Spring 2024
The WVC team helped to sort more than 25,500 pounds of food that fed more than 1,000 families for a week! View the photos of the team hard at work!
The WVC Team
- Maritza F., student
- Cidny G., student
- Gwyneth L., student
- Ryan L., student
- Diego M., student
- Caden R., student
- Pamela W., student
- Shoshi P., community member
- Sylvia C., School of Language Arts
- Joe H., School of Social Science
- Andy K., School of Social Science
- Laura P., School of Science & Math
- Jessica S.,School of Social Science & Language Arts
- John U., School of Social Science & Language Arts
- Nichola G., School of Social Science
- Janis K., School of Social Science
What a great time we had! Twenty-one WVC students and faculty were led on a docent-led tour of History Park, Stevens Ranch Fruit Barn, the Chinese American Historical Museum and the Viet Museum Immigrant Resettlement and Cultural Center. Docents shared historical and current information about the contributions of immigrants, and in particular Asian immigrants, to the social and economic fabric of the South Bay and the state of California.
Heartfelt thanks to the Office of Student Services, AANHPI Program for their financial support of this field trip.
Take a look at more pics from the field trip!
- Tuesday, February 13 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Wednesday, April 17 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Recognizing the importance of active voter participation, the Democracy Institute partnered with the League of Women Voters of Southwest Santa Clara Valley in hosting a voter registration drive at the WVC Campus Center.
About 100 people attended the Fourth Annual Democracy Summit "Addressing Food Insecurity." Panelists from Second Harvest of Silicon Valley and West Valley Community Services provided insights on the prevalence of food insecurity in our community, the services available to those in need, and how WVC students, faculty and staff can contribute toward addressing the challenge.
WVC students attended the lecture “The Challenges of Immigration – Reform or Chaos in 2024?” on Monday, April 1, at the Monterey Conference Center. The lecture featured:
- * Janet Napolitano, President of the University of California (2013-2020), Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2009-2013), Governor of Arizona (2003-2009)
- Julián Castro, Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (2014-2017), Mayor of San Antonio (2009-2014)
- Rick Perry, Secretary of U.S. Department of Energy (2017-2019), Governor of Texas (2000-2015)
- Asa Hutchinson, Governor of Arkansas (2015-2023), Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security (2003-2005)
Fifteen WVC students and three faculty sorted 15,500 pounds of food for more than 600 families in our community. The Second Harvest team manager for our group noted that the WVC team was extremely efficient and kept the assembly line moving. We were so busy, we were only able to take a few pictures!
A group of 29 WVC students and faculty engaged in learning the history of Japanese Americans with docent-led tours of the Japanese American Museum in San Jose and Japantown. The tours shared the experiences of the early immigrants from Japan to the U.S., their leadership in the agricultural community, the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, and the contributions they made to U.S. communities. The field trip ended with students sharing their thoughts on their learning while enjoying bento box lunches and mochi sweet treats. Here are a few pics from the field trip!
Join us at the Spring 2024 DI Student Retreat on Wednesday, May 29, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM in Che 126.
We will be honoring the work of WVC students, faculty, staff and administrators who participated in and provided support to the Democracy Institute in 2023-2024. We will also be brainstorming on future topics for the speaker/lecture series and the Spring 2025 Democracy Summit, as well as future events that are consistent with our mission of promoting democracy through education and service.
RSVP today to save a spot.
Fall 2023
Students and faculty worked side-by-side to sort and pack food at the Second Harvest of Silicon Valley on Thursday, September 21 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. It was hard and sometimes grimy work, but well worth the time and effort. Check out pictures from the event!
The WVC Team
- Connie F., Student
- Amrita ., Student/ASWVC
- Victor C., Che School of Professional Studies
- Anna D., School of Language Arts
- Andrew K.n, School of Social Science
- Nichola G., School of Social Science
- Janis K., School of Social Science
- Betsy S., Library
The first of the Democracy Institute Fall 2023 Speaker series featured Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson, an award-winning speaker on LGBTQ+ and social justice issues. More than 100 persons from the WVC community listened to insights from their book, Queer & Trans Advocacy in the Community College.
FBI Special Agent Marty Parker shared information on the types and prevalence of human trafficking, particularly in the Bay Area, and the signs to look for with more than 100 WVC students, faculty and staff.
Eighteen WVC students and faculty sorted more than 18,000 pounds of food to feed 720 families on Friday, November 17, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. View the pictures to see the fun we had!
The WVC team with list as follows:
- Sophia A., student
- Annika B., student
- Ryan D., student
- Connie F., student
- Winter F., student
- Alyscia G., student
- Juan L., student
- Amanda M., student
- Kimberly M., student
- Sonya P., student
- Ethan P., student
- Jesus R., student
- Darian R., student
- Avery V., student
- Anna D., School of Language Arts
- Jennifer K., School of Social Science & Language Arts
- Nichola G., School of Social Science
- Janis K., School of Social Science
Summer 2023
Approximately 40 individuals including WVC faculty, staff, administrators and students, as well as leaders in community organizations such as the College of Adaptive Arts and Mosaic America gathered at the e-Center to brainstorm and provide feedback on the Democracy Institute’s mission and purpose, on expansion of the Democracy Institute badge to be as flexible in meeting students’ needs and schedules, and activities that engage students with the college and community.
View event photos.
Spring 2023
Coordinated student participation/attendance in the Panetta Lecture Series. In Spring 2023, ~25 students attended two events of the 2023 series (“The Presidency and a Divided Congress: Can They Govern?”) at the Monterey Convention Center. In Spring 2022, ~70 students, faculty and staff viewed video-taped interviews (the three events were hosted on WVC Campus in LASS 50).