September 5, 2023
Hello, WVC Community,
I hope you enjoyed a successful first week of classes; I am excited to begin week two! It has been inspiring meeting many of you and seeing so many of our students, faculty, and staff in action—in class, directing students across campus, and supporting students’ needs as they come to us. I am constantly reminded that student learning in certain ways is a team sport, and I feel so fortunate to be part of this campus team. This semester, together, we begin our journey focused on organization, introspection, and a systematic approach to student success and community engagement. Let the fun begin!
All-West Valley College Email
To organize and better facilitate campus wide communication of events, activities, committee updates, and program announcements, we are redefining all-campus email access, per past campus planning and shared governance discussions. Academic and classified senate leadership retain all-campus email access. As part of a larger communication plan, campus communications will be handled through the Marketing and Communications department. Stay tuned for how to submit campuswide announcements to Director Tina Vossugh. Organized campus announcements will go out weekly and campus updates monthly to both students and employees as appropriate. We appreciate your patience and support as we implement this new strategy. The ultimate goal is to develop a communication plan to ensure timely, effective communication between administrative leadership, faculty, students, and classified professionals.
Hiring Updates
Last week, Friday, we sent out the link for you to review the recorded Q&A forums for the three Vice President of Administrative Services finalists. Please complete the Candidate Feedback Form no later than today, Tuesday, September 5, at 5 p.m. I appreciate your input. Also, I have also concluded the Executive Assistant to the President search. These two positions are scheduled to go to the Board for approval on September 12.
We will begin the interview process for the Interim Dean of Health and Human Development position this week—the outcome of which I look forward to sharing in my next hiring update to the campus. Likewise, I will provide an update on the three permanent dean positions: Dean of Language Arts, Social Science, and Academic Support; Dean of Professional Studies; and Dean of Science and Math. If you are interested in serving on one of the permanent dean screening committees, please check with Classified Senate President Tania Pichardo and Academic Senate President Meg Farrell. I value our classified and faculty perspectives and voices, and I am grateful for your participation.
College Council
I look forward to seeing everyone at College Council meetings. This council serves as a steering committee for college-wide projects, planning and resource allocation, and the efforts of the councils; it also coordinates and maintains the college shared governance processes. Here are the meeting dates for Fall 2023: September 14, September 28, October 12, October 26, November 9, December 14. Meetings will be held from 1-2:30 p.m. in the West Valley College Club Room.
100-Days of Listening
During my first 100 days, I have embarked on a listening tour to establish rapport with the campus community and review key operational and college planning documents, like the college’s educational master plan, with the leadership team to make sure we are meeting college and district priorities. Communication connects us. Please check out the Office of the President webpage to stay connected and to review President’s Communications.
Walk with me this year! We all must make time to connect, reflect on our individual and collective purpose, and inspire one another. As a campus, let’s focus on wellness and well-being. My walking office hours will begin next week starting September 14, and will be Thursdays from 2:30-4:30 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Please contact Sonia%20McVey to schedule a 30-minute time slot. If you are unavailable at these times, please let us know what time works and we will coordinate.
A brighter day,
Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D.