Chancellor's News Brief

This week I wanted to highlight the Newsroom sites used to promote our colleges and district. These platforms not only highlight the remarkable work taking place within our campuses but also serve as a storytelling medium that reflects our culture and the values connecting us with our communities.

By showcasing our programs, initiatives, and student success stories, a sense of pride and community is being created among current students, faculty, and staff, while also reaching out to prospective students and their families. Effective communication through these channels is crucial for recruitment, helping potential students and employees understand the culture of our campuses and encouraging them to view our colleges as their educational home.

Importantly, these Newsrooms are not just for our external audiences; they are valuable resources for our current students, faculty, and staff as well. They feature campus events and provide behind-the-scenes insights into programs that even our most experienced colleagues might not know about. I invite everyone to explore our colleges’ Newsroom sites and engage with the content. Here are the links to each:

• Orange Coast College Newsroom
• Golden West College Newsroom
• Coastline College Newsroom
• District Newsroom

Additionally, I encourage you to follow our colleges and district on social media and check out our YouTube channels. These platforms offer further opportunities for storytelling and help us connect with a broader audience.

Your support and participation are greatly appreciated. By engaging with our Newsroom content and sharing it within your networks, you amplify our message and help us reach even more individuals who could benefit from the outstanding education we provide.

With gratitude,

Dr. Whitney Yamamura
Chancellor

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!

Please save the date for the Eighth Annual California Community Colleges' Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) on October 14 – 18, 2024.

This year Coastline, Golden West and Orange Coast have partnered to host a series of “USAW” events for the Coast District Community, following this year’s theme: Education and Career UndocuDreams Made Possible. Throughout October, The Coast District will offer events, workshops and training sessions that highlight policies, resources and the experiences of undocumented students. Together, Coastline, Orange Coast and Golden West College are committed to supporting all students in their pursuit of higher education. Join us in empowering and supporting our students by participating in and sharing these events:

• Monday, October 14 | Student UndocuSocial - Arts & Crafts | 11 am – 1 pm
• Tuesday, October 15 | Know Your Rights by CHIRLA | 2 pm – 3:30 pm
• Wednesday, October 16 | UndocuStartup Bootcamp #1 - Entrepreneurship Series | 12:00 pm –1:30 pm
• Thursday, October 17 | UNDOCUADVOCATE TRAINING | 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Faculty/Staff/Administration Only Event
• Friday, October 18 | Empowering Your Career: Job Search Strategies for Undocumented Students | 4 pm – 5 pm

To register for these events, please visit the Coast CCCD Undocumented Student Action Week website.

In addition, the California Community College’s Chancellor’s office will be offering a series of virtual webinars from 9 am – 10 am starting Monday, October 14 through Thursday, October 17. You can register and learn more by clicking on https://www.cccco.edu/Students/Support-Services/Special-population/Undocumented-Students/Undocumented-Student-Action-Week .

Join us at the District Office on October 23 for FREE health screenings (bone density, derma scan, glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol) and FREE flu and/or Covid shots*! Make an appointment today to secure your spot, but walk-ins are welcome.

All District benefit eligible employees, retirees, and their enrolled dependents may participate in this event. (Classified, Confidential, Faculty, Managers, Part Time Faculty, Retirees)

For more information, visit: https://documents.cccd.edu/Human%20Resources/Benefits/2024HealthExpoCCCD.pdf.

*Those that want to get their free flu and/or Covid booster must use their District medical plan coverage.

• CVS is our partner administrating the boosters. Employees, retirees , and their enrolled dependents who have coverage under the following District medical plans could get their shots at the event: Anthem Blue Cross PPO, Blue Shield Access Plus HMO, Blue Shield Trio HMO, United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO.

*Kaiser Permanente wants its members to use Kaiser services and locations for flu and/or covid shots. Our Kaiser HMO and Kaiser Senior HMO folks may find information in the links below:

• Flu Shot - https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/southern-california/health-wellness/flu
• Covid Shot - https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/southern-california/health-wellness/coronavirus-information

National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The theme for 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”

Our colleges are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month! Click the links below to find out what events are going on at our campuses:

• Coastline College
• Golden West College
• Orange Coast College

October is Relationship Violence Awareness Month. As we work to end relationship violence, we must embrace the many ways we can heal from violence, hold space for survivors, and center those most marginalized.

