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:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar
Facebook: @palomardrstar

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

• Attended the Educational & Facilities Vision Plan Coordinators meeting where the Task Force continues to review the 2035 Educational Vision Plan’s Goals and Objectives.
• Attended several Women’s History Month workshops.
• Attended the Palomar Black Faculty and Staff Association/Umoja leadership meeting.
• Met with Executive Council leadership.
• Met with Professional Development leadership.
• Met with Palomar Faculty Federation leadership.
• Met with the provisional trustee appointment ad-hoc committee.
• Co-facilitated, along with Cheryl Kearse, the bi-monthly College Council meeting.
• Facilitated the Pre-Board Agenda Review.

Community Engagement

• Attended the SDICCCA (San Diego Imperial Counties Community College Association) Alliance Meeting which included a special Strong Workforce Session that focused on data-driven outcomes, along with an emphasis on innovation. Thank you, Trustee Roberto Rodriguez, for representing Palomar during the Trustee Board Alliance portion of the meeting.
• Spoke at the CalRTA (California Retired Teachers Association) Division 63 Luncheon. It was great to see some of our former faculty members and to have the opportunity to share all the amazing happenings at Palomar College. A special thank you to retiree Cynthia Poole for the lovely invite.
• Met with NCCHC (the National Community College Hispanic Council) to plan for the Annual Leadership Symposium in September. NCCHC has been working to advance the number of Hispanics/Latinos in leadership positions in community colleges. I am proud to be on the Board of NCCHC, and I am happy to represent Palomar on the national stage.
• Attended the Community College League of California’s 2023 CEO Symposium. I love learning, and strategizing, with other like-minded and well-intentioned system leaders on how to best meet the needs of the 300,000 California Community College students we serve. The CEO Symposium is the annual convening of California Community College Chancellors, Superintendents/Presidents, and Campus Presidents from across the state. The conference was held in San Diego from Thursday-Sunday.
• Represented Palomar College, along with Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction- Dr. Tina Recalde and Foundation Executive Director-Stacy Rungaitis, at the 2023 TrueCare Fundraiser. It is always wonderful to support the great work our community partners are doing in the region. TrueCare is one of the largest healthcare providers in the San Diego and Riverside Counties.
• Continued 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 greatly benefit Palomar through our own accreditation process.

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

• One of the most notable figures in disability rights history, Judith “Judy” Heumann, passed away on March 4. To learn more about her impact and incredible life, you can read this New York Times article or watch the Netflix documentary on YouTube (free access) to learn more about this incredible activist.
• We have two exciting workshops, by two renowned experts, one day only. Attorney Paul Grossman and Jamie Axelrod will present on Monday, April 17, information to help participants discover the evolution of the disability rights movement, gain information to be a disability ally on campus, and 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.
• What is Access & Equity Hour? Please join the Disability Resource Center in learning new ways to become Disability Allies at Palomar College. During the weekly workshop, they explore how disability fits into the DEIAA framework, how support services around campus can aid in better access for all students, how faculty design accessibility into their courses and teaching philosophies, and they aim to promote a deeper understanding of some of the intersectional identities of our students to better foster a sense of belonging for all at Palomar. These workshops take place every Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., on Zoom (Zoom ID: 849 9512 3146). Please register today! The full spring program can be found in the PD Portal.
• Also, please register for the Disabled Student Experience Panel scheduled on April 14^th,12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.  The flyer can be found here.

Comets Doing Great Things

• Dr. Nora Kenney-Whitley has been named the 2023 Palomar College Woman of the Year! Dr. Kenney-Whitley was nominated by colleagues who specifically noted her outstanding work on behalf of our Rising Scholars/Transitions program students. She was recognized for her unwavering commitment to Palomar’s DEIAA efforts, and for empowering other women at our campus and region. The Empowered Women Alliance at Palomar College continues to celebrate sisterhood, womanhood, activism, and social justice. Dr. Nora will be honored at the Inaugural Empowered Women Alliance celebration on March 23 at 4pm in LRC-438. Please register to join the amazing celebration of the women in our Palomar community. Here is the flyer for the event.
• Congratulations Barbara Baer, PFF Co-President and Part-Time faculty in Economics, and Jenny Fererro, PFF Lead Negotiator and Full-Time faculty in Child Development. The California Federation of Teachers selected Barbara and Jenny as the 2023 co-recipients of the 2023 Women in Education Award. Each year, the California Federation of Teachers recognizes leaders for promoting the rights of women and issues of gender equity within the educational workplace. They have been selected because of their steadfast dedication to pursuing parity in health care coverage for part-time faculty. The push for equity in health care for part-time faculty ensures access to high-quality health care which helps keep families and our community healthy. Barbara and Jenny will be honored at the CFT convention in San Francisco later this month.
• Congratulations to Journalism Professor Erin Hiro on the General Excellence award for Palomar’s Impact Magazine received this weekend at the Journalism Conference in San Francisco.

Comets of the Week

The Comets of the Week are the Women’s Basketball student-athletes and coaches. This team had an unbelievable season under the fantastic leadership of Head Coach Leigh Marshall and coaching staff Chris Kroesch, Damian Cephas, and Kailey Rowan. Although their season ended on Saturday night with a heartbreaking 1 point loss in the semi-final game of the State Championship, it does not take away from the team’s incredible achievements this season! They ended with a 30-1 season, 14-0 in PCAC play for a conference championship title, and earned a trip to the State Final Four. We are proud of you, thank you for the phenomenal games, and can’t wait to watch what next season brings!

