College of Alameda Kicks Off Spring Semester with a Robust Flex Day

College of Alameda held a virtual Spring Semester Flex Day on Friday, January 21, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 The College’s leadership team launched the morning session with welcoming remarks by Academic Vice President Jennifer Fowler, outgoing Classified Senate President Kawanna Rollins (who introduced newly elected Classified Senate President Louie Martirez y McFarland), Peralta Federation of Teachers Representatives Andrew Park and Richard Kaeser, and a state-of-the-college presentation by College President Dr. Nathaniel Jones III. The event was organized by the College’s Professional Development Committee.

Morning sessions focused on the important work of the College’s Guided Pathways (GP). President Jones stressed the need for Guided Pathways to address student completion and success with equity in mind. “We don't have the luxury of waiting,” said President Jones. “We want to ensure that every student that comes through our doors gets through as quickly as possible to realize their God-given potential and abilities.” 

Guided Pathway Leads English Department Chair Maurice Jones, and Counseling Department Co-Chairs Marissa Nakano and Julie Sacchao led Flex Day participants through an in-depth update on the milestones that have been achieved by CoA’s Guided Pathways, such as the completion of program maps for associate degree and certificate programs, and implementation plans for spring.

Division meetings took place from 11 a.m. to noon. There were a variety of afternoon sessions for faculty and staff to choose from, including What’s What (and Where) in CurriQunet, Humanize Your Course with a Liquid Syllabus, Resume Development, Student Learning Outcome Assessment (SLO) and Program Review, Accounts Payable and Procurement Overview Training, Moving Up in Your Career, Onboarding: Welcoming New Faculty to the COA Family, Embed a Librarian: An Option for Your Canvas Course, and a Classified Meeting.

CoA Entrepreneur Certificate Program Offered This Spring

CoA’s Online Entrepreneurship Certificate program will prepare students for entrepreneurship through a series of hands-on and experiential classes. These courses are designed to help students develop business ownership skills and serve as a springboard to start, run, or grow a personal or family-owned business. 

CoA’s Entrepreneurship Certificate Program was designed by Professors Rochelle Olive and Carolyn Johnson based on feedback from students and the business community. The program has been funded in part by the Strong Workforce Program (SWP), Perkins, and the Improving Online Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways grant. 

The Entrepreneurship Certificate was developed as part of the College’s ongoing Strategic Enrollment Management efforts using a Guided Pathways approach in developing a series of highly impactful courses that could be completed in a single semester. The curriculum includes courses in market research, business law, introduction to the business pitch, essential entrepreneurship skills, and tools for success. 

The virtual nature of the certificate program is critically important allowing greater flexibility and access for busy working adults, parents, and harder-to-reach students. Participants can determine how they schedule their time and complete all courses in one semester. While the certificate program focuses on entrepreneurship skills to start a business, it also provides valuable information for those individuals who are already engaged in a career and want to learn new skills for their own professional development.

Student Services Launches CARES Team

The COVID pandemic has resulted in increased loneliness, stress, anxiety, and depression among many in our community, including our students. 

The CoA Student Services Division, under the direction of Vice President Dr. Tina Vasconcellos, is spearheading an innovative approach to address this issue. The goal is to maintain a healthy and safe environment for students and the college community. The CoA CARES team seeks to effectively intervene early and provide support services to students displaying distressed behaviors. 

Director of Student Activities and Campus Life Natalie Rodriguez is coordinating the implementation of the CARES initiative and encouraging early interventions to ensure students’ well-being. 

The CARES Team is comprised of Student Services deans, directors, mental health professionals, Student Accessibility Services (formerly DSPS) representatives, Counseling Department representatives, and other resources as needed. The CARES Team also may consult with the Athletics Department, International Student Admissions and Services, Financial Aid Department, and the Office of Instruction.

Examples of issues to be addressed include: 

• Distressed or disturbed behavior
• Extended absence from class or activities
• Written work or creative expression with troubling themes or references
• Written or creative expression of suicidal thoughts or ideation

Faculty and staff can use the online form to report concerning behaviors. 

The CARES Team is committed to providing confidential, respectful, and proactive support while offering helpful resources that support student success and well-being. The CARES Team is not meant to take the place of standard classroom management techniques utilized by faculty. Implementation of this team does not alter any existing discipline policies. The CARES Team has been developed as part of the College’s ongoing Strategic Enrollment Management efforts to help improve student retention and success rates.