I hope this update finds everyone in good spirits as we head into the new week. Below is a brief recap of my Campus and Community Engagement activities from the previous week.

Campus Engagement

• Met with Palomar Faculty Federation leadership.
• Met with Faculty Senate leadership.
• Hosted an Executive President’s Cabinet meeting.
• Hosted a President’s Cabinet meeting.
• Hosted President’s Open Office Hours.
• Attended the Budget Committee meeting.
• Attended the Regular Monthly Governing Board Meeting.
• Attended our Palomar Performing Arts Department’s outstanding performance of Rent. Congratulations to Director Michael Mufson, Choreographer Molly Faulkner, Set Designer Tony Cucuzzella, Music Director Lyndon Pugeda, and the entire cast and crew for producing such a wonderful show!
• Attended a Women’s History Month workshop entitled, “An Introduction to Period Poverty.” This workshop was presented by students from the That’s On Period Club. Thank you Dr. Leanne Maunu for facilitating the presentation and providing guidance to our student presenters.
• Attended the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC) meeting. At this meeting, the external Prop M Audit Report was reviewed, a status update on our Prop M construction projects was provided, and an update on our Bond Expenditures took place.
• Attended the Educational and Facilities Vision Planning Task Force meeting.

Community Engagement

• Represented Palomar College at the MAAC Project/Latino Film Festival event to support our current, and potential, community partnerships.
• Continue to serve as the Vice Chair for an ACCJC accreditation visit. I am excited to be of service to another institution while learning nuanced skills that will benefit Palomar through our own accreditation cycle.

Comets Doing Great Things
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Palomar’s Case Study Challenge entry, “The Benefits of Nostalgia: Interacting with Experiences and Items that Connect Us to Our Past,” has been selected as one of the three Honorable Mentions for Phi Theta Kappa’s 2023 Catalyst event. They will also be featured in the PTK Parade of Scholars. Congratulations PTK students and advisors Dr. Dana O’Callaghan and Jennifer Backman.

Educational and Facilities Vision Plan Update
The Educational and Facilities Vision Plan Task Force met on Thursday, March 16^th. The Task Force reviewed and refined the Educational Vision Plan’s goals and objectives. Members of the task force also reviewed enrollment goals and projections and discussed the focus of our Education Centers. The Task Force will continue to reflect on the unique role of each center as it works to complete the Educational Vision Plan. Beginning in April, the Task Force will then begin focusing on the Facilities’ Vision Plan by examining linkages between the Educational Vision Plan’s goals and objectives and our facilities.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Upcoming Events and News

• This past Friday, Palomar was represented by Acting VPHR Christine Winterle, PD Coordinator Matt Grills, and Acting Chief Diversity Officer Carmelino Cruz at the Equal Employment Opportunity Southern CA Promising Practices Showcase. This event centered on learning about institutions statewide that are leading the system with innovative EEO strategies that can be scaled systemwide. They also shared some of the Palomar events that have allowed us to build a campus culture that puts students first and provides a framework for the student experience and gives purpose to our DEIAA principles and values. Additionally, they gathered ideas from other Southern California colleagues on best practices that we can engage locally.
• The Women’s History Month workshop series is still going strong. Please support these efforts by attending. Here is the calendar link to view the remaining events.
• We have two exciting workshops coming up next month by two renowned experts. Attorney Paul Grossman and Jamie Axelrod will present on Monday, April 17^th, information to help participants discover the evolution of the disability rights movement, gain information on being a disability ally, and will learn about rights and responsibilities under disability laws. You can either participate in-person (LRC 438) or via Zoom. Here is the flyer to sign up.
• Also, please register for the Disabled Student Experience Panel scheduled on April 14^th, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Here is the  flyer to sign up.

Comets of the Week
The Comets of the Week are Faculty Coordinators, Dr. Angela Kong and Gina Wilson from our Service Learning Office. Angela and Gina have been doing great work with the Service Learning Program. The program seeks to provide active, service-focused, community-based, learning opportunities for students. These opportunities are designed to build and enhance students’ commitment to academics, personal and professional development, and civic responsibility. Service Learning, under their leadership, has been growing at Palomar College. Last fall, approximately 194 students completed 5,357 service hours with 22 professors in our local community. The most recent Service Learning Student Survey found that students stated that Service Learning increased their appreciation for community involvement and helping others, increased their knowledge about working with diverse communities, and helped them clarify future career interests/goals. Thank you for all you do on behalf of students!

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
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