Week of September 9, 2024

Hello, Colleagues!

Achieving the Dream (AtD)

We are beginning our journey down the Achieving the Dream (AtD) path. You will recall from previous communication that this opportunity is jointly funded by the Kresge Foundation and SCCCD.

Achieving the Dream is a national non-profit organization that has created a large network of community colleges working to become strong engines of student and community growth. Achieving the Dream believes that access to a high-quality education in an inclusive environment is the right of all individuals and imperative for the continued advancement of a strong democracy and workforce. Achieving the Dream is a catalyst for providing ways for colleges to strengthen and build their capacity to ensure that more students complete their college education and have more opportunity for economic success. The goals of Achieving the Dream are to help more students earn degrees, complete certificates, or transfer to other institutions.

AtD has the reputation for being the gold standard for providing resources for community colleges to not only address systemic equity, but also providing trainings and resources to make a difference and move the needle toward success for all of our students. One of the resources AtD provides institutions is with a Data Coach to help determine which data best identifies our unique story. This is an excellent opportunity for our college, and I hope you will participate and provide valuable perspective as we look for ways to improve upon the ways in which we already serve our students and our communities.

Last week, Gurdeep Hébert, Teresa Mendes, and I met with our Coaches, Dr. Greg Hodges and Dr. Miguel Ceja. We are now preparing for an in-person visit next week that will span two days. Gurdeep, Teresa, and I have built in opportunities for staff from all facets of the college to participate, and I hope you will join where/when you can according to the schedule provided below. If you are unable to join the groups as scheduled below, you will have an opportunity to provide feedback via survey at a later date.

Monica Chahal, Ed.D.