Program Prioritization and Budget Allocation Update

Last week, Governor Brown signed a new $108 Billion State Budget that should be viewed as being generally favorable to the needs of California Community Colleges. While the Community College System budget still has not recovered to pre-economic crisis levels, the new State Budget contains substantial improvements meant to ensure that colleges can better serve our communities and students.

The largest portions of the State Community College Budget, funds for apportionment, have no real effect on Cañada College. We are part of a community supported college district, and as such, we rely on County-level funding rather than State-level funding. Among the benefits of being “Community Supported” is that the college actually receives greater per-student funding than if we relied on state funding for apportionment. Our County-based funding process is still tied to enrollment at each of the SMCCCD colleges, but the system affords us resources that would not otherwise be available if we were singularly tied to state enrollment funding.

Nevertheless, there are areas and programs in which the college is still very much dependent on state funding. These areas are generally in Student Services and Support. The new State Budget provides continued support for our many “categorical” service programs. Statewide, DSPS was funded $114,223,000; EOPS was funded $88,605,000; Economic Workforce Development was funded $50,000,000; Part Time Faculty Compensation budget was funded $24,907,000; and Part Time Faculty Office Hour budget was funded $3,500,000. Each of these budget lines has an actual, or potential, positive effect on Cañada’s bottom line. In addition, the State authorized new expenditures under the Student Success and Support Program of some $70,000,000.

This is all good news and comes in the wake of discussions the college community held in the last month of the Spring Semester in which we examined the effects of the loss of Measure G funding to college operations. This community supported parcel tax is set to end at the end of this month. The loss in operating funds to the college will be approximately $2.3 Million annually. In April and May, the members of the Planning and Budget Committee, along with some 40 campus faculty and staff representing Instructional and Student Services programs, met to examine options and make recommendations of what the college might do in terms of addressing the loss of Measure G funding, as well as to discuss use prioritization of additional funds, including “One-Time Funds” available through County funding mechanisms, and Grant funds. 

Those involved in the review process took a rather courageous course as they set aside their own interests in search of answers to how we can continue to best serve our students with fewer resources. The number one priority for the group was to preserve instruction as much as possible. Also at the top of the priority list were programs meant to improve student success. Several programs, some funded through Measure G, others funded with "One-Time-Funds" or General Fund resources, received less significant support from the group. While their importance was recognized, their urgency in promoting student success was considered measurably less. The prioritization list was forwarded to me, as President, for review and consideration in developing the final college expenditure plan for 2014-2015.

I have carefully considered the recommendations and understand the values behind them, and I share those values. It is important for us to redouble our commitment to the mission of serving this community in a manner that ensures it has the programs and services necessary to provide the transfer and workforce development tools for our students to meet their goals. So, it was with an eye to stretch and utilize every dollar available to us to meet the financial needs of our programs that guided me in developing the final expenditure plan.

Fortunately, our advanced, effective planning over the past few years has put us in a better position to address our financial challenges than we might otherwise have been. So, as we are about to close the books on fiscal 2013-2014, and now that we have a fuller understanding of our funding stream, given the Governor's Budget and the County's own financial assessment, I want to share with you some of the expenditure priorities I am employing for the new academic year. 

The fact is that our resources are a bit stronger than predicted two or three months ago. We are finishing the year with an Ending Fund Balance of well over $500,000. We have some $1.1 Million in unspent Measure G Reserves, we are receiving a "final payout" of Measure G funds of more than $200,000 at the end of this month, and local property tax receipts are greater than expected allowing the District to provide a substantial "backfill" to Measure G lost revenues of perhaps as much as $500,000. Thus, while I continue to believe it prudent to temper our spending, I am also conscious of not "over-reacting" with unnecessary reductions that might adversely affect student success.

