I have worked for West Valley College since 1998, serving the learning and research needs of students in the library. This will be my fifth year on the Classified Senate, my second as President. My interest in participatory governance grew from my involvement in SEIU, where I served as West Valley Vice President from 2001-2003 and later as Acting President of the Chapter during the “Furlough Years” 2003/2004. I realized during that time the importance of classified involvement in the decision making process at both the college and the district levels, and began to look for ways to become more actively involved in participatory governance. As Senate President, I represent the interests, needs and concerns of all West Valley classified staff at the highest levels of participatory governance, in matters that are not negotiated by our unions. I regularly attend College Council, District Council, District Budget Advisory Committee (DBAC) and Board of Trustee meetings. This year I hope to expand representation to include District classified staff who work on our campus. My goal is to ensure that all classified staff have a voice in matters that affect our work, our life, and our well-being.

As College Webmaster, I oversee the primary student access portal to the college, the public website, where schedules, registration, student activities and many other forms of information are available as well as overseeing several other internets and intranets for West Valley College. As a member of the Marketing, Publications, Online Student Services & Website Design committees, I have influence on decisions affecting the public image of the college, how the college is being promoted to current and future students and the dissemination of information to Students, Administration, Faculty, & Staff. By becoming active with the Classified Senate, I have gained a deeper knowledge of how the shared governance process works, allowing me to bring that knowledge to my department, Instructional Technology, and to my most important clients, the students of West Valley College.

I work in the President's Office as his Senior Executive Assistant. On the Senate, I act as the Treasurer and the representative for the confidential classified staff. I am the secretary to College Council and also the confidential classified staff representative on District Council. It is part of my job to stay informed so I can answer the numerous questions that come to my office from students, staff, faculty, administrators and community members. I want to ensure the confidential and general classified staff have an ear and clear voice representing them in participatory governance.

I was drawn to the Classified Senate as an opportunity both to learn more about the diverse group that comprises the WVC team, and a chance to support the staff facet of the participatory governance structure. I look forward to bringing news and information from the Senate back to my constituents in the Counseling building and beyond.

I am the Program Specialist for West Valley College's Center for Advanced Transportation Technology & Energy. I have held this position since March of 2001 and really enjoy getting to explore this vast area of emerging technologies. I have my degree in Environmental Studies from UCSC and reside in the Santa Cruz Mountains with my husband Dave and son Brody. I joined the Classified Senate in order to have the opportunity to become more involved in campus activities. Now that I am here, I realize how important it is to be a part of shared governance and look forward to doing what I can to keep the Classified staff informed about College and District activities. As a Senator-at-Large, I will serve on the Diversity committee and represent the classified of the Community Education department and the Math and Science division at the Senate.

My name is Sandy Dinh. I am the Senior Administrative Assistant to the VP of WVC Administrative Services. I've held this position since 2005. I like my job because part of it would require me to be in contact with many departments/people on campus. I also enjoy walking around this beautiful campus during my break and take pride on my privilege of working here. I've joined the Senate so I can get to know more people who I haven't gotten a chance to work with. I'd like to be more involved in all activities at West Valley College as well.

   

I have enjoyed being at community colleges in several capacities: as a student, instructional aide, tutor, volunteer, and now as the Senior Administrative Assistant for the Library and the Dean of Instruction. When I was nominated to be a Classified Senator, I knew very little about the Senate, but I quickly realized what an honor it is to be part of such a dynamic, positive, sincere and focused group of individuals. Over the years, the Senate has become the cohesive force that has unified the classified staff – installing pride and sense of professionalism, raising awareness and giving voice to our ideas and concerns.

I'm Carl Jones and I work in Graphics and Marketing.  What I do has an impact on our enrollment and who is drawn to our college. Being on the Senate provides an opportunity for me to participate in the exchange of information between what's happening across campus - issues and operations - and the experiences of our students. The shared information at the Senate meetings helps me to do my own job better. Being able to attend the California Community Colleges Classified Senate (4CS) Leadership Conference for the past few years has given me new ideas and insight regarding things we can do here to be a more effective college and staff.

Served as Union steward, Benefits committee for SEIU, Hiring committee My interest for Classified Senate came about when I wanted changes in our campus. I know if I wanted to see changes I had to be part of the process. Also I was encouraged by my fellow workers to be a member of the Senate so their voices could be heard. I take this position seriously and look forward to working closely with other members.

I came to West Valley College as an adult re-entry student in 1997. I began working at Student Health Services and Community Education in various part-time positions in 1998 and became a full-time classified staff member in 2002. I value very highly the concept of collaboration, and I strive to recognize and utilize our collaborative efforts whenever possible. I also value the sharing and dissemination of information, so one of my goals this year is to bring our Senate information out to our constituents. On the personal side, I teach and coach cross country skiing and prepare participants for a season of training and fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, including the completion of a cross country ski marathon. On the professional side, I completed a Masters program in Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco in August 2007. I am presently collecting hours of experience for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

I have worked with West Valley College since 1995, in the Economic and Workforce Development Programs. I feel the decision making process goes smoothly when there is commitment from all concerned parties. Classified involvement and participation is essential to the progress of the college and achievements of the students. I welcome the opportunity to serve on the Senate and sharing information with my colleagues. My Master's Degree in Psychology from John F. Kennedy University provides me with the opportunity to pursue counseling hours toward obtaining my full license as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

   

   

My work at WVC started in 1997 as a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Career Programs Center. I moved over to the Office of Instruction in 2006.  In my current position, I have enjoyed obtaining a wider view of the extraordinary instructional areas and programs on this campus. I have served on the WVC Classified Senate for about ten years and was the Classified Senate President from 2000 to 2002. I strongly believe in the value and importance of the classified staff's perspective. The Classified Senate serves as the conduit for that perspective in the decisions that affect how the college operates and serves its students. I enjoy keeping my creative side energized through my "other job" of being a potter -- working with clay on a wheel and coming up with new designs for functional pottery.