President's Office

President's Message: January 21, 2026

January 21, 2026

(1) Join the Launch Party for Foothill College’s Blueprint for Success!

Jan. 28 | noon–1:30 p.m. | Dining Hall
Food, music, inspiration, and a shared vision for our future—together.

Get ready for a 90-minute experience that blends storytelling, performance, and campus energy as we unveil Foothill College’s Blueprint for Success—our strategic plan through the year 2030. You’ve seen plans before—now hear how we’ll bring ours to life.

What to Expect:

A High-Energy Kickoff (noon–12:05 p.m.)
Music and a lively welcome from Presidents Vanessa Santillan-Nieto, Kayla Nguyen, and Voltaire Villanueva.
Boxed lunches to grab—free!

Mini-Keynote: Two Transformative Goals (12:05–12:25 p.m.)
One student’s powerful story and a vivid look ahead to 2030.

Performance: Love, Not Luck (12:25–12:30 p.m.)
A dynamic interlude by Oneself DaVinci that embodies the power of purpose and connection.

Stories of Impact from the Vice Presidents (12:30–1 p.m.)
Four “chapters” come alive as our vice presidents share what transformation looks like—from student belonging to innovative partnerships and the reimagined Sunnyvale Center.

Interactive Break: Name That Love Song! (1–1:10 p.m.)
A fast-paced, DJ-led music challenge with prizes and laughter.

Bringing It to Life: The Next Steps to 2030 (1:10–1:20 p.m.)
See and hear how every team and department connects to the Blueprint through engaging walk-around activities, real project examples, and a first look at our new progress dashboards.

The Whitney Houston Challenge! Audience volunteers will try to match the beat to an iconic love song.

This isn’t about paper—it’s about people.
Come celebrate, connect, and see your role in shaping Foothill’s next chapter.
Let’s launch our Blueprint for Success—together.

(2) ICYMI: The MIPC Minute

The Mission Informed Planning Council (MIPC) is exploring new and better ways to communicate governance work in progress. The MIPC Minute is one such effort. If you have a minute (or two), please view this brief summary of key decisions from the Fall 2025 MIPC sessions:

Watch the MIPC Minute on YouTube

The first MIPC meeting of the Winter quarter took place last Friday. We’re currently soliciting agenda items for the Feb. 6 Mission Informed Planning Council meeting. If you’d like an item to be considered, please submit your request here.

(3) Last Day of Physical Bookstore – March 5

As noted in the MIPC Minute, but worth repeating: After a yearlong, deliberative process, we made the decision this fall to move bookstore services fully online.

The last day for on-ground bookstore operations is March 5. All services will transition fully online, with frequently purchased instructional supplies (e.g., blue books) available at the Welcome Center.

(4) Winter Convocation, Featuring Foothill’s Poet Laureate

Jan. 27, 2026 | 12:15–2 p.m.

The Experience Foothill campaign continues to support experiential learning opportunities, including our inaugural Poet Laureate program. We all need artistic nourishment during these turbulent times—please join the Language Arts and Ethnic Studies Division for Winter Convocation: The Power of Poetry in Community, a special campus event featuring Foothill’s first Poet Laureate, Marvin Flores Hernandez.

“When poetry is placed within a community, it does more than reinforce that community—it empowers us to take agency over our lives. It pushes us to listen and absorb in a world filled with so much noise.”
—Marvin Flores Hernandez

Event Agenda
12:15 p.m.: Smithwick Courtyard for light refreshments
1–2 p.m.: Opening remarks and poetry performance, joined by special guest musicians, in Appreciation Hall (1501)

(5) Public Speaking & Storytelling Series

Jan. 27, 2026 | 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Writing and Language Center (3603)

The leadership of the Classified Senate has put together a robust set of professional development opportunities for the campus. As a former Communication Studies professor, I have to highlight this gem:

Public Speaking with Professor Anju Vriksha and the award-winning Foothill College Speech and Debate Team. Enhance your public speaking skills for both academic and non-academic settings with expert guidance.

Learn practical tools, proven frameworks, and effective strategies to organize your speeches, build confidence, and communicate with impact. Enjoy open practice time and receive live, supportive feedback in a casual and encouraging environment.

Yours in service,
Kristina

Dr. Kristina Whalen
President, Foothill College