Chancellor's News Brief

At CCCD our goal is still to erase differences in success based on demography and we remain committed to supporting all of our students to be successful. This means meeting them based on their educational needs. As we continue our work, on April 25, 2025, is the Teaching for Equity Symposium, a unique HyFlex professional development event at Coastline College’s Garden Grove Campus, and virtually via Zoom. This symposium is designed to empower us all—educators, administrators, and staff—to create learning environments that are truly inclusive and equity-driven.

Imagine a day filled with inspiring sessions and practical strategies that will help us honor the diverse identities and experiences of our students. We will explore culturally responsive teaching, race-conscious inquiry, and growth mindset frameworks, all aimed at equipping us to better serve our students.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Erin Gruwell as our keynote speaker. Erin, the celebrated educator and founder of the Freedom Writers Foundation, has a remarkable story. Her transformative teaching practices have empowered countless students once labeled "unteachable" to succeed. Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience, empathy, and equity in education, and I am certain her address will leave us all inspired and motivated.

But that's not all. We are also calling for proposals from those of you who wish to share your expertise. Whether it's through a presentation, workshop, or discussion, your contributions are vital to advancing equity-driven change in education. We are looking for proposals that promote equity-minded pedagogical practices, advance institutional capacity for equity-driven change, and foster collaborative action for racial equity and justice.

This symposium is a collaborative effort between the Student Equity and Achievement Workgroup and the Faculty Center at Coastline and DEIAA District Pilot Group, It is a district-wide event, and we welcome participation from across the region. Your involvement will help us create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all our students.

Join us on this important journey. Let's come together to learn, share, and inspire each other. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to equity and excellence in education.

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!

The 2025 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-California Academic Team has been announced, and two Coastline College students, Yvonne Su and Alicia Olivares, have been selected for this prestigious honor. The Community College League of California recognizes these distinguished students for their outstanding academic achievements, leadership, and service.

PTK, an international honor society established in 1918, celebrates the academic excellence of community college students and provides opportunities for leadership and professional growth. The All-California Team is part of PTK’s statewide recognition program, building on the success of the national All-USA Team.

Each year, outstanding students from California’s 116 community colleges are selected based on their academic performance, leadership, and contributions to their communities. The All-California First, Second, and Third Teams will be officially announced in mid-April.

“The hard work and dedication of these students demonstrates their academic excellence, making them a symbol of hope for the future and the success of our community colleges,” said Dr. Larry Galizio, President and CEO of the Community College League of California.

As part of this honor, Su and Olivares will receive medallions and certificates in recognition of their achievements. Coastline College congratulates them on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates their contributions to academic excellence and service.

Recently, Professor Angela Gomez Holbrook and Zoe Seals, a Fountain Valley High School dual enrollment instructor for Digital Media Design 116/120, led students on an exclusive tour of Disney/Marvel Studios in Burbank.

The visit provided insight into career pathways in the entertainment industry, featuring presentations on labor market trends and behind-the-scenes production processes. A highlight of the tour was handling authentic Marvel props from the latest Captain America blockbuster.

Students also explored sound engineering, filming, and color-editing while engaging with industry professionals who shared their experiences. The immersive experience left students inspired to pursue their own Hollywood dreams.

Golden West College will host a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing event on Friday, April 18 recognizing a partnership between the GWC and California State University, Fullerton that gives students an admissions advantage compared to general or local Grade Point Average (GPA) thresholds.

The Coast Community College District Board of Trustees previously ratified the MOU at a board meeting on January 15.

The signing event will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the Student Services Center Lobby and will include Coast District Chancellor Whitney Yamamura, GWC President Meridith Randall and CSUF President Ronald Rochon, as well as executive leaders from both campuses.

The MOU is valid until Fall 2028 and creates a guaranteed path to transfer for GWC students who have a minimum 2.8 transferable GPA. Students who take part in the Transfer Success Pathway (TSP) program also will have access to support services that will help them transition successfully to Cal State Fullerton, including welcome events, workshops, transfer signing days, and specialized campus tours.

“We are thrilled to announce this guaranteed transfer agreement MOU, which opens a clear and seamless pathway for our students to continue their academic journeys at Cal State Fullerton,” says President Randall. “This partnership reflects GWC’s and CSUF’s shared commitment to empowering students with opportunities for growth, success and achieving their educational goals.”

Orange Coast College welcomes Dr. Heather Dy as its new Dean of the Math and Sciences Division. She replaces Dr. Tara Giblin, who now serves as the College’s Vice President of Instruction.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Heather Dy to Orange Coast College,” says OCC President Dr. Angelica Suarez. “Her extensive experience will be invaluable in supporting student success and educational excellence. With her vision and dedication, we are confident that our students will continue to thrive.”

Dr. Dy joins OCC from Long Beach City College, where she served as a professor and held numerous leadership roles, including faculty professional development coordinator, guided pathways coordinator, and department head. During her tenue, she was the 2022 award recipient for Inspiring Women of LBCC.

“I am so excited to have Dr. Dy join the OCC team, her commitment to students in the classroom and her involvement as a faculty in a variety of leadership roles at Long Beach City College are a great foundation to prepare her to advocate for her faculty, staff and programs in Math and Sciences,” says Vice President of Instruction Dr. Tara Giblin.

Dr. Dy will be at the helm of a robust division at OCC that includes the College's astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, environmental science and ecology, geology, horticulture, marine science, mathematics, natural sciences, and physics programs. The Math Center, MESA, and the OCC Planetarium are also under her purview.

“I am honored to join the Math and Science faculty and staff at Orange Coast College,” says Dr. Dy. “I was drawn to OCC because of their state-of-the-art programs and outstanding faculty and staff. I look forward to continuing the student-centered work that OCC is known for.”

Dr. Dy holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Science in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles, and a doctorate in higher education from Azusa Pacific University.

Chancellor, Week of March 17

Dr. Yamamura is in the District Monday through Friday.