On Veterans Day, Thursday, November 11, we will join our nation in honoring our military veterans. We are incredibly fortunate to be one of the largest military serving community colleges in California. Our ability to serve veterans, active-duty military, and their dependents is a point of pride for our institution. November 11th is an opportunity to reflect, honor, and give thanks to all who have served to benefit our country and secure our freedom.
Also, in honor of Veterans Day, the Disability Resource Center and Veterans Resource Center will be hosting a special guest speaker, USMC Master Sergeant (Retired) Bruce Thompson. Bruce retired from the Marine Corps after 24 years. Master Sergeant Thompson has dedicated his post-military career to working with active duty, transitioning service members, veterans, and military families across the country. As a service-connected veteran Bruce encourages his fellow veterans and allies in the community to discuss difficult topics effecting the military community (military sexual trauma, mental health, veteran homelessness, and under/unemployment). We hope you will be able to join the workshop on Tuesday, November 9, from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Please use this Registration Link.
Our Athletics Department hosted a Military Appreciation event during last night’s football game against Mt. San Antonio. All members of the military enjoyed the game for free. Matthew Lybarger, a student and classified employee who recently returned from active duty, did the coin toss at the beginning of the game. He was joined on the field by Trustee Christian Garcia, Veterans Supervisor Jessica Horn, and Veterans Director Adrianne Lee. A big thank you to our Athletic Director, Dan Lynds, for having the foresight to provide this type of acknowledgement for our military veterans.
The Week in Review
Campus Engagement
On Tuesday, our Governing Board, voted to approve resolution No. 21-21613 in support of Pride month in June and the flying of the Progress Pride flag. You can view the resolution here. This resolution was made possible through a collaboration of our dedicated faculty leaders, Jenny Fererro, Ben Mudgett, and Dr. Abbie Cory. The Governing Board also approved the COVID-19 Stipend program for employees. Earlier this week, VP Montoya distributed this memo providing all the details. The memo has been posted to the Employee Communications Library on the COVID-19 website as well. There is no paperwork required to receive the stipends. All three of the stipends are one-time payments and will be paid through direct deposit on December 3, 2021.
Our Fiscal Monitor, Ken Stoppenbrink, issued his report for the month of October to the Chancellor’s Office. You can view the report on our website.
On Wednesday evening, I enjoyed watching our talented wrestling team take on Cerritos College. I was very impressed by the athleticism displayed by our Comet wrestlers. I also had the good fortune of formally meeting former Palomar Coach and Athletic Director, John Woods. His name is synonymous with California Community College Athletics. After retiring from Palomar, he went on to become the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference Commissioner, helping to expand educational opportunities for thousands of student-athletes.
I also held my monthly President’s Open Office Hours and met with several departments and employees from across the campus. The meetings were held both virtually and in person. I always enjoy making these personal connections and learning about the outstanding work we are engaged in at Palomar. I also held a special listening session with the Police Department. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many of our police officers are graduates from our very own police academy. I learned a great deal about operations, the numerous activities they engage in to keep our campus community safe, and their extensive community-building outreach efforts.
On Thursday, I enjoyed the weekly performing arts concert hour via zoom. This week’s featured artist was the San Diego based pianist, Ed Kornhauser, who played as part of a trio. The music was exceptional as always.
I ended the week with attending the final book club meeting of Becoming Hispanic Serving Institutions. The book club discussions have been informative and thought-provoking. They have proven to be an effective way to engage with colleagues, and to share ideas, across campus constituents. I am impressed that the discussions have utilized Puente Pedagogy. This format has allowed space for all voices to be heard and valued- including student voices. I am also grateful that there is a collective desire by the group to provide the college with concrete action items that can be implemented immediately. Thank you to all who participated and to faculty members Cynthia Cordova, Eduardo Aguilar, and Dr. Hossna Sadat Ahadi for their leadership in bringing this wonderful opportunity to our campus community.
Similarly, our dedicated Anthropology/Archaeology faculty shared their thoughts and ideas during our meeting and tour of the department. I was fortunate to get a “behind the scenes” look at the anthropology department with faculty members James Eighmey and Elizabeth (Betsy) Pain. I was able to observe instruction, speak with students in the program, and visit labs. I learned that the program has been in existence for over 45 years, and that we are one of the few colleges that offer hands-on field experience for students. I was also impressed to see the ample research, and publishing, opportunities we extend to our students.
Please do not forget about the virtual Pack the Pantry campaign to support the Anita and Stan Maag Food & Nutrition Center. You can donate here. Also, please help us to spread the word about the upcoming food distribution event sponsored by the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, PFF, CCE and the Palomar College Foundation on November 20th. Flyers are attached.
Community Engagement
The week began with an opportunity to engage with colleagues from throughout the region at the San Diego Imperial Counties Community College Association (SDICCCA) meeting. We gained insights into the impacts of state and federal legislation and discussed common strategies in place for returning to onsite work throughout the region beginning Spring 2022. Please monitor your email for updates on your own return to campus plan that will be implemented after the winter break.
City of Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara and I were able to connect this past week. We discussed the needs of the city and how our education center in Escondido can increasingly serve the residents of Escondido, including the re-opening of the Ernest J. Allen Library. I also had a productive meeting with San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones. Mayor Jones is one of our biggest fans, as her son graduated from our Fire Academy. We discussed our continued focus to train the region’s future workforce and ideas for strengthening ongoing and future collaborations.
I spoke at the San Marcos Rotary Club meeting this past Thursday. I provided an update on the incredible work we are engaged in at Palomar College. It was nice to see that many meeting attendees were long time supporters of Palomar College and familiar with the educational opportunities we provide to the region. I am looking forward to continuing to foster this long-standing, mutually beneficial, relationship.
COVID-19 Update
This week marks the start of an implementation timeline to begin our return to campus efforts. You most likely recall the development of fall 2021 return to onsite work plans that were finalized last spring. We have once again asked all directors and managers to work with each of the vice presidents to review the previous plans and make required changes, to result in a comprehensive return to onsite work. Our goal is to be able to offer all our services face-to-face beginning January 17, 2022. We will be issuing a follow-up communication in the coming days. If you want to catch up on the COVID-19 health and safety initiatives, please view the recording of the COVID-19 Return to Campus and COVID-19 Update meeting held this past Thursday.
Accreditation
Thank you to the nearly 250 individuals who spent part of their Wednesday morning with us at the All-Campus Accreditation Forum. I appreciate Michelle Barton, Justin Smiley, Jeannette Garceau, Adam Meehan, Marti Snyder, and Rachel Miller for their time in preparing the discussion and sharing the important points of our upcoming accreditation visit. We discussed the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER), accreditation standards and themes, and our new Vision, Mission and Values statements. Our Mission, Vision and Values are at the center of our work. Our Vision, Transforming lives for a better future, is evident in the work we do every day. If you want to catch up on all that was discussed at the forum this past Wednesday, you can do so via this recording. Save the date for the next All-Campus Accreditation Forum on Thursday, December 2. More details to follow.
Comets of the Week
Three of our very talented faculty members, Dr. Abbie Cory, Dr. Hossna Sadat Ahadi, and Jenny Fererro, wrote an article, She, They, He, Us: Transforming Campus Inclusivity Through the Use of Pronouns. It was published in the November issue of the Academic Senate for California Community College (ASCCC) Rostrum. Here is a link to the entire Rostrum issue. The article begins on page 7. Thank you for this important work and for leading our Pronoun Project at Palomar College.
Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!
For pictures of the various events, follow:
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