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar
Facebook: @palomardrstar

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

• Attended the official Welcome Ceremony for our new Assistant Superintendents/Vice Presidents Todd McDonald and Tina Recalde. They have been with us just a little over a month and their positive impact is already being felt. A special thank you to Monica Galindo, Kelly Miller, Heather Sutton, Anna Hilton, and our Palomar Foundation for organizing and sponsoring the event.
• Attended the Special Governing Board meeting. At this meeting, the Governing Board finalized the provisional trustee application process and timeline. The Governing Board is seeking a Provisional Trustee for Area 2 to complete the term left vacant by Christian Garcia, who resigned to begin his appointment at the City of Escondido City Council. You can find more details on the Trustee Area 2 Provisional Trustee Candidate Information webpage.
• Attended the Palomar College Black Faculty & Staff Association/UMOJA Fundraiser event at the Mesa Rim North City Climbing Center. It was wonderful to see so many colleagues come out to support the culminating event of our Black History Month celebration. I cannot say enough about the quality of programming our campus was able to experience this month thanks to the outstanding efforts of PBFSA and UMOJA.
• Hosted an Executive President’s Cabinet meeting that focused on the process for handling Incident Reports. We all appreciated hearing about the timely response, and person-centered approach, our Student of Concern team demonstrates when working to keep our campus community as safe as possible.

Community Engagement

• Met with Marine Corps University representatives as they visited our San Marcos Campus. This was their first time seeing the campus in-person since our partnership began in 2020. James Cohn (Dean of Academics) and Troy Morton (Associate Dean of Academics) from the College of Enlisted Military Education & Marine Corps Senior Enlisted Academy at Marine Corps University in Quantico, VA attended. James and Troy have been staunch supporters of our Military Leadership Program and the work we are doing at Palomar to support the military community beyond their active-duty service. The meeting focused on providing program updates, discussing outreach/retention efforts, reviewing enrollment and completion statistics, and discussing action plans for further development/expansion of our program. Thank you Victoria (Tory) Hanes, Nichol Roe, Tina Recalde, Diane Studinka, Christine (Tina) Barlolong, Jason Jarvinen, and Candace Rose for making this successful visit possible.
• Visited Classical Academy High School in Escondido for a Q&A with students in their Student Leadership Program. We discussed effective leadership traits and the importance of a college education. It is always a pleasure to connect with local college-bound students. Thank you Mr. Jonathan Sonoda for inviting me to visit!
• Attended the Puente Conference in Riverside. The conference celebrated Puente’s 40-year anniversary of supporting the mission to increase the number of educationally underrepresented students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities from a community college. The Puente Project is a national award-winning program that has improved the college-going rate of tens of thousands of California’s educationally underrepresented students since 1981. Thank you, Cynthia Cordova and Michael Lundell, for also representing Palomar College at the conference.

Comets Doing Great Things

• During the monthly Leadership Meeting, the various Vice Presidents provided general updates from their areas. Also, Professional Development Coordinator, Matt Grills conducted a leadership workshop to make participants more aware of how the PD Office can support their training efforts via the PD Portal and other tools such as live trainings and/or Micro Trainings.
• The Counseling Department’s annual High School Counselor Conference featured Palomar’s Career Technical and Extended Education programs and shared important updates and information regarding how we support new high school students during their onboarding and registration. Close to 90 high school counselors were in attendance, and 100% of those who were surveyed would recommend the conference to a colleague. Several attendees also informed staff that they felt welcomed and felt as though this was the best High School Counselor Conference Palomar has hosted. This event couldn’t have been possible without Dr. Glyn Bongolan’s incredible coordination and leadership skills. I also want to thank the countless individuals it took to make this event a success Adrianne Lee, Anita Talone, Arianna Lopez, Ashley Wolters, Benjamin (Jamie) Moss, Brittany Wong, Christine Winterle, David Meske, David Miller, Deanna Shoop, Debra Avila, Jacob Shiba, Jason Jarvinen, Jennifer Finn, Joe Ledesma, Jordan Clarke, Jose Ramirez, Karmi Flores, Leslie Salas, Lizette Echavarria, Lorena Lomeli-Hixon, Luz Barragan, Mark Bealo, Melissa Allen, Michael Andrews, Michael Gomez, Mireya Gutierrez-Aguero, Nancy Browne, Nichol Roe, Norma Villa Cortez, P.J. DeMaris, Riham Mathieu, Rita Campo Griggs, Rosalinda Tovar, Sergio Hernandez, Shauna Moriarty, Steven Salter, Susan Wyche, Tony Quiroz, and Trong Nguyen
• Palomar College was well represented at Vista High School’s 2023 Futures Fair. This was the school’s largest campus-wide fair that included colleges, local companies, career speakers, employers, volunteer opportunities, and many other services. It was intended for students to begin exploring college careers and other professional pathways. Four-year public and private colleges, community colleges, technical institutes, vocational schools, military, and​ apprenticeships​ were present. Palomar’s S.T.A.R. Tutoring, Outreach Services, EOPS, and Palomar Promise were all represented. The feedback I received was extremely positive!. Thank you Leti Murillo for sending me the great pictures, and a special note of gratitude to all who are supporting our enrollment recovery efforts!

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

• Our campus has many wonderful events planned to celebrate Women’s History Month. There will be film screenings, panel discussions, demonstrations, and many other activities. Please view the calendar at this link. We look forward to the educational, insightful, and uplifting events planned for our community.
• Palomar College was also well represented at the 16^th Annual African American Male Education Network & Development (A2MEND) Summit in Los Angeles. Our delegation included students from UMOJA and Puente, and faculty and administrators as well. The summit’s theme was based around the Resurrection of Black Male Success in community colleges and in the community.
• March is Irish American Heritage Month, zoom backgrounds can be downloaded here: https://www.palomar.edu/deiaa/deiaaevents/
• I would like to also announce the upcoming Disabled Student Experience Panel scheduled for Friday, April 14^th. I attended this event last semester and was moved by the student speakers. So, I wanted to announce it as soon as possible so you could get it on your calendar because the student panelists are always incredible! It will take place via Zoom. Click here for a link to the flyer where you can sign up on the PD Portal.

