College of Alameda Hosts the Third IEPI Site Visit
On September 13, 2023, College of Alameda hosted the third site visit of the Institutional Effectiveness and Partnership Initiative (IEPI) leads, marking an important follow-up to our status report submitted under the IEPI Grant. The report outlined progress in three key areas:
- Professional Development & Learning Center: CoA has been working diligently to establish a comprehensive training program under this center.
- Equitable Student Access, Success, and Enrollment Stability: College-wide efforts have been concentrated on ensuring equitable opportunities for students while addressing enrollment challenges.
- Fiscal Responsibility and Collaborative Mindset: Faculty, staff, and administration are committed to fiscal prudence, resource optimization, and fostering collaboration.
During the site visit, College representatives expressed gratitude to the IEPI Peer team for their guidance and support. The Peer Resource Team (PRT), led by Dr. Mandy Liang, commended the efforts of our faculty, classified professionals, and administrators and acknowledged the progress reflected in our status report.
Faculty and staff celebrated the College’s improvements in each area of focus, emphasizing the positive changes that have occurred and the breakdown of barriers between instruction, student services, and fiscal leadership.
In conclusion, the meetings were positive and productive, leaving us with a sense of optimism. CoA remains committed to progressing in all areas, with upcoming budget training in November, ongoing work by the enrollment task force, and the promising launch of the Classified Professional Development Committee. These initiatives reflect the College’s dedication to continuous improvement and collaboration.
Umoja Chill & Chat Event Attracts New Students and Engenders Camaraderie
A lively Umoja Chill & Chat event was held on September 19, 2023, at College of Alameda where 50 new students were welcomed to the program. The event was coordinated by CoA Counselor Valarie Carey in collaboration with members of the Umoja Team. CoA Acting President Dr. Diana Bajrami welcomed students to the event. Professor Stephanie Ulrey was a presenter, and Interim Vice President of Student Services Dr. Mildred Lewis and Dean of Career and Workforce Education Dr. Eva Jennings were also on hand to greet and talk to students. The event was a great success and students, faculty, and staff are looking forward to more Umoja events later this semester.
Soaring High: College of Alameda's Aviation Maintenance Technician Program Takes Flight at the Hayward Airport Open House 2023
On September 24, 2023, during the annual Hayward Airport Open House, the skies above Hayward, as reported by Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Program Student Tracey Sato, came alive. The event boasted an impressive turnout, drawing in over 7,500 attendees and transforming the airfield into a bustling hub for aviation enthusiasts and families.
Esther Cheng, the AMT Program Supervisor, took charge of organizing the College's booth at the event. Students, acting as ambassadors, enthusiastically shared their knowledge about the program. Their passion for aviation proved infectious as they recounted their personal journeys, which began with enrollment in the program and culminated in hands-on experience with real aircraft. They also highlighted the vital role played by aviation maintenance in ensuring aviation safety. Many attendees, including prospective students and visitors, left with valuable insights into the AMT Program, and several expressed keen interest in enrolling.
Sato, one of the AMT student volunteers at the event, expressed her hope that sharing her personal journey with prospective students would aid individuals from diverse backgrounds in finding a path to explore and excel in the aviation field.
The Hayward Airport Open House serves as a unique platform for AMT students to connect with industry professionals, witness the latest advancements in aviation technology, and explore the myriad opportunities available within the aviation industry.
CoA Sends Team to the California Guided Pathways 2.0 Event
College of Alameda sent a team of seven professionals, consisting of faculty members, classified professionals, and administrators, to the California Guided Pathways 2.0 event held at the Oakland City Center Marriott from September 27 to 29, 2023. The event centered on enhancing the College’s student-focused approach using the Guided Pathways framework.
During the conference, the CoA team attended presentations that provided insights into best practices for creating a more student-centered campus. These presentations equipped team members with valuable strategies to support student success. In addition to attending presentations, the team engaged in daily strategy meetings to assess progress and chart their direction for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. These meetings served as a platform for the team to maintain a clear focus on its Guided Pathways goals.
A key outcome of their participation in the event is bolstering CoA’s commitment to strengthening its Guided Pathways plan. The College will collaborate closely with its stakeholders to develop and implement effective guided pathways tactics tailored to helping part-time students. It's worth noting that only a handful of California Community Colleges have ventured into implementing Guided Pathways for part-time students.
CoA remains steadfast in its goal of promoting student success and is poised to be a trailblazer in the continued advancement of Guided Pathways within the California Community College system.
Alameda Economic Forecast Event Provides Unique Insights
On September 28, 2023, College of Alameda representatives attended the Alameda Economic Forecast event. Those in attendance included Peralta Community College District Trustee William Withrow, Academic Senate President Jennifer Fowler, President Nathaniel Jones III, Acting President Diana Bajrami, Dean of Career & Workforce Education Eva Jennings, and classified professionals Chungwai Chum and Ava Lee Pang.
The Alameda Economic Forecast provided a unique opportunity to acquire cutting-edge insights into the economic landscape of the City of Alameda and the greater Bay Area. Attendees had the chance to explore the latest trends in biomedical and healthcare industries and network with industry leaders.
The event was an engaging experience that offered valuable insights for businesses, investors, and policymakers alike. Speakers at the Alameda Economic Forecast included:
- Keynote Speaker: Founding Partner at Beacon Economics Dr. Chris Thornberg.
- Attorney General Rob Bonta discussing "Business Security in California."
- An Economic Panel presented by the Azzur Group titled "The Future Is Now: How the Alameda Economy Is Changing."
The third panel featured insights from biomedical, energy, and transportation experts, and included the following experts from biomedical, energy, and transportation sectors: CEO Adam Elsesser of Penumbra; Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jeffrey J. Hessekiel, J.D. of Exelixis; CEO Mike Laufer of Kairos Power, Inc.; CFO Warren DeSouza of Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.; and CEO Philip Lee of GeneFab. The panel was skillfully moderated by Executive Director of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance Stephen Baiter.
College of Alameda Kicks Off Latinx Heritage Month
On Tuesday, September 26, the traditional Tasty Tuesday transformed into Martes Sabroso as the College of Alameda kicked off Latinx Heritage Month. The event featured lunch from Xingones, an extensive musical playlist that included songs ranging from Los Lobos' rendition of the classic 'La Bamba' to contemporary tunes like Peso Pluma's 'Ella Baila Sola.' Martes Sabroso also showcased tissue paper crafts, including papel picado and paper flowers, led by Sociology Professor Araceli Quezada and Interim Dean of Student Enrollment Services Natalie Rodriguez.
This article is an excerpt from the President’s Report, written by Dr. Diana Bajrami, College of Alameda Acting President, that was presented to the PCCD Board of Trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. To view it as a PDF, click here.
