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

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

• Participated in hiring interviews for both administrative and faculty positions.
• Attended the weekly Executive Special Projects meeting. This week’s meeting focused on our District’s grant process. A special thank you to Grants Manager, Pauline Moroz, who walked us through a series of already instituted improvements and reviewed proposed strategic changes.
• Attended the Educational and Facilities Vision Planning Task Force meeting. During the meeting, the Task Force focused on reviewing and discussing “external scan” data. The data reviewed included adult population estimates and projections, changing student demographics, enrollment flow, and labor market information. From this data, task force members identified salient points to consider as we craft our plan. Next month, the task force will engage in a review of the themes identified in the listening sessions as well as the results of our survey.  I am excited about the progress!

Community Engagement

• Attended the San Marcos Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors meeting.
• Attended the National Community College Hispanic Council’s Board of Directors meeting.
• Attended the Community College League of California’s (CCLC) 2022 Annual Convention. Every year this event brings together CEOs, trustees, administrators, and partners from across the state to share tools, models, and solutions to system issues. This year’s theme was “Our Time is Now.” I am grateful to have been joined by Trustee Mark Evilsizer, Trustee Christian Garcia, Trustee Roberto Rodriguez and Public Information Officer Julie Lanthier Bandy.
• Our very own Trustee Mark Evilsizer was recognized at the CCLC event by the California Association of Latino Community College Trustees and Administrators (CALCCTA) for his years of service to the statewide organization. Please note, a campus event will be held on Tuesday, December 6^th from 3:00 pm- 4:00 pm in  the LRC to formally thank Trustee Evilsizer for his 20 years of dedicated service on Palomar’s Governing Board. Immediately following the recognition will be his last Governing Board meeting.

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

• Palomar is leading Cal Coast Credit Union’s Pack the Pantry Campaign! We have donated the most out of all participating colleges. Go Comets! Here is a link to see our progress. For those unaware, local community colleges throughout San Diego County have partnered with Cal Coast Credit Union, the North County Food Bank, and the San Diego Food Bank for the fourth annual Pack the Pantry food drive. The drive, which runs through November, aims to raise funds to fill college pantries.
• On Wednesday, November 30^th, the Ethnic Studies Department, the Queer Students of Color Club, and the Puente Club are coming together to present a screening of the film Mosquita y Mari. Here is a link to the flyer with more information.
• The Palomar Boehm Art Gallery is hosting its annual Faculty Art and Photography Exhibition from November 17^th until December 7^th. The closing reception will take place on Wednesday, December 7^th from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. Please support our faculty and pay a visit to the gallery!
• Tarde de Familia is coming up on Friday, December 2^nd. The event will be held from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Student Union. Please mark your calendars and spread the word by sharing this flyer. For any questions or for more information on Tarde de Familia, please visit the Association of Latinos and Allies for Student Success (ALASS) website or contact alass@palomar.edu. Thank you for your ongoing support. We hope to see you there.

Educational and Facilities Vision Plan Update

This past week our Educational and Facilities planners were on campus wrapping up their listening/visioning sessions. In total they have completed 71 sessions. We have also closed the Vision Plan 2035 survey. Thank you to everyone who participated in a listening session and/or completed the survey.

Comet of the Week
The Comet of the Week is current Acting Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Diane Studinka. When I am out of town on District business she serves as the Acting Superintendent/President and does an exceptional job. Thank you Diane for always being willing to step in, for keeping me well informed, and for supporting the needs of the institution!