Comets of the Week

This week we have 3 Comets of the week. Colleagues of Robert Sedillo, Palomar’s Infrastructure Systems Administrator, wanted him to be recognized for his outstanding work! I was told Robert has been instrumental in fine-tuning Palomar’s emergency notification system. He was our lead in troubleshooting challenges as they were identified and happily took on the training of colleagues as needed. Robert’s commitment to the health and safety of our students and employees throughout the district is exemplary!

Dr. Shauna Moriarty reached out to me and shared a student-centered feel-good story that highlights our next two Comets of the Week. This last week a student, who uses a walker, informed the DRC that he was stuck outside the SSC building, and that he needed support with fixing his wheel that had become bent. The DRC called for assistance and Officer Delaney and Tyrone Davis, from Facilities, arrived to assist. Tyrone assessed the broken walker, removed the twisted wheel, straightened out the bent bolt, and patiently replaced it rendering the walker useful again. Tyrone performed the repair with patience, steadfast expertise, humility, and confidence. Officer Delaney stayed the entire time to lend support and to ensure the student was supported through the ordeal. In the end, the student was able to make it home safely and expressed immense appreciation for all involved. Nice job Palomar heroes!

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar
Facebook: @palomardrstar

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

• Held my monthly meetings with the Professional Development Team (PD), the Palomar Faculty Federation (PFF), the Council of Classified Employees (CCE), the Administrative Association (AA) and the Confidential and Supervisory Team (CAST). These meetings are always informative and productive.
• Visited our nursing students on their first day of phlebotomy labs. Thank you, Professor Monique Lineback and Professor Estella Morgan for inviting me to the class.
• Hosted my monthly President’s Open Office Hours.
• Attended the always informative Access and Equity Hour hosted by the Disability Resource Center (DRC). At this week’s event, the DRC demonstrated the importance of accessible educational material. Thank you to presenters Crystal Velasco and Sarah Baker from the ATC who walked us through live demonstrations.
• Attended the Associated Student Government’s (ASG) Spring Retreat. I always enjoy supporting ASG’s leadership development efforts. We have an incredible set of colleagues who love what they do. It is evident by the intentionality and effort they put forth in giving our student leaders amazing growth opportunities. Thank you, Sherry Titus, Pippa Pierce, Kimberly Rocca, and Amaris Gonzalez for inviting me to speak to our student leaders.
• Attended several Black History Month Workshops. This week’s presentation included one by our new faculty member Sherehe Hollins. This workshop was entitled “De la Misma Raíz: From the Same Root.” The presentation focused on the pre-Columbian African presence in America, Africa’s influence in Spain, colonialism in New Spain and its effects on the formation of a Mexican identity.
• Attended the Palomar Women’s Basketball playoff game against Rio Hondo. The Comets had a strong win (79-49). A big congratulations to our phenomenal student-athletes, Head Coach Leigh Marshall, Assistant Coach Chris Kroesch, Assistant Coach Damian Cephas, and Kailey Rowan.

Community Engagement

• Attended the Community College League of California’s 2023 Government Relations Webinar with Trustee Roberto Rodriguez and Trustee Jacqueline Kaiser. This meeting addressed important information regarding legislation and proposals discussed in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. that will impact Palomar College.
• Attended Orientation for the Wheelhouse Institute. I am honored to be one of thirteen CEOs selected for this Fellowship. The 2023 UC Davis Wheelhouse Center for Community College Leadership and Research is dedicated to developing leadership skills specific to the role of the Community College CEO. I am excited to spend my Spring Break at UC Davis this upcoming March!
• Presented to students of the C2C Pathways (Clubhouse-to-College/Career) program at the Boys and Girls Club of San Marcos. C2C Pathways is a workforce readiness program that equips teens with soft and hard skills related to S.T.E.A.M. professions.
• Attended the 2023 North County Apprenticeships & Vocational Training Expo. At this event, I had the opportunity to speak with potential students and representatives from apprenticeship programs across the County. We had over 380 high school students from over 30 schools attend this event! A very big thank you to all who made this event a success!
• Attended the Black/African American Community Advisory Council Meeting. At this meeting, co-facilitator Cheryl Kearse, CDO Carmelino Cruz and others in attendance learned a great deal from our community partners about how Palomar College can better serve the needs of potential, and existing, Black/African American students and employees.
• Greeted La Costa Glen retirees on a tour of our incredible Palomar College Library/Learning Resource Center. It was wonderful to show them some of the beautiful sweeping views from the 4th floor. One of the retirees was a former MiraCosta college governing board trustee and a former community college president from Hawaii. Thank you, Dennis Astl, for always being a great Palomar tour guide!
• Met with Congressman Scott Peters and staffers to show them some our amazing facilities and programs. Thank you, Dean Susan Wyche, VPI Tina Recalde, PIO Julie Lanthier Bandy, faculty member Sergio Hernandez, and faculty member Georg Kast who gave him a great tour!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Update

• Next month is Women’s History Month! Our campus has many events planned for the entire month of March. There will be film screenings, panel discussions, demonstrations, and many other types of activities. Please view the calendar at this link. I highly encourage everyone to support and attend these events. We are very excited about these educational, insightful, and uplifting events planned for our Palomar community.

Upcoming Event

• Please consider attending the culmination of our Black History Month workshops by supporting the BBQ fundraiser taking place this Tuesday, February 28^th from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Mesa Rim Climbing Center. For more information please visit the PBFSA website here.
• Please join the formal Welcome Event for our new Assistant Superintendents/Vice Presidents Drs. Todd McDonald and Tina Recalde this Wednesday, March 1^st at 1:00. For more information please access the flyer here. They have been with us for a little over a month, and we are very excited to give them a warm Comet Family welcome.

