President's Office

September 11, 2024

(1) Foothill College Opening Days:

September 19th-20th FLEX Day is scheduled for September 19th, and College Opening Day is on September 20th This year's theme, “Supporting Cultures of Growth,” with metaphorical ties to our own bamboo grove, will center much of our discussion. The programming includes a keynote address by Mary Murphy, author of Cultures of Growth. This Canvas site has the full program for all three days, including links to the District Opening Day of September 18th program.

(2) Senior Leadership Updates for AY 2024-2025.

Given the plethora of important work planned for FLEX and Opening Day, we have moved the 2024-2025 strategic updates (generally given from the stage on Opening Day) into short informative videos. Next week, one video will be shared each day. Be on the lookout for your daily video! In the meantime, check out my Annual Goals on the President's Office website.

(3) ICYMI: FHDA is partnering with the State Chancellor’s Office

Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity

The MOU was approved at the September 9th Board of Trustees meeting, attended by Chancellor Sonya Christian, and the news was broadly shared at the Futures Summit, held yesterday at De Anza College. The Futures Summit was described as an event that brought together visionaries, thought leaders, educators, campus AI coordinators, and government officials for a one-day event focusing on AI in the workplace and its implications for the present and future. State Chancellor Sonya Christian and FHDA Chancellor Lee Lambert kicked off the event. Congratulations to Anu Khanna, Jory Hadsell, Dennis Chima, and the tech team at De Anza, who worked tirelessly on this successful event. Attendance was limited, but those from Foothill College who snagged a ticket will have many opportunities to share insights more broadly with the campus.

(4) Student Senate for California Community Colleges seeking student nominations to the Board of Governors.

Our student senate leaders have asked us to share that nominations for a student rep on the Board of Governors have reopened. Following the 2030 vision goals, they seek student representation with varying experience levels. They are actively seeking someone who recently graduated from high school and is in their first or second year at Community College with an interest in Government. In your welcome interactions or pre-quarter welcome emails to students, please share this opportunity. https://ssccc.org/what-we-do/statewide-advocacy/board-of-governors-student-nominations.html. Applications are due September 23, 2024.

(5) Help name the new Wellness Center expansion.

The Hearthside Lounge is transforming into a Wellness Center/Lounge for students to relax, study, rejuvenate with a massage in one of our massage chairs, take an art therapy workshop, engage in a self-care activity, or connect with others who share the value of prioritizing mental health and wellness. The new name is up to you!! What would you name this amazing space? Vote here.

Before I sign off, I'd like to acknowledge that today is a powerful day of remembrance for our nation and a great day of sorrow for many families that lost loved ones on 9/11/01. On this day in particular, I am drawn to the words of practicing doctor and Buddhist Alex Lickerman, "Be good to those around you in concrete ways. Create an island of peace in your own life. If you do, it will spread."

Yours in service,
Kristina