Week of January 20, 2025

Good morning, colleagues.

I hope you all enjoyed a smooth and productive first week of the spring semester. It is wonderful to have the college back up and running as usual again with lots of activity on campus.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Bonnie Boonthavongkham on being recognized as the Classified Senate's 1st annual GEM (Going the Extra Mile) awardee and to Shawn Jones on being recognized as the Academic Senate's annual TnT awardee!

Congratulations to Caryss Johnson Franklin, who has been identified by the Black Educator Excellence (BEE) Awards Planning Committee as one of the top three nominees for the Classified Professional of the Year in the 2025 Black Educator Excellence (BEE) Awards.

Upcoming Campus Events

If you haven't already signed up, please do so for one of two scheduled collegewide strategic planning work sessions on January 31. Here is the link to rsvp: Strategic Planning Workshop. We need and appreciate your participation!

Additionally, on January 30-31, Achieving the Dream coaches, Dr. Greg Hodges and Dr. Migual Ceja, will be visiting our campus and meeting with constituent groups. ATD materials and resources are available here: CCC ATD. Here's a brief list of planned activities for their visit:

  • The Core and Data Teams will review updated Early Momentum Metrics at their meetings.
  • Drs. Hodges and Ceja will host an open office hour on January 30 from 2:00-3:00 PM in AC3-256. All campus employees are invited to join our coaches to ask questions and share ideas. We will send out a reminder closer to the date.
  • The coaches will also join us for our Strategic Planning Workshops on Friday, January 31st.

Support for Vulnerable Students

I recognize that some staff and students may be experiencing concern or anxiety right now. I write again to affirm my and our institution's commitment to the well-being and education of all our students, including our undocumented students, our students of the LGBTQ+ community, and any staff and students feeling vulnerable at this time. I want to thank all who have continued to provide our current and prospective students with factual information and continued to support and reassure our most vulnerable populations.

Our college will abide by the commitment to support undocumented students as outlined in SCCCD Resolution 2024.62 Support of Undocumented Students (attached) and approved at the November 12 SCCCD Board meeting. Also attached is a fact sheet with information on FERPA that can be used in your work with students. Here are additional resources for you as well as students and prospective students needing access to resources for the undocumented:

  1. CCC Dreamers' Resources
    Red Cards are available on campus. Call Counseling for more information: 559-325-5230.
  2. SCCCD Undocumented Student Resources
  3. Counselors Carla Stoner (carla.stoner@cloviscollege.edu) and Nancy Chavero (nancy.chavero@cloviscollege.edu) are available to meet/talk with students.

We value the educational experiences and rights of all our students. We acknowledge the continued right of all our students to pursue their educational goals in an environment in which they feel safe and supported. I thank you in advance for your help in sharing this message with all.

Finally, to show your support, feel free to print and use the attached We Support You flyer and consider wearing Dreamers apparel this week.

Thank you,

Monica Chahal, Ed.D. (she/her)