President's Office

November 6, 2024

My inbox is filling up with reactions to yesterday’s national election and the implications it may hold for the educational sector, and more importantly, the students we love and serve. As I said to my team this morning, we operate in a space of radical hope. Education produces real change to the trajectory of our students' lives and their families. And all the data suggest that graduates use their critical thinking skills to vote for human-centered, climate-caring, social change agents. Getting to work seemed like the perfect “now what?” response to the outcome. I also deeply respect a range of reflection techniques and reactions. All valid.

Here's a special election 1-2-3-4-5

1. Election Communication to Students.

Communication went out to students on Monday, in advance of the election, connecting them to resources, including the all day Election Decompression event happening at the Mental Health and Wellness Center today. Our metrics show that students opened that email, and a great many clicked through to the resources.

2. Caring for Vulnerable Students.

Our student services team sent special communication to our undocumented students, providing them with caring outreach and a private, bespoke space to process any anxiety. Our LGBTQIA+ students witnessed the policies and practices that preserve their ability to live truthful, dignity-filled lives weaponized. They are struggling. We are working with GSA and Clifton Der Bing to listen and react appropriately.

3. Political Science Forum.

Just after the inauguration, and with some time to decompress and process, the Political Science Department will be hosting a forum to help us unpack the implications of the Trump administration’s policy platform on our students and education more generally. Stay tuned for details.

4. In local election news, please note that FHDA Board of Trustee President Peter Landsberger was reelected.

New trustee Terry Godfrey will join the Board of Trustees. And, it looks likely that Trustee Ahrens has won his seat in the assembly. How his seat will be filled is still under discussion.

5. De Anza President Finalists.

Not an elected seat but still an important choice, the finalist for the De Anza College President have been announced. If you missed the email, read the candidate’s biography here.

As is The Way of the Owl, people here are facing uncertainty by gathering together, connecting, and taking care of one another. I see so many sourcing support for one another.

Yours in service,
Kristina