Week of February 5, 2024

Hi Clovis Fam,

Hope you all had a relatively dry weekend, and that you and your family were able to spend time together and enjoy each other.

As usual, my week started on Saturday. In the evening, I attended the 2024 African American Historical and Cultural Museum Award Banquet honoring local Trailblazers. CCC sponsored a table and seated with me were faculty, classified professionals, a student, and community leaders. As mentioned last week, Bonnie told me on Thursday that I was a speaker. So, bless her, she obtained the script, and Dr. Goldsmith and I presented together to honor and celebrate the late Museum Founder, Jack Kelley. Jack and SCCCD have a long history of working collaboratively to preserve African American’s history, culture, and contributions to the Central Valley. Jack was an unwavering advocate for higher education and vocational training. After retiring from the Fresno Police Department, he joined SCCCD and was a recruiter and educator for the Fresno Police Training Academy, creating a new path for men and women of color to build meaningful, successful careers in law enforcement. It was great to see everyone, especially our students, who were inspired by all the great people who were recognized as trailblazers, Here is a list of those honored in addition to Jack Kelley: Debbie Darden, Paul Forté, Jr., Robert Golden, Staci Jones, Pastor and First Lady Chester and Janetta McGensy, Yolanda Moore, Brenda Starks, Dorthy Thomas, Des Washington, and George Wilson, Jr.

On Sunday, since I missed church last week due to traveling to Sacramento for a morning meeting, I gladly joined my congregation for communion. I then had dinner with friends and enjoyed time walking in the rain with Jade.

On Monday, I had the Presidents Council and we just prepared for the Chancellor’s Cabinet. At Chancellor’s Cabinet, since Dr. Goldsmith and the Trustees were in Washington D. C. lobbying, the meeting was led by Interim Vice Chancellor Andy Dunn. The meeting only lasted 45 minutes and we spent most of the time going over the KPI presentation for next week. On Monday I sent out the update regarding the Interim Dean position. I ended my day by attending the Clovis City Council meeting.

On Tuesday, I started my morning at the Fresno Convention Center where I served on a speaking panel for the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools - 17th Annual African American Student Leadership Council. The speaking topic was “We Stand on the Shoulders of Giants”. There were 1100 high school students in attendance and the room was full. They honored the following Giants: The Honorable Dorthy “ Dottie “ Smith and the Honorable Dezie Woods-Jones with the 2024 Legacy of Excellence Trailblazer Awards. I served on the panel with Dr. Lataria Hall, Vice President of Student Affairs, FCC; Dr Kent Willis, VP for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Fresno State University; and Dr. Andre’ Stephens, President of Fresno Pacific University. We talked about how we were able to overcome barriers to success and how we in our current role do our part to make education attainable for all. We talked about what each of our colleges does to create a welcoming environment and the things we do to work together to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to get an education.

I came back to campus and did an impromptu interview with the FUSD newspaper. They were interested in my comments at the student leadership conference. In the afternoon, I had my orientation with the FCCMA Board. I was appointed to the CMAC Board last semester by the City of Clovis. Since the Board only meets 2 times per year, it was important that I received my orientation before the March meeting. We talked about how the organization was established back in 2009 and how it is structured to serve and train community members. I ended my day by having a meeting with the Global Economic Group to discuss community-based bridge programs for underserved youth and looking at grant opportunities and programs in mentoring, financial literacy, and work expectations.

On Wednesday, I spent most of the day in preparation for the KPI presentations and reports.

On Thursday, I was the keynote speaker at the Aging Network Fashion Show. I was there with Stephanie Babb, student ambassadors Sela Patillo, and Jadah Wren (Crush). Crush was a big hit! Crush was also introduced to Shannon Majors from Senator Shannon Grove’s Office. Networking opportunity as Crush is a Political Science Major. I also made some funding connections which is always a plus. In the afternoon, I reviewed the information from the Interim Dean selection process. I want to thank all of you for your input on both the selection as well as the process. Please know that I will take all of your comments under advisement. I also understand that this process is different from what many of you have experienced and with respect for confidentiality, I will use your input to continue to improve this process for Clovis. I ended my day with a statewide California Community College Black CEO Retreat planning meeting.

On Friday I spent the first part of the day at the Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative ESC Retreat at the Chaffey Zoo. I ended my day by returning to campus to attend the State Student Senate meeting which was hosted at CCC. In addition to all the state student trustees, we also hosted Chancellor Clark of West Hills, a faculty senate group, and the California Community College League.

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the campus field trip to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in Tulare County.

As always, I wish you all a wonderful and safe weekend. Please enjoy your family and friends. For those of you who are celebrating the life of a lost loved one, please know that my heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

In service,

Kim E. Armstrong, Ph.D.