Keeping within the priorities and values provided by the PBC, I am budgeting small reductions in instructional costs which will be realized by eliminating heavily under-enrolled sections; reducing operating costs in CIETL; defunding the Trustee's Project Fund; eliminating the Grants Development Office; employing small operational reductions in Library services; slightly reducing the funding of peer mentorship programs; eliminating some General Fund and Measure G funding in Workforce Development; shifting some counseling funds to resources available with the new Student Success and Support Program; shifting Veteran's Center funds permanently to the General Fund; and shifting some Measure G supported Financial Aid services to the General Fund.

In consultation with Chief Business Officer, Vickie Nunes, we estimate that these reductions and shifted resource allocations will result in a reduction of about $600,000 from funds currently tied to Measure G. These reductions, along with the resources we have identified to carry us through the coming year, and with further time to analyze and plan in 2014-2015, give me confidence that the college can survive the loss of Measure G funds with a robust budget that allows us to effectively serve our students. 

My thanks to everyone who participated in the expenditure prioritization process: Your patience, professionalism, and dedication, are what makes Cañada College such a special place.

Announcing the Colt Academy

A new program is being piloted this summer. The Community of Leadership and Transfer Success (COLTS) Academy is a 4-day student support program that begins on Monday, July 28 and ends on Thursday, July 31st. This summer program was created through a collaborative effort across many departments and student support programs. The steering committee consists of representatives from Counseling, ASCC, A2B, BTO, TRIO, STEM, Transfer Center, Career Center, EOPS/CalWORKS, Learning Center, and Outreach. We hope to also include faculty, the financial aid office, and the Welcome Center.

The purpose of the Academy is for students to:

1. Connect – meet fellow Cañada students, faculty, and staff.
2. Lead – learn their leadership style and how and when to apply it.
3. Succeed – walk away with a Transfer Success Portfolio equipped with tools and resources for college success.

We hope to serve 50 new students in this summer pilot; the target group will be first-time freshmen who have completed our Priority Enrollment Program (PEP). COLTS Academy will feature fun and interactive workshops, a powerful mix of peer leaders who will be the students’ mentors-for-the-day, free academic resources, and an amazing opportunity for students to get a head start on their academic career at Cañada College.

Some of the activities will include:

• Exploring learning styles
• The Growth Mindset (developing your brain like a muscle)
• First-year survival (tips and tools on how to be academically prepared)
• Transfer 101 (the fundamentals of understanding transfer)
• Financial aid and budgeting
• “Who you are matters” (exploring the student experience)
• Career Exploration
• How to get involved (with ASCC!)
• And so much more! 

If you or your department would like to contribute or volunteer for COLTS Academy, please contact our steering committee at (650) 306-3111 or email iwillsucceed@my.smccd.edu.

Cañada College Students in CSU Summer Arts Program

Two of our MART students have been accepted into the CSU Summer Arts program. Sharon Wong and Ace Del Rosario are the students, admitted via portfolio review, to the program.

The CSU Summer Arts animation series has been running for several years, and during the six-week program, students work with and are mentored by artists from studios such as Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, and Pixar, as well as CSU animation faculty. The students make professional and peer contacts, with the goal of producing a portfolio- or demo reel ready piece of work by the end of the program.

Summer Arts is a very competitive program, with students from all over California applying. That we had two accepted speaks volumes about the dedication and effort of our students and the quality of the work they produce.

Sarahi Espinoza Honored at the White House

Cañada College Broadcast Journalism Major, Sarahi Espinoza, was named one of 10 DACA recipients of the Champions of Change award by the Obama administration.

Espinosa was brought to the United States from Mexico by her parents when she was just four-years-old. She moved back and forth between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, living with relatives and friends. It was a difficult transition and her father eventually moved back to Mexico. When she turned 16, Espinosa’s mother left for Mexico, but Espinosa remained behind to live with her brother’s family and finish high school at North Hollywood High School. After graduating from high school in 2008, Espinosa moved back to the Bay Area to live with a sister in East Palo Alto. She worked as a babysitter and registered for classes at Foothill College as an AB540 student. That spring she learned that her dad was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Her mother was caring for him, but they did not have enough money to pay their bills. Espinosa dropped out of school and began babysitting full time to send money to her parents.

