Greetings, West Valley College!
I hope everyone is finding some time to enjoy the summer whether you are working on campus supporting students and programs or taking full advantage of summer break.
The month of June is coming to an end and July is just around the corner. I recently walked in a Pride Parade, celebrated Juneteenth with family and friends, and addressed this year’s student cohort for the City of Saratoga’s Youth Government Leadership Program. As the 4th of July nears, I am reminded of how important our choices are in creating our community and the lived reality we aspire to individually and collectively. Working day-in and day-out with all of you is a eudemonic experience—I am constantly inspired as I see strength in our diversity, in our wide-ranging backgrounds, and the uniqueness of our perspectives. I hope we all can take time this summer to reflect on and enjoy our many blessings, both personal and professional.
Here are a few midsummer updates:
Administrator Hires
We are excited to welcome to the West Valley College leadership team Dr. John Ulloa, Dean of the School of Language Arts & Social Science, Erika Vargas, Dean of Health and Human Development, and newcomer to our West Valley Community, Mark Manrose, Director of Continuing Education. Please take time to say hello and congratulate them on their new roles at West Valley community when you see them walking around campus!
Summer Leadership Retreat
We kicked off our education master plan refocus and climate survey discussion at the summer leadership retreat on June 12 and 13. The retreat was organized around a theme of 3Cs—Cohesion, Collegiality, and Coherence. The West Valley College Summer Leadership Retreat brought together more than fifty campus leaders including faculty, classified professionals, students, and administrators to elucidate our collective vision in moving our institution forward.
From retreat “pre-work” reading assignments such as the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership to focused daily workshops—for example, “Elevate Your Leadership: Crafting a Vision-Driven Approach to Prevent Burnout and Lead with Love”—West Valley values and our emphasis on cultivating thoughtful, compassionate leaders who prioritize working toward a strategic, unified vision shone through. Insights into sustaining excellence while avoiding professional fatigue were also embedded in the agenda. Diverse presenters included West Valley subject matter experts, Stanford Graduate School of Business faculty, and the first Oprah Magazine O! Visionary honoree.
Through interactive sessions, panel discussions, and introspective exercises, retreat participants gained tools and strategies to elevate their leadership skills, recommit to the College's mission and values, and translate aspirations into actionable commitments for West Valley College's continued success.
All-College Day
We are looking forward to All-College Day on August 23. Dr. Michelle Francis has been working diligently to coordinate a day filled with fun, play, and camaraderie. WVC will host its inaugural All-College Day Pickleball | Grand Slam Semester Tournament! Please join us and bring your A-Game to represent our college community!
WVC Reads: One Book, One Community
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Warner Klemp.
This academic year the college will launch One Book, One Community. No matter our roles, we are all leaders in a variety of different ways. Participants in the summer leadership retreat recommended making 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership available to our college community. The book centers on increasing one’s self-awareness and gives strategies for effective leadership at all levels through adopting specific commitments that promote conscious decision-making, accountability, and collaborative relationships. The college will discuss and reflect on the book for the academic year as we come together to realize how best to express and integrate true solidarity and purpose into our college system. Copies of 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership will be available for free in school offices, Student Services, and the President’s Office beginning in early August. Please stay tuned for more details.
Summer 60th Events
West Valley continues celebrating our 60th with fun, joy, and family-friendly events this summer. I hope you can participate in the festivities. We are hosting a drive-in movie for the community featuring Walt Disney’s 1964 classic Mary Poppins on Friday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. Please enjoy complimentary food, sweets, and other treats! The movie begins at sunset around 8:45 p.m.
On Thursday, July 11 from 2-4 p.m., check out the 60th Splash Pool Party & Mocktails, West Valley College pool for a summertime celebration. Connect with colleagues and enjoy music, and refreshments including gourmet popsicles, summer fruit, and mocktails! Open swimming is optional.
Last, but definitely not least, we are kicking off our signature Tour de Saratoga: Race to Raise. Grab your bikes and join us for a 10k (approx. 6.8 miles) community ride through the streets of Saratoga. Celebrate your ride afterward at our on-campus post-ride fun zone including food trucks, chair massages, and bike tune-ups. The event will be held on Saturday, July 27, with a 7 a.m. arrival and 9 a.m. race time.
President’s Walking Open Office Hours
As many of you may know, I love to walk the campus. My walking office hours are Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please contact Elizabeth%20Tablan to schedule a 30-minute time slot.
Also, please visit the Office of the President webpage to stay connected and to review President’s Communications.
I hope to see you this summer on campus or in the community!
In community,
Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D.