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 the public candidate forums for the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction and Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services. At these forums, the campus community had the opportunity to meet the candidates, learn about their qualifications, and ask questions.
• Attended the National First-Generation Student Day celebration. Despite the rain, it was well attended by students and campus community members. A note of gratitude to all who helped put this event together including Palomar Promise, Palomar Upward Bound, TRiO Student Support Services, and EOPS.
• Attended the Pride Center’s Coffee with a Cop event. At this event, participants had the opportunity to discuss LGBTQIA+ issues with Chief Chris Moore and other police officers. It’s always great to see our Palomar College Police department relationship building with our campus community.
• Attended the Associated Student Government’s Comet Hour.
• Met with Faculty Senate leadership for our monthly one on one meeting.
• Met with PFF leadership for our monthly one on one meeting.
• Attended the Budget Committee meeting where we discussed critical fiscal issues for our college.
• Attended, and provided welcoming remarks, for the Veterans Resource Center’s A Salute to Our Veterans event. This was an incredible event! The Veterans Resource Center did an outstanding job honoring our Veterans and celebrating the Marine Corps 247^th birthday. A special thank you to Supervisor, Jessica Horn, and everyone who help put this outstanding event together.
• Attended the Educational & Facilities Vision Plan Coordinators meeting to discuss the ongoing development of our plan.

Community Engagement

• Attended the San Diego & Imperial Counties Community Colleges Association’s (SDICCCA) monthly board meeting. Chief Executive Officers, Public Information Officers, and Governing Board Members discussed current issues facing the region, provided updates on their respective colleges, reviewed legislative updates, and engaged in collective planning for the 2022-2023 academic year.
• Please note, elections for three of our Palomar Governing Board seats (Areas 1, 4, and 5) took place on Tuesday, November 8^th. Once official election results are available, I will share more information with our campus community.

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

• Two years ago, professors Luis Guerrero and Hossna Sadat Ahadi co-authored the Academic Senate for California Community College’s rostrum article titled, Decolonizing Your Syllabus, an Antiracist Guide for Your College, which has become a nationally recommended article. They have been invited to colleges and universities across the U.S. to share their insight and praxis work as it relates to decolonizing curriculum and pedagogy. On Friday, November 4^th both professors Guerrero and Sadat Ahadi were invited to share their work with faculty in the California Community Colleges’ Open for Antiracism program. Additionally, Professor Guerrero has hosted three antiracism workshops on our campus. Plus, during the summer of 2021, he had a cohort of 40+ faculty go through an enhanced workgroup and created a repository of their final work, the Decolonized Syllabi Repository. This project was funded by Guided Pathways. Thank you, Professors Luis and Hossna for your fantastic work in this area!
• The World Languages Department will be hosting Café International on Tuesday, November 15^th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This is a free ASG-sponsored event, open to all students and employees to celebrate the language programs we offer. Games, food, and music will be part of the celebration. Here is a link to the flyer.
• This year, the Tarde de Familia event will take place on Friday, December 2^nd from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Student Union. Please mark your calendars and spread the word by sharing this flyer. If your department, or program, would like to participate in the Information Fair, please visit TDF Information Fair.xlsx and sign up before November 28^th. The Information Fair will be from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. For any questions, or for more information, on Tarde de Familia please visit the Association of Latinos and Allies for Student Success (ALASS) website or contact alass@palomar.edu. Thank you for your ongoing support of Tarde de Familia. We hope to see you there!

Educational and Facilities Vision Plan Update
This past Thursday, members of the Educational and Facilities Vision Plan (EFVP) Task Force met to further discuss student data. The data reviewed included student enrollment, student demographics, student progress, and student outcomes. This upcoming week the EFVP Task Force will meet again to discuss the makeup of Palomar’s service area and labor market forecast.

If you haven’t done so, please complete the Vision 2035 survey. To respond to the survey, click on the link that was embedded in the email from Palomar College Research on November 10^th. The survey closes on November 17^th, 2022.

Comet of the Week
The Comet of the Week is Karen Mifflin, Assistant Professor of Mathematics. Karen goes above and beyond for her students. Every week she spends several hours in her office tutoring students. She is invested in her students being successful. Colleagues describe her as kind, patient, and extremely supportive. Thank you, Professor Karen, for making such a difference in the lives of students.