Comet of the Week

The Comet of the Week is Norma Villa Cortez from Workforce, Community, and Continuing Education (WCCE)! She was nominated by Associate Dean, Nichol Roe. Nichol noted, “Over the last few months, Norma had been collaborating with the San Diego County Office of Education to host an Apprenticeship Expo at Palomar College. Initially, they had plans to host the Expo under the clock tower and give campus tours to high school students. Unfortunately, with a 90% chance of rain and 300 high school student RSVPs, we did not have an indoor space on campus big enough to accommodate. We were minutes away from canceling the whole thing when Norma’s quick thinking and ‘can-do’ attitude made it happen. The event was a HUGE success! Over 30 apprenticeship vendors tabled alongside Palomar’s Outreach team and Work Experience faculty, and over 380 high school students, from roughly 25 different high schools, attended the Expo. Thank you, Norma, for making this awesome event possible!”

As you may recall, last week’s Comet of the Week was Linda Morrow from the Library and Learning Resource Center. Librarian Morrow reached out to me and let me know that it takes a team of librarians, and library staff, to put together these beautiful displays throughout the year at all our library locations. She wanted to make sure that her display teammates received proper credit. Therefore, this week we recognize (from the San Marcos campus) Alexandra Doyle Bauer, Mihail Cuibus, Lisa Franson, Victoria Ganguli, and Sylvia Contreras (from the Rancho Bernardo Education Center) Tamara Weintraub and Monica Diego-Schmidt (from the Escondido Education Center) Katy Farrell and Emilce Sirkin and (from the Fallbrook Education Center) Timothy Martin. Thank you all for putting together these fantastic, educational, and inspiring displays for our entire Palomar College community to enjoy!

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar
Facebook: @palomardrstar

I hope this update finds everyone in good spirits, and well rested after the Presidents’ holiday, 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

• Started off my Valentine’s Day with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at their Donuts & Disability Celebration event. It is always a pleasure to mingle with our wonderful-caring DRC employees and amazing DRC students to spread disability awareness!
• Attended the monthly Budget Committee meeting. During this meeting, the committee reviewed the 311 Q2 report. The committee also went over the January budget proposal and reviewed the budget process calendar. Thank you, VP Todd McDonald, Director Nancy Lane, and Professor Barbara Baer, for leading this meeting.
• Attended the Regular Governing Board meeting. Highlights of the meeting include the Governing Board deciding to fill the vacancy left by former Trustee Christian Garcia with a Provisional Appointment rather than a Special Election. We will be opening the application process soon. Also, at this meeting our new Student Equity and Achievement Plan was approved by the board, and we had a great presentation on our District’s ongoing safety efforts. A special thank you to our PFF and CCE colleagues who provided all in attendance with Valentine’s Day pizza and cookies.

Community Engagement

• Attended the Community College League of California’s CEO Webinar. This webinar focused on CCLC’s legislative and financial priorities for 2023. With the Governor’s release of his 2023-24 budget, a pending FON audit, numerous significant pieces of legislation, and the implementation of various legislative initiatives from previous sessions, it was important to discuss and learn about how these changes will affect California’s community college system.

Educational and Facilities Vision Plan 2035

• This past week the Education and Facilities Vision Planning Task Force held a meeting at the Fallbrook Education Center. The Task Force toured the center and received an overview of the planned “Fallbrook 40” building from our architects. Members of the task force discussed the Education Vision Plan’s draft goals, objectives, and programming for the Education Centers. Finally, the District’s planning consultants provided possible strategies and recommendations for the implementation of the plan’s goals and objectives.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Update

• Last week I had the privilege of attending two Black History Month workshops. The first workshop was “Disrupting Racism Through the Lens of the Arts (Part II): From Emancipation to Jim Crow” presented by USC Music Professor Dr. Ronald McCurdy. This workshop was a historical journey that explored how central the arts have been in thwarting racism. The second workshop was “Money Management & Financial Challenges Affecting the Black Community” presented by Felipe Arevalo & Rae Russell from the San Diego Financial Literacy Center. This workshop stressed the importance of money management and financial goal setting. Our Black History Month Workshop series will continue next week. I encourage you to support these efforts. All workshops are available for professional development credit. For more information please visit the PBFSA website here.

Upcoming Event

• Please join me in formally welcoming our new Assistant Superintendents/Vice Presidents Drs. Todd McDonald and Tina Recalde at their official Welcome Ceremony on March 1^st. Click here for the flyer with details. They have been with us for a little over a month, and we are very excited to give them a warm Comet family welcome.

Comet of the Week

The Comet of the Week is Public Services Librarian Linda Morrow! I want to recognize Linda for setting up fantastic heritage month displays throughout the Learning Resource Center (LRC). I encourage everyone to go see the current displays up in honor of Black History Month. It is evident that a lot of love and effort goes into these beautiful displays.

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar
Facebook: @palomardrstar

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

• Attended the on-campus Service Learning Fair where attendees had the opportunity to learn about the many amazing volunteer and service job opportunities. More than 15+ non-profit organizations shared Service Learning information with our Palomar College community. A note of appreciation for Service Learning Coordinators, Dr. Angela Kong and Gina Wilson, for making this opportunity possible for our campus community.
• Attended the Educational & Facilities Vision Plan Coordinators meeting where we continue to discuss our long-term development plans for our 2035 curriculum and facilities plan.
• Attended the Rancho Penasquitos Adobe Bicentennial Celebration, which featured a fabulous presentation that showcased archaeological findings from the adobe uncovered by our students and professors. Palomar’s archaeology program has offered an excavation class at this very site for the past 13 years. As always, I am proud of the work done in this department and of the award-winning research our students are conducting in the field. Thank you, Elizabeth (Betsy) Pain and James Eighmey, for always representing Palomar college in the most positive way. Also, thank you to VPI Tina Recalde who made the effort to attend the Saturday event and support our program.