In 2011, her father passed away. At that point, she was determined to go back to school to earn her college degree. She learned about Redwood City's Cañada College from Educators for Faire Consideration (E4FC) and was told to contact Adriana Fernandez, a student at Cañada, who put her in touch with Margie Carrington and Trish Guerrara.

She applied for DACA or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status in 2012. As one of 600,000 recipients, Espinoza became eligible to get a driver's license and a job. She now works for the Girl Scouts of Northern California and teaches in environmental science and technology programs.

After enrolling at Cañada College, Sarahi taught herself how to program so she could build a website (www.sarahi.tv) to educate other DACA recipients about scholarship opportunities. (DACA recipients are given a 2-year deportation deferment.) It was this website that got the attention of the White House.

ABC7 News broadcast live from the campus with a story on Sarahi.

English Instructor Doniella Maher

Doniella Maher, currently an adjunct in our English Department, will be joining the full time ranks in the fall. Doniella has taught for the past four years as an adjunct member of the faculty at Chabot College, City College of San Francisco, and Cañada College. Now she is thrilled to be joining Cañada as a fulltime tenure track faculty member.

Doniella grew up in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. She completed half of her Bachelor’s degree coursework in Florence, earning an Italian Studies degree from CSU Sacramento. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Master's Degree in Comparative Literature. She also earned a Certificate to

Teach Post-Secondary Reading and Learning from CSU-Fullerton. Her scholarly emphasis and specialty area is contemporary Italian literature and critical theory, but her personal interests have led to an in-depth study of immigrant literature from all over the world. This study has led to a great desire to explore the unique stories in our own diverse classrooms.

Her love of history, art and the social sciences of led her to further pursue an understanding of the social context and artistic movements out of which literature emerges.

Third Annual Athletic Hall of Fame

The 3rd Annual Cañada College Hall of Fame Dinner was held on June 7, 2014 at the Elks Club in San Mateo.

Inductees Dennis Trixler (Men's Golf), Rocky Maguire (Men's Tennis), Frank Mangiola (Men's Soccer Coach), Sheryle Cattaneo Wienckowski (Women's Soccer), John DeFoe (Basketball), Roger Keilig (Baseball), and Eliezer "Polla" Garibay (Men's Soccer) were honored, along with

Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Year Sarah Rotter (Women's Golf) and

Dylan Cook (Baseball). 

The highlight of the evening came when former Major League standout Moises Alou (Baseball) was honored with the Colts Lifetime Achievement Award. 

The evening served as a fundraiser for Cañada Athletics. 

Congratulations to Mike Garcia and the Hall of Fame Committee for a successful and memorable event!

Commencement 2014

The 2014 Commencement Ceremony was held on the main quad at Cañada College on Saturday morning, May 24th. A record 326 of over 850 students who received their Associate of Arts Degrees, Associate of Sciences Degrees, and Certificates this spring, participated in the Commencement Ceremony. A crowd of more than 1,200 family and friends joined faculty, staff, and administrators in the celebration. In addition, Chancellor Ron Galatolo and each member of the Board of Trustees were in attendance.

The students were treated to an electric presentation by Commencement Speaker, Dr. Andrés Roemer, Consul General of Mexico. Dr. Roemer’s primary message was that the very purpose of education was to challenge convention and the status quo. Those who did, could change the world, while those who fear change, are generally those who see little value in education. Transforming perceptions of education is critical to making ours a better, more flourishing society.

Nikita Michelson Receives President’s Leadership Award

Nikita Michelson

A highlight of May 24th's Commencement Ceremony was the awarding of the 2014 President's Leadership Award to graduating Sophomore Nikita Michelson. The award is given annually to a student who shows extraordinary leadership traits. Shortly after moving to the Bay Area from Sweden in 2011, Nikita enrolled at Cañada and joined the Honors Transfer Program. She became an active member in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She oversaw two PTK campus-wide programs; one measuring academic honesty and the other examining student dietary change. Both projects received honors at the annual PTK International Convention. Nikita will be continuing her studies in Business Administration and Economics at UCLA in the fall.