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 the Regular November Governing Board Meeting. Meeting highlights included 1) A presentation from the San Marcos Unified School District Superintendent, Dr. Andrew Johnsen, who shared a Portrait of a Graduate Initiative 2) We discussed potential new security enhancements at the Escondido Education Center 3) I was able to share the good news that Palomar College has officially been removed from enhanced fiscal monitoring by our accrediting agency (ACCJC). After two consecutive years of being placed on enhanced fiscal monitoring, we are very excited about the positive change and remain committed to making continual gains in securing Palomar’s fiscal health.
• Joined Palomar College’s Ethnic Studies department at their Día de Los Muertos celebration. Thank you, Professors Alex Gómez and Angelica Yañez, for hosting the various events.
• Attended the State of the Budget meeting where the 311 report was reviewed and discussed.
• Attended the Palomar Puente Club sponsored artist workshop event with Maira Meza (a Puente alum and popular Barrio Logan artist). Puentistas had the opportunity to celebrate Día De Los Muertos through painting.
• Attended the Veteran’s Resource Center Chat & Chow event. During the event, financial aid representatives helped students learn how to apply for Pell grants and other financial aid benefits. A special thank you to Director Adrianne Lee and Supervisor Jessica Horn for working with their teams to make this event a reality.

Community Engagement

• Participated as a panelist at the San Diego Women Connect: Women Leading the Way event. I was able to represent Palomar College and share strategies for being an effective leader. The mission of San Diego Women Connect is to bring women from all career levels together to strengthen their professional networks and to engage them in the San Diego County business community.
• Presented, alongside the San Diego Community College Chancellor Carlos Cortez, at the inaugural statewide CCCOLEGAS Conference. Our workshop discussed the importance of Moving from Cultural Competence to Cultural Proficiency. COLEGAS main mission is to accelerate and advance equity for Latina/o/x community college professionals and students. Over 480 statewide community college leaders and students, including our very own Acting Chief Diversity Officer Carmelino Cruz, attended the event. I look forward to having increased Palomar representation at next year’s conference.
• Attended the California Community College Chancellor’s Office System Webinar. This webinar focused on Student Housing from a systems statewide perspective.

Hiring Updates

• As part of the hiring process, the district will conduct open forums for the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction and Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services positions. At the forums, the campus community will be able to meet the candidates, learn about their qualifications, and ask them questions. The forums will be held in the Governing Board room (LRC-438) and will also be recorded and streamed for those who are unable to attend in person.  We hope you can join us!

Here is the schedule for Tuesday, November 8^th for the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction forum:

Tina Recalde 8:30 am – 9:30 am

Narges Rabii-Rakin 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Andrew MacNeill 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Here is the schedule for Wednesday, November 9^th for the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services forum:

Todd McDonald 9:45 am – 10:45 am

Dennis Curran 11:00 am -12:00 pm

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

• Tuesday, November 8^th, is National First-Generation College Celebration Day, which recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. To celebrate first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni, there will be a special event from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the San Marcos Library/LRC Plaza.
• Veteran’s Day is Friday, November 11^th. Palomar College’s Veteran’s Day celebration will take place Thursday, November 10^th at 11:00 am at the Veteran’s Memorial on the San Marcos campus.

Educational and Facilities Vision Plan Update

There are approximately 550,000 adults who reside in Palomar College’s service area. Over the next few weeks, the Educational and Facilities Planning Task Force will continue to examine data related to these adults. Metrics examined will include population estimates and forecasts, education and income levels, and labor market information. We will use this information to gain an understanding about how our service area is changing, as well as the implications for Palomar as we continue to support the diverse educational needs of our community. Thank you to all who are participating in this effort. We definitely see our Educational and Vision Plan beginning to take form.

Comet of the Week

The Comet of the Week is Veteran Services Supervisor Jessica Horn. She takes her leadership role seriously, and she is always planning special programming that directly benefits our student veterans. Way to go Jessica!