Community Engagement

• Attended a team training workshop led and organized by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). I am excited that I will be serving as a vice-chair for an upcoming accreditation visit. At this workshop, I learned a great deal about the preparation process for the accreditation visiting team. This information is extremely beneficial for how to support our own pre-accreditation process. As you know, an institution’s accreditation status is paramount because it enables the college to qualify for federal grants and contracts, distribute federal financial aid to students, and for students’ credits to be accepted by other institutions.
• Attended the San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association’s (SDICCCA) Annual Trustee Dinner and Fundraiser. Thank you to Trustee Roberto Rodriguez, Trustee Judy Patacsil, Trustee Michelle Rains, VPI Tina Recalde, PIO Julie Lanthier Bandy, and EA Kelly Miller for representing Palomar College.
• Attended, along with several other Community College Presidents in the region, the San Diego Chinese Women’s Association (SDCWA) Scholarship Fundraising dinner. I look forward to continuing to foster these types of relationships in the community to support, and benefit, our own Asian Pacific Islander campus community.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Updates and News

• Spend Valentine’s Day with the DRC! Grab a donut, drink some coffee, and mingle with the Access & Inclusion Committee and DRC students and staff. The event will be from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, Tuesday, February 14^th (outside of the DRC Building).
• Our Black History Month Workshops, that span the entire month of February, have started! I encourage you to please support these efforts, and all workshops are available for professional development credit. For more information visit the PBFSA website here.

Educational & Facilities Vision Plan 2035

• The Educational and Facilities Planning Task Force will meet this Thursday at the Fallbrook Education Center. The Task Force is scheduled to review the Education Vision Plan’s draft goals and objectives and to tour the Fallbrook Education Center.  As always you can follow the work of the Task Force by visiting our webpage here

Upcoming Items of Interest

• As noted last week, our former Governing Board President, Christian Garcia (trustee area 2) was appointed to the Escondido City Council and as a result the Governing Board will need to decide to either fill the vacancy with a provisional appointment or through a special election. Plans on how we will move forward will be discussed at this upcoming Regular Governing Board meeting (Tuesday, February 14^th). I will be sure to report next week on what was decided.
• An Emergency Lockdown Drill is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15^th.  The drill will occur once in the morning and once in the evening. Please read the training document and be prepared to participate in the mandatory drill. In advance of the drill, all supervisors should review the information with employees. Faculty who are providing onsite instruction on Wednesdays are asked to review and prepare students for the drill. For any questions, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Department.

Comets of the Week

The Comets of the Week are members of the fantastic athletic academic support trio consisting of Melissa Allen, Amber Slivick, and Gina Medina. We appreciate the countless hours they spend helping our student-athletes achieve and maintain stellar academic standing. They were specifically selected because this year Palomar College has 42 Academic All-State Nominees (with 3 multi-sport athletes qualifying in both of their sports). For student-athletes to be nominated they are required to earn a 3.5+ GPA in 24+ units starting in their first season of competition. I thank these 3 outstanding employees (and the professors and coaches) who worked to ensure this type of success. Your care for your students is evident in these incredible results!

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar
Facebook: @palomardrstar

We are looking forward to the many exciting opportunities that await us this semester! I hope this update finds everyone in good spirits as we head into the second week of the new semester. Below is a brief recap of my Campus and Community Engagements from the previous week and some notable ones that took place over the break.

Campus Engagement

• Congratulations to our Governing Board President, Christian Garcia (area 2) who was appointed to the Escondido City Council this past week. This means we will have to seat a new board member within the next 60 days. Plans on how we will move forward will be discussed at the February 14^th Regular Governing Board meeting. Wishing you the best of luck, and we thank you for your service, Councilmember Garcia!
• Attended the January Regular Governing Board Meeting and Special Governing Board Workshop where the District’s budget was reviewed, and an overview of the Board’s 2022-2023 goals was conducted.
• Attended the Governing Board’s Spring 2023 Retreat where new trustee onboarding took place, the Brown Act was reviewed, and an overview of our District’s governance was provided.
• Attended a preview screening of Palomar College TV’s new film, Almost Home: Life After Incarceration at the Howard Brubeck Theater. The subject of this documentary is about the lives of some of our formerly incarcerated students and their academic experiences at Palomar College. It was both heartwarming and uplifting to see the stories of these students represented, and shared, through this powerful film. I am very proud of the students, our employees that support the program, and the documentary filmmakers who did an excellent job telling the compelling story. This film is a reminder that Palomar’s doors are open to all students. A campuswide screening will take place later in the semester.
• Attended the Diversity Equity, and Inclusion Speaker Series event with Dr. Gina Ann Garcia. Dr. Garcia challenged us to examine what our designation of being a Hispanic Serving Institution means and asked us to reflect on how we can better serve our close to 50% Hispanic/Latino student population.
• Presented at the Spring 2023 Flex Week General Session where Campus Leadership provided general institutional updates. Throughout the presentation of general institutional updates there was a specific focus on our efforts to support becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution. It is events such as this that help us to remain focused on our institution’s approach/commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Competencies and Criteria Recommendations. You can find detailed recommendations with descriptions in each area here.

Community Engagement

• Attended the Effective Trusteeship & Board Chair Workshop with our Governing Board Members (Kaiser, Patacsil, Rains, Rodriguez) and PIO Julie Lanthier Bandy. This conference was hosted by the Community College League of California in Sacramento. At this conference, state leaders and experienced trustees provided comprehensive training on how to become an effective trustee.
• Attended the Annual Legislative Conference hosted by the Community College League of California in Sacramento. This annual conference provides the opportunity for California Community College leaders to connect and meet with members of the California State Legislature to advocate for the needs of the community college system.
• Attended the first inaugural San Marcos Unified School District’s Rising Stars Program event. It was hosted by the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and the Palomar College Foundation. Students from San Marcos High School, Twin Oaks High School, and Mission Hills High School were recognized for their outstanding achievement. Several dignitaries were in attendance including Mayor Rebecca Jones.
• Participated in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Downtown San Diego. Thank you to all the students, employees, and friends who came out to represent Palomar and to show their gratitude for the incredible work Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. accomplished during his lifetime.
• Attended the North San Diego County NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Solidarity and Service” Community Breakfast. A special note of appreciation to the North San Diego County Promise for the generous invitation. I love the progressive social justice work happening in North County and I am proud that Palomar College is part of the conversation and the good work happening.
• Presented at the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Carlsbad- Oceanside-Vista Chapter to talk about the amazing opportunities we have at Palomar College. AAUW has been advocating for the advancement of education for women over the past 100 years.
• Met with CSU, San Marcos President Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, and MiraCosta College President Dr. Sunita Cooke to discuss how our colleges can work together to strengthen our tri-campus alliance.
• Met with Bob Deegan, former President of Palomar College, to learn more about our rich institutional history.
• Attended the San Diego & Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA) Board Alliance Meeting.
• Met with the Board of Directors of the National Community College Hispanic Council.