Student Speaker Steven Jackson

Steven Jackson

This year's Commencement Student Speaker was Steven Jackson. Prior to coming to Cañada College, Steven worked for more than 13 years in the telecommunications industry throughout the Silicon Valley. When he was laid off from Hewlett Packard at the end of 2011, he enrolled at Cañada in the hope of eventually earning a degree in Business Administration. In accomplishing that goal, he is the first in his family to have graduated with a college degree.

Steven is an officer in the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society, a member of the college's Beating The Odds program, a peer mentor for disenfranchised, first generation students, and a volunteer with the Ecumenical Hunger Program in East Palo Alto, a non-profit organization that provides furniture, food, and clothing to low-income families. Steven will be attending UC Berkeley in the spring, where he plans to major in Rhetoric with a minor in Economics. At Cañada College, he completed four separate degrees, including, Business Administration, an AS in Accounting, an AA in Economics, and an AA in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Class of 2014 Valedictorians

Left to right: Heidi Albrecht, Djedjiga Khettab, Tiffany Htwe, Melissa Gier, Marie Aude Alexander

Middle College High School Graduation

Our Middle College High School program graduated 35 high school seniors on Thursday, May 22, 2014. There were over 200 friends and family members in the audience of the Main Theater (in Building 3), all there to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2014. SMCCCD Chancellor Ron Galatolo, Sequoia Union High School District Superintendent, James Lianedies, and SMCCCD Trustees, Tom Mohr and Karen Schwartz, were among the attendees. While several of the graduates will be staying right here at Cañada to continue their studies, the majority of graduates will be moving on to such institutions as UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, Willamette, University of Vermont, University of San Francisco, Menlo College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Redlands University, Northwestern, UMass-Amherst, and University of Oregon. Congratulations to our grads!

Maria Ayalla

MCH Featured Speaker Maria Ayalla

Middle College High School Graduate Maria Ayalla gave a moving and heartfelt address at the graduation ceremony. Following is the text of her speech:

From its nurturing guidance to its genuine care, Middle College extends far beyond the perimeters of an educational program. It stands alone, with a perpetual duty to encourage academic success in even the most disheartened of students, students like me. I began this program unaware and indifferent to the opportunities which lay before me upon graduation. As a product of parents who were never formally educated, I never considered myself capable of a higher education nor was I cognizant of how to even pursue one. Blinded by the misconceptions I had so meticulously cultivated about what my future held, I was certain that my life would be no different than what I knew. And yet, upon entering this program I was taught how to see again, how to pursue what always seemed intangible. For the first time in my educational career, I was greeted with open arms by teachers who embraced my individuality and my own personal story. In merely a year, not only was I able to come to terms with who (I) am as a dedicated and independent student, but I was able to acknowledge my own capacity for success. Encouraged by the support I felt, I earned unparalleled grades and rediscovered an intellectual side of myself I had suppressed for so many years. And today, as I stand before you all, as (I) prepare to commence my freshman year on a full tuition scholarship to UCLA, I acknowledge that I am forever indebted to Middle College, to my instructors, my professors, and to my fellow academic peers for caring for me and teaching me that it’s okay to succeed regardless of where you come from.

Engage the Election

This June, Javier Santos, President of the Associated Students of Cañada College and Student Life and Leadership Manager, Misha Maggi, will be attending the 4th Annual American Democracy Project and The Democracy Commitment Conference held in Louisville, Kentucky. Innovative and pioneering, this coalition acts as a national initiative to bring together over 600 attendees—invigorating and generating an equitable campus climate for civic engagement. Through sharing research, best practices, literature, and collaboration, TDC and the national conference are dedicated to educating all students about the importance of democracy. Utilizing the Spring 2014 Cañada College Community Engagement report, Javier and Misha will present Cañada’s engagement data to all attendees at the national convention.

