for Welcome Week and Navigate OCC to welcome students to OCC.
Trustees adjourned in memory of Michael Beale, a beloved member of the Orange Coast College Accessibility Resource Center. Michael dedicated over 23 years to our students and the campus community as an Instructional Associate and part-time counselor. Additionally, the Board remembered Golden West College student Luay Alnajjar, who passed away in a fatal car accident earlier this month. Lastly, the Board remembered Marty Shrank, social activist on women's issues, housing, and homelessness – and a friend of education.
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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! |
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College News
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COASTLINE COLLEGE |
The 6th Annual California Community Colleges (CCC) LGBTQ+ Summit will be held virtually April 24 - 25, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Join and collaborate with members of the CCC at all levels. The summit is a space for students, faculty, classified professionals, and administrators where the focus will be on this year's theme, The Unstoppable Movement for Queer and Trans Liberation, and on improving not only individual community college campuses, but encouraging changes at the structural level as well. Join to learn about innovative and successful ideas that will transform campuses to better serve and affirm LGBTQ+ students.
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GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE |
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On April 4, the CalOptima Health Board of Directors approved a grant of $2,040,000 through its Provider Workforce Development Initiative to the Coast Community College District to expand the Running Start to Nursing pathway at Golden West College and develop a K–12 pathway to the Radiologic Technology Certificate program at Orange Coast College. The Coast District is matching the grant with $2,710,000 in statewide Strong Workforce grant funds, for a combined $4.75 million. GWC will receive more than $2 million to expand its existing Dual Enrollment partnership with Westminster High School and other high schools, as well as its Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) with California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB). The Running Start to Nursing pathway program will place high school students on an accelerated path toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree as early as 10th grade. High school students who participate in the program will have an opportunity to reduce their postsecondary education by up to two years. After graduating from high school, students will continue taking courses at GWC and eventually enroll in the College's CEP, which allows students to earn college credit toward their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from CSUSB while enrolled in nursing courses at Golden West.
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| ORANGE COAST COLLEGE |
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Orange Coast College's Dance Department will present its annual Spring Dance Celebration on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert B. Moore Theatre. Dance chair Rachel Berman and dance faculty Angelika Nemeth will co-direct this exhilarating evening titled This is Us. This is Us will showcase the department's exceptional dancing and cultural diversity, highlighting its World Dance Program and featuring choreographic premieres by OCC students and faculty members Ms. Nemeth, Marru Mikaelian, and Monti Ellison. Ms. Nemeth will present a classical Egyptian piece (Raqs al Sharqi), Mr. Ellison a West African work, and Ms. Mikaelian will create a Polynesian dance dedicated to the Hawaiian island of Maui. In this work, students will perform a Hawaiian dance (hula) to the song Hanohano' O Maui, which celebrates the valley isle and its iconic landmarks. OCC students will premiere works in a captivating blend of various styles, including contemporary, Middle Eastern, Butoh, ballet, salsa, and Ukrainian folk dance. The title, This is Us, reflects the students' artistry and openness in addressing difficult subject matter, including mental health issues, loss, and depression- that young people are dealing with today.
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Schedule
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Chancellor, Week of April 22
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Friday.
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publicaffairs@cccd.edu
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