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 a water polo doubleheader! I had the opportunity to watch the women’s water polo team compete and then, immediately following, I watched the men’s water polo team match! What an incredible fast-paced sport. The level of physical strength it takes to play water polo is awe-inspiring. I would like to recognize our wonderful Head Coaches Mandy Simon and Michael Mulvey for their team leadership. A special thank you to Assistant Coach Lucy Gates for the invitation.
• Met with the Confidential and Supervisory Team (CAST) and Administrative Association (AA) leadership for our standing 1:1 meeting. We discussed how our college can make our employees feel more valued, the contract process, handbook updates, and ideas about how to invest in the professional development of our CAST and AA members.
• Attended this week’s College Council Meeting. For this meeting, we covered several topics and spent time discussing the upcoming design for the new Fallbrook Education Center. The College Council is the principal participatory and planning governance body for the College. It provides a forum to review and recommend the direction and focus of the College, consistent with the College’s vision, mission, and values. Thank you to my co-chair Cheryle Kearse for leading the meeting.
• Attended the DRC’s Access and Equity Hour. This week’s event was a faculty spotlight featuring Math Professor, Fari Towfiq. Professor Towfiq provided detailed-effective teaching methods to utilize when working with DRC students.
• Met with Stephanie Wu, Student Trustee for the Governing Board, and Chris Garcia Mendez, President of the Associated Student Government, this week. We discussed current challenges our students are facing, and we discussed potential solutions that we can quickly implement as a district. The student voice is critical, and I always enjoy meeting with these two exceptional leaders.

Community Engagement

• Fox News LOCAList produced a video segment  featuring how Palomar College is combating student food insecurity. Here is the link to the video. It was wonderful to see Palomar College highlighted throughout the county for the incredible work we do at our Anita and Stan Maag Food and Nutrition Center. In conjunction with California Coast Credit Union and the San Diego Food Bank, we are able to meet the nutritional needs of so many students and their families. A special thank you to Pippa Pierce and Sherry Titus for their daily leadership with this project.
• Attended the Association of Chief Business Officials (ACBO) 2022 Fall Conference with Acting Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Nancy Lane. The conference identified issues currently impacting community colleges, and we discussed the intricate details of community college financing. ACBO membership includes 72 districts and 115 California community colleges which represents over 2.1 million students.
• Participated in the North San Diego Business Chamber’s, Women Connect: Women Leading the Way, virtual event. As a panel member, I shared my strategies for keeping calm under stress and the importance of building a circle of influence. Thank you, Debra Rosen, CEO of the North San Diego Business Chamber, for inviting me to participate.
• Met with Dr. Jennifer Jefferies, Director of the Fallbrook Regional Health District, and current member of Palomar’s Fallbrook Advisory Board Committee. She was also formerly the Superintendent of the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District for over ten years. During our meeting, we discussed strategies for how Palomar can strengthen our footprint in Fallbrook.

Hiring Updates

• As part of the hiring process, the district will conduct open forums for the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction and Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services positions. At the forums, the campus community will be able to meet the candidates, learn about their qualifications, and ask them questions. Questions are currently being accepted until noon on Friday, November 4th, and can be sent to Palomarjobs@palomar.edu. The forums will also be recorded and streamed online afterwards for those who are unable to attend. Forums will be held in the Governing Board room (LRC-438).  We hope you can join us!

  Here is the schedule for the November 8th Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Instruction open forums:
  Tina Recalde 8:30 am – 9:30 am
  Narges Rabii-Rakin 9:45 am – 10:45 am
  Andrew MacNeill 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

  Here is the schedule for the November 9th Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services open forums:
  Richard Storti 8:30 am – 9:30 am
  Todd McDonald 9:45 am – 10:45 am
  Dennis Curran 11:00 am -12:00 pm

• Dr. Brian Ellison will join Palomar College as the Acting Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services on Tuesday, November 1st. Dr. Ellison has served as a senior community college administrator for over 18 years and has served as an Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services and Instruction. Please stop by his office and say hello.

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

• The Ethnic Studies Department will host events to celebrate Día de Los Muertos this week on November 1^st and 2^nd in the LRC. These efforts are led by Professors Alex Gómez and Dr. Angelica Yañez who will discuss the importance, and history, of Día de Los Muertos. Here is a link to the flyer.
• Tuesday, November 8^th, is National First-Generation College Celebration Day which recognizes the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. To celebrate first-generation college students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we are hosting a special event from 12 pm – 2 pm at the San Marcos Library/LRC Plaza. More information to come.
• November is Native American Heritage Month. You can visit the month’s official website here to participate in online events and view interesting online exhibitions. This month is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native Americans, and an opportunity to educate ourselves about the various tribes and raise general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and at present.

