Chancellor's News Brief

First and foremost, congratulations to all the members of our Flex Day Planning Committees! Your dedication and hard work were clearly reflected in the success of the day yesterday. I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and engage with the efforts of the committees. Gathering together to break bread and reaffirm our collective commitment to both our students and the Academy is truly time well spent.

Another opportunity to further strengthen this commitment will be upon us next week at the Annual State of the District event. The theme for this year’s event is Insight. Influence. Impact.

During this event, the college presidents and I will take a reflective look at the past year’s accomplishments and offer a glimpse into the future of our District.

Please join us at 9:00 am (coffee at 8:30 am) on February 27 at the District office for this important event. To RSVP, kindly email publicaffairs@cccd.edu.

Thank you again for your continued dedication to our students, our community, and the Coast District.

With gratitude,

Dr. Whitney Yamamura

Chancellor

On Wednesday the Board of Trustees started their meeting by accepting the retirements of Mariaala Muelas (OCC), Ted Marcus (CCC), and Juana Ramirez (CCC), who each had over ten years of service to the District. Mr. Marcus and his daughter were present to accept his retirement certificate.

Following the retiree recognition, a team from GWC, Noah Levin, Alanna Krause, Shawn Taylor, Tiffany Ruggeri-Dilello, and Jen Kalfsbeek-Goetz, presented on the progress towards President Randall’s goal of “100% ZTC at GWC”. With the math department leading the way, GWC is 60% of the way to reaching their goal. The initiative is succeeding because it is faculty-led, has support from administration, advocacy and research efforts through the library, and state and grant funding for faculty stipends.

Next on the agenda was a presentation, led by Dr. Serban, by the Institutional Effectiveness deans from each of the colleges. The report provides a comprehensive overview of four areas:

• Student Learning, Achievement and Development
• Student Outreach and Responsiveness to the Community
• Faculty, Staff, and Administrators/Managers
• Fiscal Support

A few highlights included were the increase in enrollment (FTES) of 8% from 2021-22 to 2023-24, of 55% in dual enrollment from 2019-20 to 2023-24, and of 67% in noncredit only students. The elimination of the anticipated budget deficit in 2023-24 through college and district fiscal stability plans was also emphasized.

The meeting was adjourned in memory of Coastline faculty member Stacey Phelps.

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!

The 2025 State of the District will be held on February 27 (Thursday). Save the date and join us at 9:00 am in the CCCD Board Room.

Join as Black History Month is celebrated through events and conversations through Coastline College, Golden West College, and Orange Coast College.

• 2025 Pathway Conference at CSU Fullerton

• Unity in Cultural Identity with Dr. Chike Akua - Orange Coast College
• BHM Speaker Series Breaking Barriers and Thriving: A Conversation with Tee Franklin

• Out Spoken: Comedy from the Soul

• OC Black Greek Get down –Region 8

Download Black History Month Zoom Backgrounds for your online meetings and events.

The Coastline Art Gallery is thrilled to unveil Graphic | Minimal | Abstraction, an electrifying new exhibition celebrating bold design, striking simplicity, and the power of abstraction. Featuring the work of Kingsley Aarons, Tm Gratkowski, Maxim Havlicek, Barbara Kolo, Janet Rosener, and Robin Sarne, this carefully curated showcase by Saltfineart invites viewers to immerse themselves in a world where form and color take center stage. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 22! A special lecture by Peter Frank will take place at 5 PM, followed by an unforgettable opening reception from 6 to 8 PM at Coastline’s Newport Campus.

Art lovers can experience the exhibition from February 5 to March 21, 2025, with gallery doors open Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM – 4 PM, or by appointment. Visit the gallery’s exhibition webpage for full details!

Orange Coast College hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of the new Chemistry Building on Thursday, February 20 at 10 a.m. The ceremony took place on the south side of the building and was followed by a tour and light refreshments.

OCC’s new Chemistry Building features lecture halls, faculty offices, meeting spaces, and nine labs. Several collaboration areas will provide options for students to gather, including outdoor study areas, two lobbies, and social deck area.

The 43,786-square-foot facility features updated instructional technology and infrastructure systems, including exterior circulation and HVAC systems.

Additionally, an interactive periodic table of elements display is located on the first-floor lobby. This illuminated display features individual cabinets for each element, showcasing the name, symbol and a sample of the element (no radioactive materials). The cabinets contain a fascinating array of high-grade element samples, minerals, ores and artifacts. Some of these samples are linked to Orange Coast College and its geographical location. For instance, the cabinet for sodium includes rock salt from Guerrero Negro, a location where marine science students visit during their annual grey whale field trip.

Faculty and student presenters will have the ability to showcase individual elements or groups
of elements using an iPad. Above the display, there will be a touchscreen that visitors can use to access short videos about each element, providing an easy way to learn more about their properties.

OCC’s periodic table of elements display was generously funded by an anonymous donor.

The Orange Coast College Planetarium will welcome community members to explore the wonders of the universe once again with its grand reopening celebration. After upgrading its projectors, the OCC Planetarium will reopen its doors with five free planetarium shows.

The grand reopening event will take place on Saturday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the first show beginning at noon. Visitors can choose from one of three shows, including “Magic Tree House: Space Mission,” “Birth of Planet Earth,” and a Spanish version of “Habitat Earth.”

“We are very excited to welcome the community back into our Mary Lynn Bergman-Rallis Theater," says Interim Planetarium Manager Jessica Artinger. "Our skies are darker and more immersive than ever, allowing us to showcase breathtaking visuals that bring the cosmos to life.”

Each show will feature stunning visuals, live narration, and an engaging experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a long-time space enthusiast, the grand reopening promises to offer something for everyone.

The event will also include activities for families, the Dennis Kelly Aquarium will be open to explore, along with a chance to win OCC and OCC Planetarium themed prizes.

Additionally, the College’s on-campus Starbucks will be open during the duration of the event.

Tickets for the free shows are limited and required for entry. To reserve your spot, visit OCC Tickets or click on one of the shows below. A waitlist is available once capacity is reached for each show.

Click on a show to view a complete description and secure your ticket.
Noon— Magic Tree House: Space Mission

1 p.m.— Birth of Planet Earth

2 p.m.— Habitat Tierra

3 p.m.— Magic Tree House: Space Mission

4 p.m.— Birth of Planet Earth

Parking is available in Lot E off Merrimac Way. When using Google maps, search “OCC Lot E”. Parking for this event is free for visitors.

What: OCC Planetarium Grand Reopening Celebration
When: Saturday, March 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Orange Coast College Planetarium | 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa
Admission: Free
Parking: Park in Lot E, Merrimac Way, Costa Mesa

Chancellor, Week of February 24

Dr. Yamamura is in the District Monday through Friday.