Dec 7, 2016 —

Office of the President

HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Colleagues,

The holiday season is here and final exams are quickly approaching. Before the semester ends, I wanted to send you a holiday greeting and leave you with a couple of thoughts. Also, please note that our Spring Convocation meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 5. All are invited to attend. It will begin with a warm breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in OAB 251. The meeting agenda will follow. I want to wish all of you a great holiday and hope you stay hydrated and healthy!

As the college prepares for the Winter Break, I would be remiss not to share with you how thankful and proud of the FCC spirit of excellence and our rich history of community involvement. We acknowledge that by creating a challenging yet supportive environment in which students (and staff) are encouraged to take intellectual risks, pursue academic and creative interests, contribute to the community, and explore diverse career paths, Fresno City College will continue to be a college that accomplishes goals and our legacy will continue.

By now, many of you have seen the District’s Strategic Plan Draft (see attached), we are finalizing the College’s Educational Master Plan. In the Spring we will begin to craft the Fresno City College Strategic Plan, that will align with the District’s plan and it will be shaped by our history of community service mixed with a bold entrepreneurial spirit and maintain a laser focus on student success by fostering a spirit of learning excellence that will be reflected in the FCC Strategic Plan. If you are interested in being more involved with the Strategic Planning Process, I encourage you to talk with your area Dean.

We have been serving our community for over 100 years. When you consider the myriad of difficulties that our community has faced, such as, financial challenges brought on by high unemployment and the drought, and homelessness, access to affordable health care, our commitment to inspire learners for success by ensuring students have the opportunity to achieve their educational and career goals becomes even more important. We are helping to equip residents to rise above the challenges.

To do this, it takes more than just a few people willing to “go the extra mile” If we are to be truly successful, it will take all of us, working together and giving it our best. During this reflective time of year, it is critical that all members of the college community see themselves as the leaders we are. We respond to our communities and our students. Fresno City College empowers people and transforms communities. Stewardship and supporting our community through collaboration is part of our core values. Below are a few examples of going above and beyond for our students and community:

Larry Honda, Music Instructor: In addition to being an accomplished musician and instructor who plays in college groups and the philharmonic. Mr. Honda has been a strong supporter and

Volunteer of the Ram Pantry, distributing food to students each and every Friday afternoon. Larry recently joined the academic senate, chairs the Student Welfare subcommittee and authored the resolution of support for the Ram Pantry. Thank you for igniting something amazing! The Ram Pantry will expand!

Deb Lewis—Coordinator, Child Development: In addition to serving as the chair of chair of FCC’s Human Resources Committee, she has provided valuable mentorship for our valley’s early childhood professionals and served as a facilitator for the Fresno

County Office of Education’s Child Development Professional Growth Seminar. Kudos to you!

Craig Poole—Geology instructor: While serving on numerous college committees and serving as the co-advisor for the Outdoors Club on campus, he is also a current Board member for the Sierra Foothill Conservancy and the Fresno Gem and Mineral Society. Plus, he has been actively involved with the Rams Alliance Science Club activities with Kirk Elementary School!! Thanks for spreading so much good!

Eric Swain, Athletic Director: Eric has put in countless hours supporting the Rams athletic teams including working nights and weekends, and traveling out of town to accompany teams. He has developed strong relationships with Fresno Unified and Clovis Unified always presenting a professional image of the Fresno City College Rams. He too has volunteered with the Ram Pantry! Bravo!

Jojie Stallard, Adjunct Medical Assisting Instructor: Jojie is responsible for the Medical Assisting work experience class. Each semester, she finds work experience placements for up to 30 students, many of whom find jobs after completing the program. She provides extra clinical practice for students who need help. She readily volunteers when we need help including representing Fresno City College at the Fresno County Youth Conference. Thank you for your dedication to our students!

Rio Waller, Computer Information Technology Instructor: She unselfishly gives of her time to assist faculty with creating videos and most recently, assisting faculty with the Canvas transition. Her self-proclaimed teaching mantra is to provide a “…safe, fun, affordable learning environment for students.” Instructor Waller is also committed to keeping student costs to a minimum, as such, she secures OER course materials that are 90% free.

She works to identify methods for her students (and actually all FCC students and faculty) to connect with the local tech community. From GDG DevFest, to Women TechMakers (of which she was a founder), Rio has taken a leadership position in her department to give FCC’s Computer Information Technology Department a face in the community.

The Google Developers Group (GDG) was just selected as Top 10 Business Partner through the Fresno Compact and will be recognized at their March 1 luncheon.

She is a stellar representative of the Business Division and the FCC campus. I humbly thank you.

Pearl Mangum, Business Division,Administrative Aide: She is a cornerstone of the business division and “an angel to many FCC students, staff, and faculty.” (Quote from many!) She routinely serves under the radar by providing assistance to new faculty, adjunct, classified professionals, and student aids. Mrs. Mangum shows compassion for all and withholds judgment when most would first judge. For over twenty years, she has served as an Idile mentor; is an influential voice in the governance of the African American Faculty and Staff Association; and goes out of her way to connect students in need with resources on campus, within the community, and at her church (of which is she an elder). Mrs. Pearl Mangum has been recognized on the Wall of Honour for her service to the community and was named the Classified Professional of the Year. There is no question that both on campus, and away, FCC is near and dear to her heart and she places students as a priority. I can’t thank you enough for you for all you have done!

Another legacy that continues is athletic excellence! This holiday season we celebrate the newly crowned championship Volleyball team, led by first-year head coach Kieran Roblee. The team won the California Community College State Championship on December 4 beating Pierce College in the finals. Three players, MVP Jenna Goldsberry, Makayla Cervantes and Breanne Dubberke were named to the 2016 All-CCCAA state Tournament Team.

And we couldn’t be more proud of our men’s soccer team who came so close to becoming state champions. They met Mt. San Antonio in the finals on December 4 going 0-0 in double overtime only to lose 5-4 by penalty kicks. Eric Solberg’s team finishes an outstanding season 19-1-5.

You can be proud to work at FCC, and proud to be a student at FCC for being part of its rich history, and especially for the significant impact you will have on the world and our communities in the future.

I hope to see you at one or more of our many holiday events on campus. Tonight will be the String Ensemble in the Recital Hall at 5 p.m. and the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Singers in the Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

For some family fun, I hope you partake this weekend in an Old Fashioned Christmas in the Auditorium. Friday night the choirs will present the annual Holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday at 2 p.m. you and your family can enjoy fun activities including art projects, letters to Santa, holiday storytelling and sing-a-longs.

Lastly, I hope you will join me and the faculty from the Fire Academy on Friday, December 16th, 2016, at 6:30 PM, in the Old Administration Building when we celebrate the 46th completion of Fire Cadet training. We will come together to honour our students and their families as we rejoice in the completion of their education and training.

 

Dr. Carole Goldsmith, President

Fresno City College
Phone: (559) 489-2212
www.fresnocitycollege.edu