Vision Plan 2035

We continue to make progress during the “discovery phase” of our plan development. Last Friday we started sending out links to our Vision Plan 2035 survey. We are administering the survey to all students, faculty, and staff. Survey items are tailored for each group and are provided in both English and Spanish. Please take a few minutes to provide your feedback.

Comet of the Week

The Comet of the Week is Math Professor, and Director of Palomar’s Math Center, Fari Towfiq. Professor Towfiq is student-centered, and she is dedicated to making mathematics accessible to ALL students. She is constantly refining her curriculum and introducing new innovative ways to reach students. Hearing her speak this last week inspired me, and I felt enormous pride about how she is moving Palomar forward to be better equipped to meet the diverse needs of our students!

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.

The Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drills

Please note, the Great California ShakeOut Earthquake drill will take place this upcoming Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 10:20 a.m. and 6:20 pm.  The entire District, including the San Marcos Campus, Escondido Education Center, Fallbrook Education Center, and Rancho Bernardo Education Center will participate in the drill this year.

During the drill, information and directions will be delivered in a 60-second message broadcast through the Palomar College Emergency Notification System to all phones and other emergency notification channels utilized by the Palomar Community College District.  Everyone in classrooms, offices, and facilities will be instructed to follow the proper steps to ensure a safe and prompt protection strategy.

The drills are being coordinated through our Palomar College Environmental Health & Safety department.  For more information, please visit the following link.

Campus Engagement

• Attended an Educational and Facilities Vision Plan 2035 meeting with the steering group to discuss Palomar’s long-term development plan and later in the week met with a small coordinating group to make sure we are on track and adapting as necessary as we go through this process.
• Attended the 2022-2023 Budget Committee Meeting.  Through the development of annual fiscal goals, the Budget Committee recommends budgeting parameters and aligns the college’s priorities to institutional planning.
• Attended award-winning author Sonia Gutierrez’s discussion about her novel, “Dreaming with Mariposas” in celebration of Latinx Heritage Month.  I have enjoyed reading the book but hearing the author directly speak to the characters was fascinating!
• Attended a Special Projects Meeting to continue to discuss and prioritize the District’s hiring efforts.
• Met with the Palomar Faculty Federation for our standing monthly meeting.
• Welcomed the Student Senate For California Community College’s (SSCCC) Board of Directors to our campus.  SSCCC pursues policies that will improve student access, promote student success, engage and empower local student leaders, and enrich the collegiate experience for all California community college students.  Along with our ASG members, I enjoyed meeting student leaders from across the state.
• Facilitated our bi-monthly College Council Meeting.
• Attended the Palomar College Planetarium show, “The Sky Tonight”.  This live presentation uses the Digistar 7 system to take audiences on a journey through the current night sky.  During the show, you learn about the constellations and planets that are visible for this specific time of the year.  Here is a link to the Planetarium website to learn more.  Professors Mark Lane and Scott Kardel, and all who make this show possible, are to be commended!  I cannot say enough about this show, and I highly encourage all of you to check it out!  I promise, you will not be disappointed!  Be sure to get your tickets ahead of time because this popular show tends to sell out.

