College of Alameda Strategic Management Initiatives and Updates
On March 10, 2022, CoA Business and Administrative Services Vice President Augustine Gill arranged a dialogue with the District Finance Team (led by PCCD Interim Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Adil Ahmed) reviewing audit findings and brainstorming solutions to improve internal controls and communications between the College and District Finance Team.
The meeting was held at the CoA campus and attended by staff from the Business and Administration Services, Office of Instruction, and Student Services. The College and District teams will meet on a monthly basis to train staff in accounting procedures and internal controls, modify processes to improve day-to-day transactional issues, and support each other in finalizing internal controls, policies, and procedures.
COA’s Aviation Maintenance Technology Propeller Test Takes Flight
College of Alameda’s Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) Program and FabLab recently collaborated on the AMT 76 Blade Pitch Propeller Project turning an aerodynamic design challenge into an engaging interactive classroom experience. It all started when AMT Instructor Bruce Pettyjohn’s students were having difficulty understanding the concept of pitch or how the “twist” of a propeller blade angle at various points along the blade affects propeller dynamics. Pettyjohn wanted to create a fun and educational activity that would provide his students with a hands-on experience allowing them to learn the concept by designing, building, and testing propeller dynamics.
Collaborating with CoA FabLab Lead Miguel Vega, Pettyjohn outlined basic propeller design, and Vega used the free Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software program, Fusion 360, to create a parametric five-inch diameter propeller model. Once the basic model was created, students determined their desired blade pitch at set points and the total number of blades in order to design and test their propellers. After entering the information into the Fusion 360 software, students printed three-dimensional models using the FabLab’s PRUSA 3D printers.
One by one, each student’s propeller was mounted onto a test stand’s motor and run through a repeatable test script. Students saw their models tested in real-time, recorded the data, and compared and contrasted outcomes. While some propellers performed better than others, all of the AMT students in Pettyjohn’s class said that they benefitted from this particularly uplifting, hands-on, learning opportunity!
Congratulations to CoA ESOL Instructor Dr. Didem
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instructor Dr. Didem Ekici’s latest book, Person to Person Peacebuilding, Intercultural Communication, and English Language Teaching, has been published through Multilingual Matters Publications this month. This book maps the discursive terrain and potential of person-to-person peacebuilding as it intersects with intercultural communication and online language teaching. The data collected through interviews and journals describe the profound transformations the participants undergo throughout their intercultural English language tutoring journeys. Inspired by these voices, the book further explores ways teachers and teacher educators of language and intercultural communication can more deliberately leverage the affordance of peacebuilding, whether face to face or in the virtual intercultural borderlands of online exchange. The book that Dr. Ekici has written, with co-authors Amy Jo Minett, and Sarah E. Dietrich, is the product of three years of concentrated effort and collaboration.
New Student Engagement System a Welcome Addition at CoA
College of Alameda Counselors Marissa Nakano and Julie Saechao are excited about the rollout of ConexED Case Management, Scheduling, and Communication Software. ConexED is an online tool that helps counselors connect with students in areas where students are looking for help. "The ConexED Platform is a great opportunity to reach, teach, and talk with students online and counsel them throughout their academic journey,” said Saechao. “Once you get the hang of the platform it is really easy to use. The platform is user-friendly and the support team is great!” The system is designed to drive engagement, and ensure students get the help they need when they need it. The software provides a number of features that counselors will use to connect with students and keep them on track for success. These features include easy scheduling of meetings, system-generated alerts to help with follow-up, and integration with Canvas and PeopleSoft.
CoA Co-Sponsors Alameda State of the City Presentation
The Alameda Chamber of Commerce and Economic Alliance held a State of the City Address on April 7, 2022, aboard the USS Hornet. The event featured a keynote presentation by City of Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft who discussed city priorities, challenges, future plans, goals, and expected outcomes. Ashcraft’s talk was followed by a question and answer session with the City of Alameda's Community Development Department Director Lisa Maxwell, Director of Housing and Transportation Andrew Thomas, Police Chief Nishant Joshi, and Fire Chief Nicholas Luby. Several PCCD and CoA members signed up to attend the event, including PCCD Trustee Bill Withrow, PCCD Interim Chancellor Dr. Jannett N. Jackson, PCCD Interim Deputy Chancellor/Chief Operating Officer Dr. Stephanie Droker, CoA Classified Senate President and Project Manager/Transitions Liaison Kawanna Rollins, CoA Communications Instructor Jennifer Fowler, CoA Vice President Instruction Dr. Diana Bajrami, CoA Vice President of Student Services Dr. Tina Vasconcellos, and CoA President Dr. Nathaniel Jones III.
CoA's Virtual Soul Food Presentation Celebrates Tradition
On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at noon, the College of Alameda hosted the 7th Annual Sunday Dinner Celebration. The event was sponsored by the Peralta Association of African American Affairs (PAAAA) and the CoA Office of Student Activities and Campus Life. Guest Speakers included CoA President Dr. Nathaniel Jones III and CoA Emeritus Classified Professional Reverend Brenda Lewis.
In addition to an interactive workshop featuring guest speakers, movie clips, and noteworthy references to recipes and cookbooks, participants also enjoyed a delicious Grab-and-Go lunch outdoors in the Quad area.
Members of the Black History Month Committee who helped organize the event included: Jody Campbell, Rochelle Olive, Carla Pegues, La Shawn Brumfield, Natalie Rodriguez, Shawn Foster, Selwyn Montgomery, Ben Hutchison, Lamar Rice, and Carmel Moorer.
CoA Student Launches Wellness Day
Wellness Day at CoA will take place on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from noon to 2:30 p.m., outdoors in the Quad area. There will be a variety of stress-reducing activities, including healthy acai bowl lunches, a live DJ, yoga session, therapy dogs, and an art table. Financial Aid representatives also will be available providing students with fun activities and important information about the financial aid application
process. The event has been organized by Health Services Coordinator Lisa Sawadogo, College to Career (C2C) Coordinator/ Counselor Jennifer Sanoh, Student Accessibility Services Counselor, Dr. Jacinda Marshall, Director of Student Activities and Campus Life Natalie Rodriguez, Staff Assistant to the Dean of Enrollment Service Nickey Chao, and Dean of Enrollment Services Dr. Amy Lee.
First Spring Financial Aid Fair Will Be Held On April 13, 2022
In celebration of National Student Employment Week, and as part of the Spring Wellness Day festivities, the College will hold its first Spring Financial Aid Fair on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., outdoors in the Quad Area. Free food, fun games, and raffle prizes will be offered along with information on how to complete financial aid applications.
College of Alameda Will Participate in Spring Festival
College of Alameda will be participating in the annual City of Alameda Spring Festival and Community Expo on April 16, 2022, at the Alameda Point Gym, Multipurpose Field & Skate Park, located at 1101 West Redline Avenue in the City of Alameda. According to the organizers, CoA is a perfect addition to the festivities. CoA will offer information and activities for prospective students and their families at this fun and friendly family-oriented event. For more information click here.
This article is an excerpt from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Nathaniel Jones III, College of Alameda President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. To view as a pdf, click here.