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Weekly News Brief | July 19, 2024
From the Office of Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, Ed.D.
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As we find ourselves in the midst of summer, I want to acknowledge the vibrant and ongoing activities that continue to make our colleges a hub of engagement and learning. Although the summer sessions may have fewer classes scheduled, our campuses are far from dormant.
We kicked off the month with July 4th celebrations, including participation in Huntington Beach's Independence Day parade by Golden West College's President, a team from student services, and their mascot Goldie. This energy carried through to the events and programs that followed.
At Golden West College, the Summer Swim Program has been a resounding success, providing an excellent opportunity for community engagement and skill-building. Both Golden West College and Coastline hosted career exploration academies, offering invaluable insights and guidance for students' future career paths. Orange Coast College is the proud supporter of Girl's Inc IgniteHER conference, organized in conjunction with Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie Norris. This event is an inspiring platform for empowering young women and fostering leadership skills.
On the administrative front, our Fiscal Services team is diligently closing the 2023-24 budget year, while Payroll is reconciling vacation and sick leave balances. Human Resources is actively scheduling professional development training and recruiting for open positions, including the critical role of Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, which we hope to have approved at the August 21st Board Meeting. We are also thrilled to welcome two new Vice Presidents of Instruction: Tara Giblin at Orange Coast College and Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz. Their expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our academic programs.
Our campuses have also been buzzing with countless tours and outreach events, ensuring that prospective students and their families feel welcomed and informed about the opportunities available at our colleges.
Although the state budget forecast may signal further budget tightening, our primary focus remains on providing students with the education they deserve. It is important to remember that our colleges and district operate year round, 24/7. Even though campuses may appear quieter during the summer months, our dedicated employees are diligently working in their offices, ensuring we continue to offer exceptional services and support to our students and community.
Thank you for your unwavering dedication and hard work. Together, we make our colleges a thriving and dynamic place of learning and growth throughout the year.
With gratitude,
Dr. Whitney Yamamura
Chancellor
P.S. As a reminder, the News Brief will return to its weekly distribution starting August 2.
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Report from the Board of Trustees
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At Wednesday's board meeting the trustees heard three distinctive yet related reports highlighting the continuous improvements happening at our colleges. The first was a 2nd year update on the College Equity Plans which highlighted initiatives on each campus focused on closing equity gaps. The second was a report on the success rates of the college's Career Tech Education programs. The final one on the agenda was the District's Strategic plan for 2024-2027 which is actually the starting point for all other work at the district. It is the product of participatory governance efforts at all three colleges and sets the goals for the next three years including those around closing equity gaps and raising success rates in our CTE programs.
In board member remarks Trustees commended the efforts of the Legislative Committee on advocating for Golden West's nursing program. Through the committee, support letters were issued for SB895 which, if passed, would allow community colleges to offer Bachelor's Degrees in Nursing, an opposition letter was issued on AB2578 which would open up already limited California clinical sites to out-of-state nursing programs and, finally, through the op-ed Trustee Prinsky co-wrote with GWC Director of nursing Alice Martanegara.
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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 |
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Coastline College was honored with the "Chamber's Choice - Partner Award" by the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce. This distinguished recognition celebrates Coastline's unwavering commitment to actively engage with the Chamber and demonstrate a genuine dedication to its initiatives, and programs throughout the community.
The selection committee was unanimous in their decision, citing Coastline College's consistent embodiment of the qualities of an outstanding chamber partner throughout the year. The college's dedication to the growth and prosperity of the community and the students it serves, coupled with its commitment to fostering strong relationships with fellow businesses, made it the perfect choice for this distinguished accolade.
As a recipient of this prestigious award, Coastline College was recognized at the Garden Grove Chamber's 117th Annual Gala Dinner and Awards, June 29, 2024, at the Anaheim Marriott Suites in Garden Grove.
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GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE |
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Golden West College welcomes Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Jennifer Kalfsbeek-Goetz!
Dr. Kalfsbeek-Goetz has nearly three decades of experience serving students in higher education, as both a faculty member and college leader. Prior to joining GWC, she served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Learning at Ventura College, where she was responsible for accreditation, curriculum, enrollment management, the Student Equity Plan, and professional development.
Other previous roles include Dean of Student Learning and the Title IX Coordinator at Moorpark College, Assistant Dean for New Program Development and Director of Distance Learning at California State University, Northridge's College of Extended Learning, and tenured faculty of sociology at Saint Paul College.
Dr. Kalfsbeek earned her doctorate in higher education administration from Capella University, her master's degree in sociology from the University of Maryland, and her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota.
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Providing for Students' Basic Needs Improves Academic Success
Golden West College saw impressive results after awarding 326 basic needs small grants totaling $264,211 to students this past spring semester. The students who received grants (an average of $810 per student) had an 83% course success rate compared to 72% for the general population of students during the same time period. Students in younger age groups saw an even higher impact: those in the 18-19-year-old age range achieved 83% success versus 67% for a comparison group, and those in the 20-24-year-old age range succeeded at an 84% rate versus 67% for a comparison group.
Spring 2024 grade point averages also were higher across the board for students who received a basic needs grant, at 2.97 overall compared to 2.49 in the comparison group.
"These results make it clear that even small amounts of funding help students stay in school and complete classes," says GWC President Meridith Randall. "Past case studies have shown that the use of 'micro grants' as small as $300 allow students to remain in school and complete their programs. Golden West College intends to continue providing grants to students through both state and private funding."
Earlier this year, California passed legislation that allows more college funding to be used for basic needs grants to students. GWC used the opportunity to advertise grants to students for rent, childcare or other needs. Students were allowed to apply for up to $2000 for the spring semester if they completed a FAFSA and enrolled in at least 6 units.
Sixty percent of grant recipients were women and almost 40% were Hispanic/Latinx. The majority of grant recipients were between the ages of 18 and 29.
The impact of the grants had an overall positive effect across several demographics at GWC, with the data showing:
- 81% of Hispanic/Latinx students succeeded in their courses versus
- 64% in a comparison group.
- 72% of Black recipients succeeded versus 57% in a comparison group.
- 82% success rate for white students versus 78% in a comparison group.
- 88% success rate for Asian students versus 82% in a comparison group.
- Male grant recipients had a 13% higher success rate than males in a comparison group.
Golden West College enrolls 18,000 students a year, most of them with some amount of financial need. In addition to paying for tuition, many have families, children and others to support; more than 70% of GWC students work while attending school to pay for rent, food and other basic needs. The College has long provided basic needs support via an on-campus food pantry, bus passes, scholarships and more, much of which is funded by its Foundation or state grants.
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| ORANGE COAST COLLEGE |
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The Coast Community College District Board of Trustees has approved Dr. Tara Giblin as the new Vice President of Instruction at Orange Coast College at its meeting on July 17, 2024. Dr. Giblin was selected after an extensive nationwide search and will begin her new role on July 22, 2024. She has served as Acting Vice President of Instruction since January 2024.
With over 20 years of experience in research, teaching, and administration, Dr. Giblin has dedicated her career to serving students in higher education through excellence in teaching and providing enriching experiences beyond the classroom. This makes her an excellent choice for the role of Vice President of Instruction at OCC.
Dr. Giblin holds a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Illinois, Urbana. She has also worked as a research chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and conducted post-doctoral research at the University of California, Riverside.
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Schedule
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Chancellor, Week of July 22
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Friday.
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publicaffairs@cccd.edu
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