Community Engagement

• Attended the Palomar College Foundation’s Annual President’s Invitational Golf Classic Fundraiser at Maderas Golf Club.  The funds raised from this event go towards removing financial barriers for our Palomar College students.  Thank you to Executive Director Stacy Rungaitis, and her incredible team, at the Foundation for making this event a success every year.  And thank you to everyone who supported the fundraiser.
• Attended the North San Diego Business Chamber’s Regional Connect event at the Palomar College Rancho Bernardo Education Center.  This event gave me the opportunity to talk to community members about our amazing facilities and programs.
• Attended the Latino Book and Family Festival on MiraCosta College’s campus.  The event featured over 100 exhibitors and more than 30 award-winning authors of works in all genres written by, or about, Latinos.  The exhibitors highlighted the importance of literacy and promoted awareness of college and community resources.  The festival also featured entertainment, a children’s stage, bilingual activities, workshops, food, and book giveaways.  Thank you to Outreach Specialist Tony Quiroz and ETS Coordinator Edwin Torres who made it possible for Palomar to have an information booth at the event.
• Attended the Boys and Girls Club of San Marcos (BGCSM) Annual Auction.  Each year, this auction raises vital funds to support the BGCSM and its programs and services provided to thousands of kids and teens each year.  The evening gathered over 200 business and community leaders.  A special note of appreciation to Trustee Roberto Rodriguez and Trustee Christian Garcia who attended the event representing the Governing Board.

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

• October 17-21 is Undocumented Student Action Week.  This event is held annually to help California Community College students know what resources are available to them and for institutions to lend their support to these students.  Our campus has some great events planned for this week and here is the link to view the calendar.  This year’s theme is Juntos Podemos (Together, We Can): Collaborative Ecosystems that Support Undocumented Students.  Here is also a link to our undocumented student resource page.  Additionally, California Community Colleges (CCC) will be hosting daily webinars designed to raise awareness about the challenges undocumented students continue to face and discuss solutions that support their educational dreams.  Here is a link to register for the webinars.  Please note, Palomar College remains committed to supporting undocumented students.
• October 10 was Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  It is designed to celebrate and honor Native Americans and their history.  Here is an interesting NPR article that talks about the history and geography of Indigenous Peoples’ ancestral homelands.
• ​​October is LGBTQIA+ History Month.  The Palomar Pride Center has many fantastic events planned for next week.  Here is a link to view the calendar.
• October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.  The Disability Resource Center will be hosting events throughout the month.  Here is the link to their calendar.  This month of awareness invites us all to recognize the value of our diverse workforce and the contributions made by people with disabilities in our society.
• October is Latinx Heritage Month.  On Monday the 17th, DRC Counselor Dr. Sabrina Menchaca will lead a workshop entitled, “Latina Me & My A.D.D.” in honor of both Latinx Heritage Month and Disability Awareness Month.  Here is a link to the flyer for this specific event.  Additionally, the Ethnic Studies Department is hosting events to celebrate Día de Los Muertos on November 1^st and 2^nd in the LRC.  These efforts will be led by Professors Alex Gómez and Dr. Angelica Yañez who will discuss the importance, and history, of Día de Los Muertos.  There will be hot chocolate and pan dulce.  Here is a link to the flyer.

Vision Plan 2035

The Educational and Facilities Vision Plan Task Force will meet again this coming Thursday.  A warm welcome to Tricia Frady who is now serving as a tri-chair on this important task force.  During the meeting, task force members will begin discussing data that will inform our plan.  Also happening next week, our educational and facilities planners will continue to hold listening/vision sessions on the San Marcos campus and our Education Centers.

Comet of the Week

The Comet of the Week is Nelida (Nellie) Herrera Martinez.  Nellie is the Director of the North County Educational Opportunity Center (NCEOC).  For those unaware, the goal of the NCEOC is to identify and assist adult participants who want to enter, re-enter, continue, or enroll in a program of post-secondary education.  Nellie goes above and beyond and is constantly planning outreach events to help students apply to Palomar.  Every time I see her, she is out in the community helping our potential students.  I am very grateful for her consistent hard work in this area.

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 the Regular Governing Board Meeting for October where the Governing Board conducted general operational business.
● Attended a Special Meeting to discuss the District’s hiring efforts.
● Attended a Leadership Meeting where the Executive Team shared information and discussed campus priorities.