Alaa Aissi Awarded Prestigious Scholarship

Alaa Aissi

2014 Cañada Graduate Alaa Aissi has been awarded the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship from UC Berkeley. The scholarship is the most prestigious and the highest honor awarded by the university to an undergraduate. It attracts, retains, and graduates the most sought-after students in the world. After the pool of over 90,000 Cal applicants is thoroughly reviewed, only the top 1 percent of incoming students are invited to be interviewed by Berkeley faculty. From there only two hundred students receive the scholarship. Benefits of the scholarship include a Faculty Mentor, research fellowship opportunity, further networking with faculty and fellow scholars throughout their academic careers, along with a monetary award. Upon receiving this honor, Alaa expressed, “I am humbled by the opportunity to have received this scholarship and to be a part of the Regents’ and Chancellor¹s Scholars Association. I am looking forward to being lauded at the Chancellor¹s residence at this fall’s reception and advance my capacity to contribute to my community."

Huang Joins A2B Staff

Tracy Huang

Tracy Huang will join the research and grant program staff early in June. For the past 10 years, she has been a research analyst at SRI International – conducting research in early childhood and K-12 education, including school readiness, early childhood program evaluation, services for young children with disabilities, and educational assessment. She has also provided evaluation consultation and services to a variety of agencies, including recipients of the U.S. Department of Education’s Investing in Innovation Fund (i3); San Francisco Unified School District; and county mental health service agencies in California. In addition, she has worked at the City University of New York’s assessment and institutional research department. She holds a Ed.D from Teachers College, Columbia University. Please welcome Tracy to Cañada College.

Theater Lobby Renovation

Lobby today

Last fall, Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management, Jose Nuñez, initiated a project to complete a facelift of the Theater Lobby using District Deferred Maintenance and remaining Bond funds. To fulfill this initiative, President Buckley assembled a project group, which included faculty and staff from the college’s Performing Arts and Art programs as well as Interior Design Professor Elsa Torres. Professor Torres included three of her students who had the opportunity to work closely with the architectural firm, LCA Architects. 

The group has met several times over the past couple of months to assist in developing design ideas which would include: improving display cases for student art work, new carpeting, new doors, baffling panels, and light fixtures. The goal has been to develop a more inviting and modern lobby to welcome the community and our students. 

Proposal rendering

Architect Brent Randall, listening to the ideas and practical needs of the users, incorporated them into a proposed design. He indicated how much he enjoyed working with the Interior Design students and how impressed he was with the creativity, enthusiasm, and insight they brought to the project.

In addition to the Theater Lobby, the refurbishment project includes replacing carpeting and lights in the Theater House itself. The carpets and lights have not been updated in more than a decade, during the last theater refurbishment. Current planning includes additional baffling on the west interior to limit noise from reaching the second floor walkway that overlooks the Lobby. Should there be no unforeseen circumstances that might delay the project, work could begin as early as this summer.

Meet Lale Yurtseven, New Business Instructor

Lale Yurtseven

Please welcome Lale Yurtseven, who will be joining our full-time Business faculty. Ms. Yurtseven will be teaching courses across the Business curriculum.

Ms. Yurtseven is Turkish, grew up in Germany, and is multi-lingual, speaking English, German, and Turkish.

She holds an M.B.A. in International Management and a B.A. in International Relations from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She has been an adjunct faculty member, teaching Business, at both De Anza and West Valley Colleges for over eight years. She has also served as a grant manager promoting business and education collaboration throughout the California Community Colleges system.

She started an Entrepreneurship Center at West Valley College, where she counseled students and community members who are interested in starting a business.

Prior to her experience in education, Ms. Yurtseven worked in management positions at both fortune 500 companies as well as startup companies. She also founded an information technology company, and continues to serve on its board to this day.