Orange Coast College partnered with CalOptima to host a Health and Wellness Fair for students.

The event included community health, wellness, and mental resources. Additionally, students were able to get free dental and vision screenings, as well as free naloxone. We are extremely grateful for these partnerships, which greatly benefit our students.

698 students and community members were in attendance. The County of Orange Social Service Agency assisted 82 individuals with CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Relief, and CalWORKs inquiries

(L to R) OCC Vice President of Instruction Dr. Tara Giblin; Jordan A. Abushawish, MPP Senior Director, Federal and Local Government Affairs, CalOptima Health; CCCD Board Clerk Dr. Elizabeth Dorn Parker; CCCD Board President Dr. Lorraine Prinsky; OCC President Dr. Angelica Suarez; Deanne Thompson Executive Director Marketing and Communications, CalOptima Health; CCCD Chancellor Dr. Whitney Yamamura; CCCD Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Technology Dr. Andreea Serban; OCC Vice President of Student Services Dr. Madjid Niroumand

To highlight the importance of democracy and making your voice heard, Coastline College's Student Life, in partnership with the OC Registrar of Voters, recently hosted a "Donuts for Democracy" event at the Newport Beach and Garden Grove campuses. With boxes of donuts in hand, the event encouraged our Dolphin students to register to vote and get involved in the democratic process. The message was clear: no matter your political preference, your voice matters. The event aimed to boost civic engagement and increase voter participation among students and community members, reminding everyone that every vote counts.

This initiative was not just a fun and tasty way to emphasize the importance of voting, but also a serious effort to highlight the vital role that each individual plays in shaping the future of our democracy. Make a positive impact in your local community and beyond—get out and vote! Learn more about Coastline’s commitment to civic engagement at coastline.edu/civic-engagement.

Golden West College’s food pantry and basic needs hub The Stand was featured on FOX 11 Los Angeles - KTTV on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Reporter Bob DeCastro interviewed several college officials and students in four separate segments, highlighting the services provided by The Stand as well as the recently opened new location, which opened its doors just in time for the fall semester.

Golden West College invited Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles (or The Los Angeles Rainbow Mariachi) to perform on campus as part of the College’s National Coming Out Day and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. The musical group is the world’s only LGBTQ+ mariachi and was created as a haven for mariachi musicians who identify as LGBTQ+ to come together and perform traditional Mexican regional music in an otherwise “machista” and discriminating subculture of the mariachi world.

In addition to the mariachi performance, GWC’s National Coming Out Day festivities included a resource fair, arts and crafts activities, and a free lunch and otter pop. Students were also able to choose free clothes courtesy of Affirming OC, and receive support from Free Mom Hugs.

Earlier in the week, Golden West hosted a Latinx Leadership Panel discussion with both College leaders and an outside guest from the Mexican American Opportunities Foundation.

GWC is wrapping up its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration next week with a flower headband making workshop hosted by PUENTE, a “Know Your Rights” webinar for undocumented and mixed status students, and an UndocuAdvocate training for employees.

The Orange Coast College Friends of the Library will host their annual Fall Book Sale on Tuesday, October 22, and Wednesday, October 23, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The book sale will include a variety of used books ranging from bestsellers to romance, mysteries, science, art, history, and computers. Most books are priced starting at $1. The event will conclude with a “$2-a-bag” deal during the last two hours of the sale on Wednesday, October 23, from 1 until 3 p.m.

Friends of the Library (FOTL) members and OCC students can enjoy a pre-sale exclusive from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22. Those interested in becoming a FOTL member can complete a FOTL Membership Application before the book sale to take advantage of the one-hour pre-sale exclusive.

The book sale will be held in the Library Lecture Room (Room 112), near the front entrance.

The event is free to the general public. Attendees can park in Lot E and purchase a parking permit online through Passport Parking. Visit OCC’s Friends of the Library website for more information.

Chancellor, Week of October 14
Dr. Yamamura is in the District, Monday through Friday.