Community Engagement
● Attended the monthly San Diego and Imperial Counties Community College Association (SDICCCA) meeting. SDICCCA is a collaboration between ten community colleges in a two-county area collectively serving over 200,000 students. We discussed current issues the region is facing, provided updates on our respective colleges, and did collective planning for the 2022-2023 academic year.
● Attended the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges Office (CCCO) System Webinar. This webinar shared tools and resources to make progress on the Vision for Success which is the CCCO’s plan to increase accessibility to higher education. The webinar featured prominent local educational leaders that spoke about topics such as Guided Pathway Strategies, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Title IX, and more.
● Presented two workshops at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Conference in San Diego.
● Attended the, On the Road event hosted at the University of San Diego. This was a special luncheon presentation to discuss the state of Hispanic Higher Education and we explored how Palomar can partner with HACU to advocate for Hispanic students. I met Dr. Antonio Flores President/CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Dr. James T. Harris III President of the University of San Diego. These two men were both informed, student-centered, forward-thinking, solution oriented, and generous with their time. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them both.
● Conducted a Fox 5 News interview to discuss issues of food insecurity facing our campus community. We also discussed the Pack the Pantry Food Drive which is a collaboration between California Coast Credit Union, local community college campuses, and the San Diego Food Bank to raise funds and fill local college pantries. The Anita & Stan Maag Food & Nutrition Center at Palomar College has been named “Agency of the Month” for October 2022 by the North County Food Bank, a chapter of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. This recognition by the Food Bank validates that we are truly making a difference. Education is the most significant pathway to a life free of poverty and food insecurity, and our students are deserving of every opportunity. The Food & Nutrition Center is operated by the Office of Student Life & Leadership and led by Director Sherry Titus and Supervisor Pippa Pierce.
● Met with Dr. Matthew Doyle, the Superintendent of the Vista Unified School District, and discussed plans to strengthen our growing partnership.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Updates and News
● On Wednesday, October 5th, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) violates federal law. This news is troubling, and we are aware that this decision impacts our students, staff, and faculty. Palomar Community College District continues to welcome and serve all students. We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the success of our DACA, AB 540, undocumented and mixed-status students. The Court’s decision allows current DACA recipients to avoid immediate disruption to their lives and to seek extensions of their DACA status. It is important for current DACA recipients to apply for renewal as quickly as possible. Through our partnership with the Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFSSD), free immigration legal services are available to students, faculty, and staff. Some of these services include DACA application/renewal assistance, naturalization, immigration eligibility consultations, and other immigration services. For support, please contact Jewish Family Services of San Diego for assistance or call 858-637-3345. All information is strictly confidential. We remain fully committed to working with all constituent groups to advocate for permanent pathways to citizenship so undocumented Californians can pursue their academic and professional goals without fear of deportation.

● Undocumented Student Action Week. The Undocumented Student Support workgroup has been working diligently to provide our students, staff, faculty, and administrators with workshops that will enhance knowledge of our undocumented student population, provide resources to support students and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). This week of action is taking place October 17-21, 2022. Here is a link to the calendar of events. A Zoom background is available for your use, and here is a link to view the Undocumented Student Support Work Group Video. This effort was led by Professor Alexander Gomez, and his colleagues, to show support for our students.

● Please note, October is LGBTQ History Month. The Palomar Pride Center has many fantastic events planned starting this week with a workshop called, “The Journey of Coming Out for LGBTQ Individuals” led by Outreach Specialist Tony Quiroz. Here is a link to view the full calendar of events.

Educational and Facilities Vision Plan 2035
Are you interested in following our progress on our Vision Plan 2035? Would you like to provide your ideas but cannot make a listening session? Please check out the Vision Plan 2035 webpage by clicking here. We have posted an online feedback form, and we update the page regularly.

Comet of the Week
The Comet of the Week is Pippa Pierce, Supervisor of Student Life and Leadership, for her outstanding work with Palomar’s Anita and Stan Maag Food and Nutrition Center. Fox 5 news was here on Thursday to feature our Food and Nutrition Center and she did an amazing job getting it ready for filming and did an outstanding interview. Thank you for all you do Pippa! We appreciate your incredible effort to ensure no comet experiences food insecurity.

I also recommend reading the latest edition of the Palomar News!

Have a great upcoming week. Go Comets!

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