Educational & Facilities Vision Plan 2035

Attended several meetings dedicated to developing our 2035 Educational & Facilities Vision Plan. The Educational and Facilities Planning Task Force held two workshops in January to bring together what we have learned through our internal and external scans and to develop goals and objectives for the 2035 Educational Vision Plan. As we begin to consider our facilities plan, the Task Force toured the Rancho Bernardo and Escondido Education Centers and will hold the February meeting at the Fallbrook Center.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Upcoming Events

The Palomar Black Faculty and Staff Association hosted the Black History Month (BHM) Fair on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, to help kick-off a month-long commemoration of Black History. Please support other BHM Workshops that will be offered throughout the entire month of February. We are excited about the educational, insightful, and uplifting workshops planned for our Palomar students, employees, and community. For more information visit the PBFSA website here.

Comet of the Week

The Comet of the Week is Dean Patricia Menchaca! Dean Menchaca’s peers asked me to share the following, “Dean Patricia Menchaca is an outstanding leader, often shining as a beacon of stability in an otherwise turbulent, ever-changing time. This was especially evident during the roughest part of the pandemic in which the capabilities that the MSE division had in meeting student needs was largely due to the sound advice and wise future insight that Dean Menchaca possesses. On several occasions, her foresight stayed us from potential supply disasters and allowed us to keep classes going! She has always been an incredible listener with a dedication and focus towards supporting the MSE division to its fullest, with a sage usage of grace but also necessary fortitude to press into anticipated resistances where needed. It is a pleasure and honor to work alongside such a resourceful, resilient leader whose attention to detail and to her division’s personnel has allowed us to put our own best feet forward.”

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar
Facebook: @palomardrstar

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

Campus Engagement

• Attended a Budget Committee Meeting where we discussed the status of the current budget for the remaining academic year.
• Attended the Governing Board’s Annual Organizational Meeting. At this meeting, newly elected members of the board were sworn in, Jacqueline Kaiser, Michelle Rains, and Dr. Judy Patacsil. Trustee Christian Garcia was selected as the new Board President, Trustee Roberto Rodriguez remains as the Vice President, and new trustee Dr. Judy Patacsil will serve as the Secretary of the Board. Regular Governing Board meetings will be held on the 2^nd Tuesday of every month at 4:00 pm.
• Visited our glass blowing program’s special event where I met famous artists Einar and Jamex De La Torre who gave a demonstration of their glass-making process. Thank you, Professor Michael Hernandez, for inviting me to this very special event. The demonstration was fascinating! The De La Torre Brothers are border artists whose work reflects, and interprets, a broad range of historical and contemporary sociopolitical issues. Their work incorporates the icons and imagery of pre-Columbian art, mass consumerism, and a unique distillation of their experiences living on both sides of the border. Their work is found in major museum collections and public art installations around the world and can be seen at the newly opened Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture at the Riverside Art Museum.
• Attended the morning kickoff for the California Urban Wood Academy Conference hosted at our San Marcos campus this year. The participants were key government and industry leaders from all over the nation who utilize urban and reclaimed woods to create eco-friendly consumer products. I was happy to make brief welcoming remarks alongside acting Vice President of Instruction Diane Studinka and Dean Susan Wyche. A special note of appreciation to Instructor Jennifer Anderson and Georg Kast from our Cabinet and Furniture Technology Program, for inviting me.
• Attended the American Welding Society’s (San Diego Chapter) meeting held on our San Marcos campus. At this meeting, industry leaders gave presentations on new welding technologies. Thank you, Instructors Kevin Powers and Ashley Wolters for the fantastic tour of the facilities.
• Attended the Educational and Facilities Planning Task Force meeting where we reviewed campuswide survey results.
• Attended the Noche de Cultura event. I was amazed by all the fantastic performances! We have such artistically talented and creative students and employees. Thank you to all who helped make this evening a success.
• Held my monthly President’s Open Office Hours where I had the opportunity to meet with several campus and community members in a 1 on 1 setting.
• Attended the Fall 2022 Nurse Pinning Ceremony. These events are always moving, and I appreciate all the work that goes into making this a special event for our graduates and their guests. Great job nursing department!
• Attended the Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee (ICOC) meeting where we discussed the current status of the district’s Prop M projects.

