October 10, 2024

The Fall months usher in a festive atmosphere, with pumpkins, spices, scarecrows and goblins adorning the landscape. The semester’s momentum energizes students and faculty as they engage in activities and programming across the District. Collectively, we are making meaningful progress toward our four institutional priorities, while cultivating a community rooted in equity, belonging and inclusion. 

Along those lines, I want to share three updates in line with our priorities:

1. Institutional Effectiveness: Strategic Planning: In Spring 2024, the District Education Plan Workgroup discussed the importance of bringing into alignment the various plans that shape our mission as a college – Education, Student Services, Facilities, Technology, etc. This change necessitated a review by Planning and Budget Council (PBC). At the September 9th and September 23rd PBC meetings, Dr. Jeremy Smotherman, Senior Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Research and Planning, and Karolina Nazario, Director of Strategic Initiatives, presented a recommendation for a comprehensive and inclusive process in support of the college’s mission, vision and values that would address the siloed plans and focus on student’s educational experience at SRJC. On October 14, the PBC will vote to recommend a coordinated District Strategic Planning process to me as the Superintendent/President.
    
2. Student Success: Undocumented Student Action Week: The week of October 14-18 is Undocumented Student Action Week at SRJC. Throughout the week, there are workshops designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by undocumented students, build collaborative ecosystem for student success and share support resources for students and allies. As a community, it’s important that we work together to support students, faculty and all those involved in advocating for undocumented students. You can find out more about activities and events at Undocumented Student Action Week | Undocu · Immigrant · Dream Center (santarosa.edu)
    
3. IDEAA and Student Success: Lumafest Educational Open House: On October 19, 2024, we will have an educational Open House and Día de los Muertos community celebration from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on the SRJC Petaluma Campus. The annual Lumafest Open House promotes SRJC’s educational offerings and brings community together with a variety of events and programs filled with culture learning and fun for all ages. Visit  lumafest.santarosa.edu for a list of event highlights.

I am energized by the accomplishments and progress of our colleagues across the District. We have a lot to be proud of as a member of the SRJC community and I am grateful for your continued engagement.

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• Chaired the first meeting of the IDEAA Taskforce
• Attended & Keynote Community College Leadership for Student Success to the National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellows Program & Annual Leadership Symposium
• Attended and Co-led the Wheelhouse Annual Latinx College Presidents Convening at UC Davis.
• Provided a welcome to the Herencia “Bienvenida” zoom event for students and employees, with a focus on student engagement and success.
• Class Visits: Forensics Team- Students presented “After Dinner” speeches and held a Q&A with the President on public speaking and messaging; and Coun 10- Student Q&A with the President about balancing school, family commitments, work, and career aspirations. 
• Co-Facilitated the COLEGAS Webinar on Hispanic Serving Institutions, which included SRJC and Fullerton College Transformation Team work.
• Attended "Entre La Miel El Fuego" with Deyci Carrillo Lopez at SRJC Petaluma, as part of Herencia
• Pop up with the President at Public Safety Training Center provided time and space for the President to pass out paletas (Mexican popsicles) and share the SRJC Annual Report.
• Attended Congressman Mike Thompson's Table at Nancy Pelosi's Women's Luncheon in San Francisco
• Tour of Construction Training Center with Barry Friedman, CEO of Freidman’s, including a classroom visit.
  

 

• Public Safety Training Center: Adult Corrections Officer (ACO) Academy #52 started their 5-week academy with 41 recruits all sponsored with one non-sponsored individual.  This is one of the largest Corrections Academy classes ever here at the PSTC, with representatives from Sonoma County Sherriff’s Office, Lodi Police Department, Berkley Police Department and Mendocino County SO.  ACO #52 completed week two of their 200+ hour academy and will graduate with all recruits on October 11, 2024.  This academy will help replenish the correctional officer staffing shortage and adheres to state mandated policy under Standards and Training for Corrections (STC).  We are excited to see them through their academy experience and beyond.
• KAD: SRJC Football Beats SF CITY in Season Opener - 34-21 with over 900 people in attendance.
• The Career Hub Hosted 26 local employers at the Job & Internship Fair on Tues. September24. Employers from multiple industries and organizations attended. Jobs and internships were being offered in a variety of industries including dental hygiene to working at the Dept. of Fish and Game. We had over 250 students and alumni attend along with participation from our local high schools.
  

 

• Disability Resources made exciting progress last month as we successfully hosted a weeklong celebration of disability culture and awareness on the Petaluma campus. There were insightful guest speakers, engaging events, and vibrant community-building activities. The Disability Culture Center Grand Opening on Santa Rosa campus also happened in September.
• PAU House: We successfully held the PAU Center Open House, celebrating the collaboration between the Puente (for Latinx/e students) and APASS (for Asian & Pacific American students) programs, along with the Undocu·Immigrant·Dream Center (for undocumented & immigrant communities). Located on the third floor of Bertolini, the PAU Center offers a welcoming environment for Latinx, Asian, Pacific American, and immigrant students. We encourage everyone to visit this vibrant new space.
• Native American Center Program Coordinator: The SRJC community welcomed John “JD” Duran as the new Native American Center Program Coordinator on Sept 17 with prayers, leader remarks, a Land Acknowledgement by Reynalda Cruz, and cultural honors from the Native Resistance Drum Group.
    

   

• Capital and Facilities Projects September Update: We provided an update on the Projects to the Board of Trustees.
• Measure H: The final sitework visit for the 2023/24 external audit of the District, Foundation and the Measure H General Obligation Bond is underway. The audit is an extensive process that spans multiple weeks and involves many departments. The final reports will be submitted to the Board of Trustees in December for approval. A big thank you to Whitney Schultz, Finance Director, and all the affected areas for all the hard work in this process.
• Petaluma Construction Training Center: The Construction Training Center is complete. The first classes began in August and the Board of Trustees approved the Notice Of Completion at their September meeting. This has been a long process; we were awarded grant funding from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 2019. The ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, October 11 at 3 pm. 
  

 

• New Hire Orientation: After a five-year hiatus, Human Resources coordinated and facilitated an in-person New Employee Orientation for managers and classified professionals. There were 35 attendees from various departments throughout the District. In addition to HR, there were presentations made by the President’s Office, Marketing & Communications, District Police, Information Technology and SEIU. We intend to offer this orientation monthly so new employees will receive this information soon after they are hired.  Based on initial feedback, future orientations will be longer to include additional areas of focus and more time for discussion.
  

 

• President’s Address: The Foundation partnered with the President’s Office and 16 other departments/programs to produce Dr. Angélica Garcia’s inaugural President’s Address to the Community. Dr. Frank Chong was this year’s President’s Medallion recipient. The format was different than past years to reflect the Community Centric Principles recently adopted by the Foundation. The event was more affordable, accessible, and centered on students who have never been a major part of the gathering. We had 40 sponsors for the event, including a Presenting Sponsorship from Exchange Bank. Although the event was not a fundraiser, we netted funds that will be donated to the Roseland campus. The event will continue to occur in September in future years.
• Los Cien: The Foundation hosted a table of campus colleagues, including three Trustees, at Los Cien’s 11th State of the Latinx Community Address presented at Sonoma State University on September 26. This year, J Mullineaux participated in one of the panels and spoke about implementing Community Centric Principles at the SRJC Foundation.
• Operations: The Foundation operations had a strong year in FY24 with revenue ($1,522,665) exceeding expenses ($1,199,322) by $323,343, which means we can continue to make investments in our college that align with the strategic goal of reducing student success equity gaps.
  

In Community,
Dr. Garcia
Superintendent/President