Week of July 8, 2024

Hi Fam,

As you see, this time I didn’t say “Clovis Fam.” You are just that important to me and I realized that I consider you as family. I cried on Wednesday night as I thought about leaving you, even if it is just for a season. Even though I will absolutely be back in January, it seems sooooo long. You have touched my very soul with your deep love for our students and the simple way that you show you care for me and each other. You have touched my very soul with the way that you stand up, and fight for what you feel is important and right. You use your voice even when you’re the only one in that space. I am again tearing up as I write this week’s reflection. My emotions are high and I am in a space of deep humility at this moment. Allow me to take a pause…

I cried during the Board meeting when they acknowledged my leaving when I left Arkansas. I had been there 8 years. I got caught off guard when the tears started coming and I could not stop them. But I was coming to my dream job. Every day, I look forward to coming to work. I get to be here to serve you. I get to be here to empower you. I get to be here to challenge you and take advantage of your incredible intellectual capital that I have grown to absolutely depend, expect, and look forward to. My goal is for you to know who you are so regardless of whomever sits in the President’s seat will always be reminded that they work for you and our students. You make me proud.

Today, you will be challenged to keep all that we’ve worked to instill in you as your collective and singular voices will need to continue to be outspoken. I had thought that I was preparing you for a time after I retired, I never thought that this would be the situation where I would be separated from you so soon. I was again surprised when I found myself tearing up as I reflected on leaving you. Please know that I have absolute faith in you to carry on without me. I know that Dr. Monica Chahal will steer this incredible ship well with the help of each and every one of you. It is with this knowledge that I have peace in knowing that this is the right decision at this time. Thank you for making this easier for me. Now if ya’ll had been a hot mess… !!!!!!!!!! LOL

Dr Pimentel just called to congratulate me and to give me condolences. My email and phone have been blowing up. FCC is being so very gracious in welcoming me. They are all being so kind in helping me find red clothes. Please know that FCC may get my brain, but Clovis will forever have my heart. You have endeared yourselves to me and for that, I am forever thankful. Note: Dr. Pimentel didn’t come to our home games, but during soccer season, James, Jake, and all of our students, I will be there and I expect you better beat our FCC butts.

I think I will go in reverse order this week on what I did.

Friday, I started my day by hosting a very important meeting at the Herndon Campus to inform you of the outcome of the VPSS search. I also informed you that due to processes with the Personnel Commission, I was not able to inform you of any updates to the VPAS position as I had hoped. I also informed you of my being appointed as the Acting President for Fresno City College and I also told you that The Chancellor was sending out a communication to the District and a Press release at 9 am today. I requested that I be allowed to tell you before you heard it from the email or anyone else. That was why poor Bonnie had to send an updated meeting notification when I had just had her send one out for Monday to talk about the personnel updates about the VPSS and VPAS hires.

After my announcement, Lorrie and I came to the Willow Campus to look for new placements for our “ DEIA flags.” We have had a couple to catch wind currents and bring poles down. The DO suggested that we place the flags on different poles. This is an opportunity to put new poles up in other strategic places. I also scheduled several community meetings due to not having access to my office. I had a meeting with Global Economy regarding partnerships.

On Thursday, I had the honor of talking to the PODER and CAPP high school students. Nate, Stephanie, and Gabby asked me to talk to them about my journey. I was there talking to the students the entire time. They asked really great and fun questions because I told them that I would be an open book and would answer anything. They asked about my research and my journey: What was hardest about college? What was my favorite color? What was my most embarrassing moment? Asked me to tell them a joke? I was impressed that they felt empowered to ask several questions of all types. I told them that I would answer anything, and I did. These young people are continued evidence that our future is bright and that they will be incredible leaders as they were not only confident and bright, but they were also well-rounded and self-assured. Later that evening one of the students saw me at Von’s and came up to talk to me. I told them that I go to Walmart and that if they see me come up and say “hi.” He did but he said this was not Walmart. I said Touche. I love these kids.

I then had a meeting with Johnathan and Shannon from the District, as well as Sergio, Kira, Lorrie, James S., James O., Orlando, and people from Sunset Landscaping to seriously discuss the condition of the soccer field and the needs of our soccer students in regards to morale and safety. We talked about timelines for partial and complete repairs, timelines and opportunities to improve communication to assure future mobility of upkeep, and maintenance of the soccer field for this and future seasons.

I was very thankful and encouraged by this meeting as I feel all parties were able to discuss their needs and insights into the issues with the soccer field. I am confident that we will be better positioned for the future care of the soccer field by engaging in this collaborative conversation. All parties were heard and the needs of our students were heard. Thank you everyone. I gave outcomes and the next steps to ensure continual process improvements and communication.

Then, I had a call with Vice Chancellor Julianna about personnel commission hiring processes for the VPAS position.

On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to walk around AC2 and talk to people about the delay in the official campus closing email and to provide updates on the hiring of the VPSS and VPAS positions. I explained to them the timelines and the process of reviewing and reading all of the comments from the forum, waiting for references to return calls, and going off the grid to check references. After, I met with Angelia, Outreach Specialist from the Fresno Center and we talked about expanding our partnership as they have a need to provide more services and activities for the African American community. Before I left for the Soroptimist meeting, I received a call from the Chancellor letting me know of the appointment to FCC.

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of being able to spend time with the new and returning Student Ambassadors. We have an incredible group of young people currently being trained to serve as ambassadors. I enjoyed learning what their career choices were and spending time getting to know them. I ended my day spending time with Nate and Clark-Lauren who met with me and a prospective student who was the granddaughter of someone I met while out and about in the community. She wants to study biology and become a doctor. I had the pleasure of watching firsthand how Nate and Clark-Lauren work together to provide support and resources for this student to excel. The wrap-around and holistic support that I got to watch them provide made me proud. This is the Clovis Spirit that I’ve come to respect and expect in everyone and all things here.

Monday, I did not have President’s Council but we had an early Cabinet meeting where we talked about having a DO Managers meeting on August 9th regarding the importance of abiding by and understanding the laws around free speech on college campuses. This additional training is to protect colleges against increasing challenges with regard to free speech and to provide tools to everyone on how to navigate when free speech rights are being challenged. It appears that there is growing concern and attacks on free speech in campus libraries.

We ended the day with a 4 hour Title IX training. We compared the 2020 requirements to the brand new 2024 requirement which will come into effect on August 1, 2024. Although I have served as the Title IX Coordinator from 2011 -2022 ( right before I came here), it was nice to have the official ATIXA training on the new regulations and to have the Presidents, Chancellor, VPs, and VCs made aware that the Title IX Coordinator has the authority in this space. As with some other federal regulations, there is the requirement of confidentiality and that means the President and VPs and others outside of the Title IX Coordinator may not be privy to the information. This is one of the strict regulations enforced by the Office of Civil Rights ( OCR). I enjoyed watching others try to explain to the expert why they should be told and she kept telling them that it was the sole responsibility of the Title IX Coordinator. Please note that we will have Title IX training on Opening Day to provide everyone with the new 2024 regulations. You will be required to sign in as proof that the training was received. We will also follow the requirements that all students must also be trained in the Title IX regulations and the college should maintain documentation that each student was trained. Renee did a fabulous job and I am looking forward to her providing the training to everyone attending Opening Day.

Well, everyone, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Please get a lot of rest. I have given you a lot this week, more than usual. I apologize for not being able to be available to you to talk due to the Willow campus being closed today, but I will be available to talk next week.

Please stay cool, hydrated, and safe. I look forward to seeing you next week.

Always proud to be in your service,

Kim E. Armstrong, Ph.D.