Community Engagement

• Attended the President’s Associates Annual Gathering hosted by the Palomar College Foundation. We had over 60 community members in attendance. A special thank you to Executive Director Stacy Rungaitis, our Foundation staff, and Kaiser Permanente for sponsoring the event. Also, a big congratulations to Will Rivera who was inducted as the 2023-2024 Chair of the Board. For those unaware, the Palomar College Foundation provides student emergency grants, scholarships, and faculty grants to enhance the educational experiences of students.
• Attended the San Marcos Chamber’s VIP Reception for Mayor Rebecca Jones. We are very happy that she will continue to serve in this role, and we appreciate that she has always been a great supporter of Palomar College.
• Attended the San Diego North Economic Development Council’s Awards Luncheon with the Palomar College Foundation. It was very nice to introduce our new Palomar College Trustee (area 1) Dr. Judy Patacsil to our North County partners. Thank you to all the Palomar representatives who were in attendance.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Upcoming Events

• Please, “save the date” for Palomar’s Social Justice Community Festival on Friday, January 27^th, 2023, led and hosted by Palomar’s Educators for Equity, Diversity, and Cultural Consciousness (EEDCC). EEDCC intends to create an inclusive, engaging, and joyous exploration of areas that will help transform our college, and further prioritize our DEIAA efforts in our community.
• On Wednesday, January 25^th, leading Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) Scholar Dr. Gina Garcia will be coming to our campus to lead the HyFlex event: “Transforming Hispanic-Serving Institutions for Equity and Justice.” This event will discuss what makes Hispanic-Serving Institutions uniquely Latinx, and how college leaders, faculty, and staff can transform these institutions into spaces that promote racial equity, social justice, and collective liberation. Please register in advance for this important HyFlex event.

Important Technology Update

Unfortunately, due to recently updated authentication requirements enforced by Microsoft, the College’s Cisco Unity phone system is no longer capable of forwarding voicemail notifications and transcripts to Outlook email inboxes. Voicemail messages are still going to, and can be listened to, on-campus phones. However, all related content is no longer being sent to Outlook. Please note our Information Services department is working diligently to fully understand the details of this security change and to find a resolution. In the meantime, the following workarounds are currently available:  Forward all calls to an alternate or personal phone number (if working remotely). Forward calls to Microsoft Teams, where the voicemail notifications are working, and messages can be listened to within the App. We apologize for this inconvenience, and we will continue to work with our vendors in seeking a resolution to this problem as quickly as possible.

Comets of the Week

The Comets of the Week are our employees who serve Palomar’s Camp Pendleton Site (CPPEN): Ryan Williams, Aaron Sifferman, and Yvette Maynard. Ryan Williams, as the Education Center Director, coordinates all the services at Camp Pendleton. Aaron Sifferman, the Camp Pendleton Site Specialist, is there every day helping sometimes up to 10+ students simultaneously. Yvette Maynard, the Senior Education Center Coordinator for Fallbrook and CPPEN, always goes out of her way to volunteer to help students. I thank these three outstanding employees for their hard work and strong commitment to our Camp Pendleton students!

Season’s Greetings

Education is the key to countless pathways. As we enter a new year, we have an opportunity to reflect on our many achievements and to look forward to a promising future before us. At Palomar College, our success is driven by our incredible students, classified professionals, faculty, and administrators! For this, the governing board and I are extremely grateful for your dedication and service! May you enjoy a healthy, peaceful, and happy holiday season! Go Comets!

Please note, in observance of the holiday season, the district will be closed from Wednesday, December 21^st, 2022 through Monday, January 2^nd, 2023.

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar

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

• Attended Trustee Mark Evilsizer’s recognition event where we celebrated his 20 years of service on the Palomar College Governing Board. We were honored to be joined by former Palomar College President Bob Deegan and many other special guests who attended the event to thank Trustee Evilsizer and wish him the best in retirement. We also recognized Trustee Kartik Raju, and Trustee Norma Miyamoto during the regular governing board meeting for their dedicated service. These 3 amazing individuals were instrumental in propelling our District forward and positioning us well for the future! We wish them all the very best. They will be missed!
• Attended the Regular December Governing Board Meeting.
• Attended the Educational & Facilities Vision Plan Coordinators Meeting.
• Facilitated monthly CCE Leadership Meeting.
• Facilitated monthly PFF Leadership Meeting.
• Facilitated an extended College Council Meeting where one of the items discussed was the District’s new Student Equity and Achievement (SEA) plan.
• Attended the last Orientation and New Faculty Workshop of the semester. A special thank you to Professor Luis Guerrero and Matt Grills for their leadership in helping to onboard our new faculty in this year-long program.
• Attended the Research Methods Poster Fair. I was extremely impressed by the level of research our students are conducting. A special note of gratitude to faculty members Betsi Little, Kristin Peviani, and Netta Schroer for leading this incredible work!
• Attended the closing reception of the faculty art and photography exhibition “RIPE” at the Boehm Gallery. As always, I was very impressed by the creativity and innovation of our faculty.
• Attended a fashion show in the Library/Learning Resource Center. Thank you, Professor Rita Campo Griggs, for the invitation. I enjoyed meeting many of the students in the program and the amazing faculty who teach them. Our students are fortunate to benefit from such industry talent!

Community Engagement

• Attended the monthly San Diego & Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association (SDICCCA) Meeting. At these meetings, current issues facing the local community colleges in the region are discussed. This month’s meeting focused on Strong Workforce Initiatives.
• Attended A Step Beyond’s student ballet performance of El Alebrije. Over 150 local students performed a reimagined version of the classic Nutcracker ballet influenced by Mexican culture. I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors as a representative of Palomar College, and I am excited to support future local Palomar College students.
• Participated in an interview with the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Alumni magazine. It was great to reminisce about my positive educational experience at CSUSM and to discuss the importance the community college system played in my own educational journey. The article is set to be published next March.
• Highlighted in the San Diego Business Journal’s annual San Diego’s Most Influential People in San Diego 2022. I am honored to be included in the education section, along with several other College Presidents in the region. The work we do here at Palomar College is a collaborative effort, so this acknowledgement is all ours. I feel fortunate to work with so many dedicated colleagues that continue to guide our students on their path to success.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Updates and News

