17³Ô¹Ï

October 2, 2024

(1) Appreciation for the ACCJC Focused Site Visit participants

Over the last two days, a subgroup of the ACCJC Accreditation Peer Review Team were on campus to host conversations on the college's two core inquiries related to accreditation standards. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of 17³Ô¹Ï's Focused Site Visit, and the high level of engagement brought to the process, both before and during the visit. Our college spoke authentically to the ongoing work, work-in-progress, and pain points related to areas in the Core Inquiry Report.
This visit was a critical part of ensuring that we continue to uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, and the commitment was evident. Accreditation Team Chair and El Camino College Superintendent-President, Dr. Brenda Thames, noted in our one-on-one meeting that our entire campus community upholds, in both word and deed, an unwavering adherence to high-quality holistic learning.
A special thank you to Dr. Elaine Kuo, our Accreditation Liaison Officer, and Kelaiah Harris for shepherding the college with care and an attention to detail through this process. At each step, inclusivity was embraced.
Thank you to the following people for your time, energy, and contributions to the focused site visit sessions: Sally Baldwin, Carlos Barreto, Jeff Bissell, Cynthia Brannvall, Rachelle Campbell, Anthony Cervantes, Antoinette Chavez, Roosevelt Charles, Peter Chow, Robert Cormia, Patricia Crespo-Martin, Chris Custer, Danmin Dang, Dolores Davison, Reese De La Cerda, Rachael Dworsky, Kimberly Escamilla, Brian Evans, Jordan Fong, Laura Gamez, Stacy Gleixner, DeAnna Gossett, Nicole Gray, Leigh Henderson, Allison Herman, Kurt Hueg, Julie Jenkins, Ben Judd, Ben Kaupp, Nicole Kerbey, Anu Khanna, Giorgio Lagna, Natalie Latteri, Amber La Piana, Carla Maitland, Kathryn Maurer, Allison Meezan, Nasim Nahavandi Moghadam, Patrick Morriss, Rosa Nguyen, Bita Norsratieh, Josh Pelletier, Kas Pereira, Mona Rawal, Eric Reed, Katy Ripp, Catalina Rodgriguez, Patrick Santana, Laurie Scolari, Amy Shidler, Kyle Taylor, Voltaire Villanueva, Judith Walgren, Lene Whitley Putz, Bret Watson, Charles Witschorik, and Judy Yamamoto.
My thanks to Chancellor Lee Lambert and Board President Peter Landsberger for committed leadership.
And, of course, appreciation should continue for those that supported the research, writing and editing of the Institutional Self Evaluation Report . Your efforts reflect the best of what makes our campus community so special.
Our comprehensive peer team report is forthcoming and the decision of the commission will be public in February. Kudos to 17³Ô¹Ï!

(2) First Mission Informed Planning Council Meeting this Friday.

The Mission Informed Planning Council will hold its first meeting this Friday from 1-3 pm in room 1901 or on Zoom. The agenda is viewable on the MIPC website.

(3) Dr. Tania Israel: Realizing the Promise of Higher Ed in a Divided World

Please accept the recent invitation sent by Dr. Ajani Byrd for an opportunity to meet the challenge of growing divergent opinions with inquiry. Dr. Tania Israel, a Professor of Counseling Psychology and an Associate Dean for DEI at UC Santa Barbara will return to campus on October 9th for a two-part program. Grounded in evidence, experience, and a lifetime in higher education, Dr. Israel offers vision and strategies to help colleges embrace the potential of this moment. She is the award-winning author of Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide and Facing the Fracture: How to Navigate the Challenges of Living in a Divided Nation.
12-1pm (in person and via streaming). This part of the program will identify root causes of division, outline higher education goals and values, and outline strategies to help college staff, faculty, and administrators enact social justice and equity given current challenges.
1-2pm (in person only). This part of the program will focus on practical tools for dialogue, teaching, and leadership. Attendees will have opportunities to practice skills and troubleshoot specific challenges they face in their campus roles. The first half of this program will be available in person and via streaming. The second half is in person only. Attend in person for the full experience and for lunch.

(4) Newsom Vetoes Bachelor Degree Programs (BDP) Nursing Legislation.

To those working hard to expand access to higher education, Governor Newsom’s veto of 3 pieces of BDP legislation was profoundly disappointing. Newsom sent back, without signature, one bill that would expand the College Promise to community college bachelor degree programs. Also vetoed, two competing pieces of legislation that would set up a pilot program for nursing BDPs in 10-15 community colleges.

(5) Photography Exhibit in Administration Building.

Photography instructor Judy Walgren’s Collaborative Portraiture Project with students from Tools for Transition & Work is on display in the administrative wing of 1901. Come by and see this mission-affirming work.

Yours in service,
Kristina