August 14, 2025
Dear SRJC Community,

 

At the core of SRJC’s mission is a commitment to supporting student success. Guided Pathways (GP)—a statewide framework designed to transform the student experience—integrates evidence-based strategies to help students enter college, clarify their goals, stay on track, and complete their academic and career pathways. 

 

SRJC began its GP work in 2017. Following a recommendation from the Academic Senate, the Office of the President assumed leadership of the initiative in November 2023. A cross-discipline, cross-constituent workgroup was formed to provide recommendations and support for the implementation of the GP workplan, create and convene workgroups, and make further recommendations to the Superintendent/President, for consideration. The GP work aims to create a more integrated, equitable, and student-centered college experience.

 

Today, I’m pleased to share an update on the initiative, including a new name and visual identity:

SRJC Forward is the District’s implementation of GP at a local level. This new name and identity signal a shift in mindset – from viewing GP as a compliance requirement to embracing it as a catalyst for meaningful, District-wide transformation of the student experience. The name reflects our shared commitment to innovation, inclusion, and equity-centered institutional change. Rather than asking students to navigate around systemic barriers, this work is about redesigning SRJC’s systems and supports to better serve students.
 

Developed in partnership with the GP workgroup, Academic Senate, Student Government Assembly, and Marketing and Communications, the new name and identity will help establish a unified identity for the initiative and guide our efforts moving forward. 

 

Recent Progress
In addition to contextualizing the work to the college, SRJC Forward has gained momentum through efforts in several areas that are helping to translate vision into action:

• Action areas: Five key action areas were identified, focusing on specific implementation priorities. Each action area has a dedicated team including a GP workgroup member who is appointed as a representative from across college constituencies, working together to move the initiative forward collaboratively. The five action areas are:
  • program mapping and academic/career interest areas
  • communication and coalition-building
  • research and data
  • website improvements
  • partnerships with other college initiatives, such as Adult Education and the Strong Workforce Program.
• Hiring of two implementation coordinators:
  • Program Mapping and Interest Areas Coordinator: As Filomena Avila wrapped up her service in this role at the close of Spring 2025, we welcomed Mackenzie Galindo to the team. Mackenzie is leading the efforts to develop major and program maps as well as academic and career interest areas, making educational pathways clearer and more manageable for students.
  • English faculty member Dr. Michael Hale, Faculty Coordinator for SRJC Forward, is leading efforts to coordinate and implement initiatives outlined in the work plan as it pertains to faculty, ensuring the work remains equity-centered and student-focused. In this role, Dr. Hale also serves as a resource for faculty, offering support, guidance, and regular updates as they integrate SRJC Forward practices into their programs. 

 

Implementation Focus

SRJC Forward is entering its initial implementation phase, beginning with program mapping.  Once maps are completed for all 324 academic programs, the next steps involve validation through departmental review and integration into the new student information system and website, ensuring students have access to clear and accessible pathways and planning tools.

 

The workgroup continues to review previous work on academic and career interest areas and will bring forward recommendations to inform this next phase. In alignment with the SRJC Forward workplan, additional areas of focus include redesigning the student-facing website and enhancing onboarding and the first-year student experience. This work will be conducted in alignment with the 2025–2030 District Strategic Plan, the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, and the Student Equity Plan. The SRJC Forward team will be hosting a session at the Fall 2025 PDA Day, and I encourage everyone to stay connected and engaged as we continue to reimagine what’s possible for students.

 

Thank you to the many classified professionals, faculty, students, and administrators who continue to shape this work with insight and dedication. Your leadership and collaboration are vital to the success of how SRJC supports students. 

 

In Community,  

Dr. Garcia and the SRJC Forward Workgroup

 

Angélica Garcia, Ed.D.
Superintendent/President
707-527-4431, angelicagarcia@santarosa.edu