President's Office

Reports to the Board of Trustees

Oct. 6, 2025, Board Meeting

Each month, President Kristina Whalen gives a report on college activities, honors, and achievements during the regular meeting of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees.

View Board Reports Archive

Foothill Opening Day

The Whole Heart and The Whole College • Sept. 18, 2025

On Foothill College's Opening Day, President Whalen talked about who we are and who we aspire to be as a college. In an address titled "The Whole Heart and The Whole College," an intentional, transformative approach was grounded in love and collective purpose rather than mere luck or coincidence.

The strategic plan was introduced, underscored by the mantra “Love, Not Luck.” Her address highlighted how the plan calls the institution to redesign systems and practices to intentionally foster student and employee wellness, belonging, and prosperity. The address recounted tangible progress—such as increased support for Pell students, peer-led professional development for faculty, and agile partnerships at the Sunnyvale Center—that serve as evidence of “the Flywheel Effect,” where momentum breeds further innovation and achievement.

Key priorities in the new Blueprint for Success include yearlong registration, equity-focused teaching, campus modernization, and expanded career pathways—all aiming to close retention gaps for first-time students and deepen employee connectedness and satisfaction. Through co-authorship, collective accountability, and a radical commitment to hope and justice, the college invites its whole community to actively build a future of equity and joy, harnessing both head and heart to propel shared goals and transformation.

View Opening Day SLIDE DECKLeading up to Opening Day, Foothill senior leaders each published a short video outlining their goals for the coming year. These goals are all directly aligned with the Blueprint for Success and our District goals. The six videos can be accessed here.

Awards & Achievements

Foothill recognizes Community Award to Rotarian GaeAnn Spence

Over the past year, Rotarian GaeAnn Spence has provided ongoing coffee supplies for our military-affiliated students, creating a welcoming and supportive environment. In recognition of her commitment to the continuing education of those who have served, Ms. Spence was awarded the Starbucks Neighborhood Grant.  

She generously directed this award to the Veterans Resource Center, contributing $2,000 in funding to its endowments for scholarships and school supplies. Her generosity directly supports the academic success and well-being of Foothill’s student veterans.

Pictured above: GaeAnn Spence receiving the Starbucks Neighborhood Grant and previewing an auction item at last winter's Pasta for Vets Rotarian event.

SLI/MESA grant awarded from Western Digital 

Foothill College's MESA program grant application has been recommended for $12,500.00 in funding from the Western Digital Corporation Fund, an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. These funds will be used to support project-based learning work with MESA students Congratulations and thank you to FHDA Foundation, Sophia Kim and Jovannah Arrington.

Events

New Student Welcome Day • Sept. 16, 2025

More than 700 students attended New Student Welcome Day this year. They met faculty, staff, and current students and also participated in our annual STEM Day event. The night before, 100 parents and guardians attended the New Parent Orientation. Thank you to the Student Services teams, Outreach and Marketing teams, ASFC leaders who planned the event, in addition to STEM Division faculty and staff and all our department representatives who joined in the Resource Fair.

FLEX Day • Sept. 19 

Foothill College's Flex Day offered opportunities for faculty and staff to attend development sessions tailored to their needs. The day started with a Visualizing Learning at Foothill session, led by our Academic and Classified Senate presidents. Faculty then attended their division meetings and participated in their SLO Culture Pods. Classified Professionals attended professional development workshops in the morning and then a community building and Town Hall event in the afternoon. 

Thank you to our FLEX Day committee members!

Strategic Updates

Apprenticeship Program Lifted as Model by National Organization 

The national organization, Apprenticeships for America, released their final report in September researching innovative initiatives by community colleges with apprenticeship programs. Foothill College was highlighted for our credit-for-prior learning general education crosswalk for our building trades apprenticeship programs. 

Please see the downloadable research report Making Apprenticeship Degrees Work at Scale by Apprenticeships for America. Foothill College is highlighted on pages 23 and 24, and the Apprenticeships Demonstration Project Grant is mentioned on pages 29 and 32.

Thank you to all our following colleagues: Paul Starer, Gina Fitzpatrick, Patricia Gibbs, Robert Cormia, Che Meneses, Zach Cembellin, Brian Murphy, Tim Myres, Nate Vennarucci, Matt Hanjy, Andrew Stafford, Jonathan Clark, Phuong Tran, Karen Oeh, Chris Allen, and Teresa Ong.

Another Milestone: Foothill’s 3rd Bachelor Degree Program Reached

On September 10, the ACCJC approved the BS degree in Buildings Trades Management, another milestone in Foothill’s ability to offer a BS pathway to apprentices. The college is awaiting an analysis completed by WestEd, expected to be complete by October 11 and released to CCs and CSU partners. With a favorable report, we will be able to move forward with the rest of the State approval process. Thank you to Chris Allen, Teresa Ong, and Phuong Tran for  bringing goal to fruition.

Invitations to the Board

October is Latiné Heritage Month

Please join us for a month filled with LHM events, including artists talks, Undocumented Student Success Week, a film screening with Dolores Huerta, and much more. View LHM events here and see who participated on the planning committee. Thank you to all who engaged in our LHM efforts!

Transfer Fair • Oct. 15 • 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in Small Gym (2500)

More than 70 colleges and universities will be on campus to meet with our students.  See Transfer Fair details here.

Disability Awareness Month • Oct. 21 • 11 a.m. in Appreciation Hall (1501)

Please join us to hear from Haben Girma, the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. She is a fierce advocate for disability justice and will share her story. Organized by our DRC Team.

Pictured: Habem Girma

Never Fear, Financial Aid is Here! • Oct. 30 • 5:30–8 p.m. • Building 8400

We're offering a spooktacular Financial Aid event for our students, where our Financial Aid team will unearth the secrets of FAFSA/CADAA, grants, and scholarships before the deadlines creep up! Too many students let money vanish into thin air—how terrifying! Rather than be tricked—we want students to treat themselves to answers, discover available resources, and indulge in frightfully free food!