• On Friday, December 9, the College Council approved the revisions to the AP7120 Recruitment and Hiring document. Some of these revisions demonstrate our ongoing, action-oriented commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility.
• Noche de Cultura is happening on Thursday, December 15 at the Student Union! Noche de Cultura is a night to share your culture through artistic expression: song, dance, poetry, theatre, comedy, music, and much more. Refreshments will start at 5:00 p.m. and performances at 6:00 p.m. It is not too late to sign up! Click here to sign up to perform. Here is a link to the flyer for the event.
• The Palomar Black Faculty and Staff Association (PBFSA) is currently planning its third annual Black History Month Celebration. PBFSA is adopting the ASALH theme – Black Resistance: Celebrating Our Triumphs, Successes, and Progress. This is a call to everyone, inside and outside the academy, to study the history of Black Americans’ responses to establish safe spaces, where Black life can be sustained, fortified, and respected. Please note, there are several ways to partner with PBFSA next year. First, is the Black History Month Fair on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our Palomar College community and share about your organization, department, or club. To reserve a booth, please fill out the BHM Fair Sign-Up by Monday, January 9, 2023. Secondly, PBFSA is hosting its third annual Black History Month Workshop Series for the entire month of February 2023. If you have an area of research, professional development, or general topic of interest that you would be willing to present on, or if you know of any community members who would be interested in presenting, please fill out this form.

Educational and Facilities Vision Plan 2035 Update

The Educational and Facilities Vision Task Force will meet next week to discuss the results of the vision/listening sessions and the campuswide survey. In January, the Task Force will come together over two days to engage in workshops where we consider the goals for the educational long-range plan. As the Task Force continues its work into the Spring, we are currently setting up a time for members to visit the centers. Please note, all agendas and presentations to date made during the Task Force meetings are posted on the Vision Plan website which can be accessed here.

Comet of the Week

The Comet of the Week is Ryan Bulis, Director of the Boehm Gallery. Ryan’s work this year with the Faculty Art Exhibition was exceptional, and I appreciate the time he took to show me other pieces that are unique to Palomar College’s collection. I can’t wait to see what the Boehm Gallery has in store for us in the coming year!

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar

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

• Attended this year’s Tarde de Familia event hosted by the Association of Latinos and Allies for Student Success (ALASS). The goal of this event is to outreach to the local community, inspire potential students, and to raise awareness about the programs we offer at Palomar College. Thank you ALASS for all you do to make this event a success. I would also like to thank Trustee Christian Garcia and Trustee Roberto Rodriguez for their attendance at the event.
• Met with Palomar Black Faculty and Staff Association (PBFSA) members this week to assess our progress on our stated goals for the district.
• Visited two classrooms this week to see our wonderful faculty in action and to connect with students. Thank you, Professors Barbara Baer and Brittany Wong, for the invitations!

Community Engagement

• Met with California Senator Brian Jones (40th district) who visited our campus last week. He spoke with students and staff and was able to see the great work we are doing here at Palomar. He made a positive impression on all of us, and we thank Senator Jones, for visiting our campus! I would also like to thank Trustee Kartik Raju and Trustee Mark Evilsizer for joining the meeting.
• Participated in the Lake San Marcos Kiwanis Club 25^th Annual Holiday Parade. I was honored to be a part of the parade’s dignitary lineup! Thank you to the Kiwanis Club for inviting me to be a part of this fun-filled parade.
• Co-Facilitated, along with Cheryl Kearse, the Black/African American Community Advisory Council Meeting.
• Attended ACCJC training as I prepare to serve as a Vice Chair on an Accreditation team in 2023.

Upcoming Events and Campus News

• Palomar College Team Life is excited to announce guided Arboretum Walks! These walks will be held on the first Wednesday of every month from 12:15 p.m.-12:45 p.m. Tony Rangel the Arboretum President will be your guide. The first walk will be on December 7, and everyone will meet up at the Clock Tower.
• Palomar Performing Arts will be presenting The Gods of Comedy by playwright Ken Ludwig which will be playing December 2 – December 11. Performances will be on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Palomar College Studio Theatre on the campus. The production is directed by Michael Mufson. The play follows a young theatre scholar who calls on the gods of Ancient Greece to save her career and love life—but it’s not the gods of love who show up to help. Director Mufson stated, “Creating this show has been pure joy for me and the cast. We are thrilled with the big moments of physical comedy and have been surprised to discover little philosophical gems hidden within the zany lunacy.” You can buy tickets here.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Updates and News

• Noche de Cultura is coming up on Thursday, December 15th. It is an opportunity for you to showcase and share your culture through music, dance, poetry, comedy, and much more. Those interested in preforming must sign up by December 5th. Here is a link to the flyer with more information.

Educational and Facilities Vision Plan Update

The Educational and Facilities Vision Plan Task Force will meet this month on December 15^th. During this meeting, the Task Force will engage in a review of the themes identified in the listening sessions and the results of the campus-wide survey. Just a reminder, if you are interested in learning more about the progress we are making on our Vision Plan, please check out our Vision Plan 2035 webpage here.

Hiring Updates

Pending Governing Board approval on December 6, Dr. Tina Recalde will join Palomar College as our Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction, and Dr. Todd McDonald, will serve as our Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Fiscal and Administrative Services. Dr. Recalde comes to Palomar by way of San Diego Mesa College. She has over 25 years of experience working in California Community Colleges as an administrator, faculty member, and classified professional with a demonstrated ability in leading academic and workforce training programs. Dr. McDonald will join us from the Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District. He has more than 31 years of fiscal and administrative leadership experience, including budget development and management, compliance and risk management, facilities and construction oversight, and auxiliary service management. I am looking forward to working with both of our new leaders as we continue to achieve our goals and objectives.

Comet of the Week

The Comet of the Week is Stacy Rungaitis, Executive Director of the Palomar College Foundation for her incredible leadership in the Giving Tuesday fundraiser. This year’s Giving Tuesday raised a record breaking ninety-two thousand dollars! Because of Stacy’s hard work and leadership, we will be able to say ‘yes’ to more students who need extra financial support to stay in school. Stacy has led the Palomar College Foundation as the Executive Director since 2017 and currently serves on Executive Cabinet.

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

For pictures of the various events, follow:
Twitter: @palomardrstar
Instagram: @palomardrstar