Chancellor's News Brief

As another busy week comes to a close, it’s important to reflect on the key events and initiatives shaping the District’s progress.

Last week and yesterday, I had the opportunity to learn how community colleges across the country are engaging with the changing technological landscape. The two conferences provided valuable insights into how emerging technologies, particularly AI, can improve work processes, enhance efficiency, and elevate services to the community. Fundamentally, as with any tool, the value of AI depends on how we use it. The knowledge gained from these conferences will help automate routine, time-consuming tasks, freeing up creative energy and benefiting both employees and students. If you have any ideas along these lines, please feel free to share.

At Wednesday's Board meeting, VC Drinkwine and the College VPs provided budget updates focusing on the colleges' stability plans, which are now in Phase III. These plans are crucial for reducing deficit spending and avoiding drastic cost-cutting measures in the future. We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in identifying savings and generating revenue through entrepreneurial efforts.

The financial challenges of the past few years have required difficult decisions, but those decisions are more manageable when the District stays focused on its core mission: providing higher education to our community. This shared commitment to access and success in education continues to guide every decision and initiative moving forward.

Thank you for your continued dedication, hard work, and resilience. Together, we are building a strong foundation for the future. Let’s keep supporting one another and stay focused on our core mission.

With gratitude,

Dr. Whitney Yamamura

Chancellor

Wednesday’s Board meeting brought out many members of our community, mostly parents from Orange Coast College’s Children’s Center. They were there to give public comment regarding the reduction of services at the Center that is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025. Prior to the public comment portion of the agenda, Trustee Parker announced the addition of a special meeting on March 10 at 5:00 pm which would be specific to the issue.

Following public comment, Vice Chancellor Marlene Drinkwine presented the Preliminary Budget Study Session to the Trustees. The presentation was an overview of the Governor’s Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2025-26 and how it is framing the tentative budget for the District. As part of the presentation, the Colleges’ Vice Presidents of Administrative Services reported on Phase III of their respective Fiscal Stability Plans. Each of the colleges and the District reported savings from closed positions and an increase in utilities fees as important variables to the fiscal health of the District.

The meeting was adjourned in memory of two faculty members at Orange Coast College: Dennis Anderson, who taught Recording Technology, and Lynne Cottrell, who taught in the Medical Assisting Program. Each of these faculty left an indelible mark on OCC and will be greatly missed by their colleagues.

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!

Coastline College student Yvonne Su has been selected as a 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. This prestigious award, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and administered by Phi Theta Kappa, recognizes outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community service. Yvonne was chosen from nearly 2,100 applicants in the highly competitive All-USA Academic Team competition.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards nearly $200,000 annually to 150 community college students across the country, recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars. “The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s global community leaders.”

Yvonne’s dedication to academic excellence and leadership has made a significant impact at Coastline College and beyond. Her recognition as a Coca-Cola Silver Scholar is a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and commitment to success. Coastline College celebrates Yvonne’s achievement and looks forward to seeing her continue to excel in her academic and professional journey.

This month the Golden West College theater department will stage a production titled The Nether, directed by Tom Amen. Shows will run from March 7-16 in the Main Stage theater, with nighttime performances beginning at 7:30 p.m., and additional 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays.

A gripping crime drama and sci-fi thriller, The Nether explores the darkest aspects of human desire. Set in the near future, the play follows a police detective questioning the creator of an online platform offering total sensory immersion, where users indulge in fantasies within a morally unbound virtual world.

“This is a timely and unsettling cautionary tale,” says Director Amen. “The Nether examines the tension between a virtuous reality and an unrestricted virtual realm.”

Tickets can be purchased for $18 on the GWC Tickets website, with discounted rates available for seniors, large groups, veterans and students.

The Orange Coast College Friends of the Library (FOTL) will host a screening of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour on Tuesday, March 11 and Wednesday, March 12 with a new selection of films on each night. The program will begin at 7 p.m. in the Robert B. Moore Theatre and feature an international selection of films presenting a wide range of outdoor adventures and portraits, including climbing, mountain expeditions, remote cultures, and the world’s last great wild places.

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is a flagship program of the Banff Centre in Canada. The festival began more than 35 years ago as a one-day event featuring films about mountain climbing and has grown into a nine-day event with more than 840 screenings throughout the year.

Advance tickets can be purchased on OCC Tickets for $16 or $20 the day of the screening. Tickets for current OCC students with ID are only $10. Advance tickets can be purchased online at OCC Tickets.

For general information, email cmorgan@occ.cccd.edu or call (714) 432-0202 x21058. Complimentary parking will be available in Lot C near the Robert B. Moore Theatre. All proceeds will benefit OCC Friends of the Library.

Chancellor, Week of March 10

Dr. Yamamura is in the District Monday through Wednesday.

Vice Chancellor Dr. Fiero is Acting Chancellor on Thursday & Friday.