DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE (June 2020): CVHEC e-Newsletter Inaugural Issue

Sharing highlights and successes

of our CVHEC member institutions

Greetings! I am happy to welcome you to the inaugural issue of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) digital newsletter.

CVHEC represents 27 colleges and universities in the nine-county region of the Central Valley from San Joaquin County in the north to Kern County in the south.  I am delighted that we can use this forum to share highlights and successes of our member institutions with you as planning for the 2020-21 academic year is underway.

As we approach the fall 2020 semester, our member institutions, led by dedicated and committed leaders, have been contemplating and planning opening the fall semester in the midst of a national pandemic, a state budget negatively impacted by the pandemic and the civil unrest in many parts of our country due to the tragic deaths of African American citizens George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Rayshard Brooks.  Students, faculty and staff can expect to experience an opening that will ensure a high-quality educational experience that will also provide for the safety of all.

As you make your way through our newsletter, we take the opportunity to introduce you to Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, the newly appointed Chancellor of the University of California Merced.  Dr. Muñoz comes to the Central Valley from the University of Houston, Downtown Campus and is returning home as a native Californian.

We also ask that you join us in congratulating CVHEC member California Health Sciences University (CHSU) for the historic opening of its College of Osteopathic Medicine on July 21, 2020, with an inaugural class of 75 medical students.  CHSU has a mission to recruit and train Central Valley students in their university.  Of the initial cohort of students, 28% are from the Central Valley and 35% speak Spanish, both important for our valley.  Thank you CHSU for your commitment to our region and its communities.

Finally, we highlight work of highly talented faculty and administrators in the Central Valley region surrounding the benefit of dual enrollment to Central Valley high school students and offer a glimpse of that effort through a report titled, “Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley, Working Toward a Unified Approach for Equity and Prosperity.”

In addition to this work, we want to thank AT&T for its generous contribution to advance our dual enrollment efforts with a $25,000 donation to benefit CVHEC’s dual enrollment work to increase post-secondary completion in Fresno County.

I hope you enjoy this issue of our digital newsletter and those coming in the months to come.

Benjamin T. Duran, Ed.D
Executive Director

Dr. Benjamin T. Duran, President-Emeritus of Merced Community College District (2005-2012), has served as CVHEC executive director since 2015.

CVHEC White Paper Released: ‘Dual Enrollment in the Central Valley: Working Toward a Unified Approach for Equity and Prosperity’

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium announces two significant developments in our ongoing dual enrollment strategies:

  • An award of a $25,000 donation from AT&T in June 2020 to benefit CVHEC’s dual enrollment efforts. These funds will support the work identified in the report.

In Spring 2019, Central Valley community college leaders approached CVHEC to provide convening assistance surrounding dual enrollment, a strategy that allows secondary school students to earn college credits before their high school graduation.

As a result of the discussions in these early gatherings, a dual enrollment task force was formed. Participating leaders appropriately named their effort the Central Valley Dual Enrollment for Equity and Prosperity (CVDEEP).

The task force has endeavored purposefully and strategically in addressing the complexity of dual enrollment to spotlight both challenges and best practices for colleges and high schools in the nine-county CVHEC region.

The 16-page CVDEEP report, compiled by CVHEC Strategies Lead Virginia Madrid Salazar, J.D., highlights this work and provides a blueprint to strengthen dual enrollment delivery in the Central Valley.

“CVHEC’s dual enrollment efforts will be bolstered by the generous AT&T donation received this month,” said Dr. Ben Duran, CVHEC Executive Director. “We appreciate this partnership which is AT&T’s way of acknowledging and encouraging CVHEC’s hard work to help more Central Valley students attain a higher education.”

See the report here. 

See the 2020 CVDEEP Convening.

Central Valley’s new medical school opens July 21 with 75 students

Central Valley’s new medical school opens July 21 with 75 students

CHSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine granted pre-accreditation; virtual ribbon-cutting June 30

With its new pre-accreditation status in order, California Health Sciences University announced its grand opening for the Central Valley’s new medical school, the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM), will be July 21 when instruction begins for its inaugural class of 75 medical students.

As the university finalizes preparations to open its new state-of-the-art, three-story medical school building located at 2500 Alluvial Avenue in Clovis, a virtual ribbon-cutting video will post at 11 a.m. June 30 and can be seen on CHSU’s social media platforms after that.

The university also announced recently that the college has met all standards and requirements for Pre-Accreditation status by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.

“Pre-Accreditation is a milestone achievement and the highest level awarded to COMs that have not yet graduated their first class,” said Dr.  John Graneto, COM dean, in his accreditation announcement June 10.  “We are encouraged by the diversity of the initial cohort and the representation by Central Valley students.”

Founded in 2012 and envisioned by the Assemi family, CHSU is addressing the shortage of healthcare providers in the Valley amidst statewide projections showing that California will need 8,800 more physicians by 2030 to serve healthcare needs.

“It’s gratifying to see California Health Sciences University fast-tracking its growth and trajectory toward becoming a nationally recognized institution and to help remedy this long-standing problem,” said Dr. John Welty, President Emeritus of Fresno State and chair of the CHSU Board of Trustees, when he wrote about the valley’s new medical school in several local newspapers recently.

Dr. Welty is also a founding member of CVHEC.

Dr. Graneto said 75 percent of the inaugural 2020 cohort are from California and 28 percent are local students from the Central Valley.

“Sixteen different languages are spoken by this diverse group of students, which is critical to help bridge the language barrier that many underserved populations experience when seeking health care,” Dr. Graneto said. “35 percent of the class speaks Spanish.”

In January, the CHSU-COM leadership, faculty and staff moved into the new facility following an expedited 18-month campus expansion project that was prepped and ready for students before the COVID-19 shelter in place orders were enacted.

CHSU opened the first pharmacy school in the Central Valley in 2014. Dr. Graneto also added that recruitment is now underway for the second cohort that will begin in fall 2021.

See video of the CHSU virtual ribbon-cutting June 30 at 11 a.m. on the university’s social media platforms.

The new College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM) building on the California Health Sciences University campus at 2500 Alluvial Avenue in Clovis, CA.
 The emergency/intensive care unit in the in-patient wing of the new CHSU Simulation Center on the CHSU campus.
The first floor main lobby of the new College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM). The second floor showcases some of the student rooms and areas for CHSU-COM medical students.
The CHSU-COM Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Laboratory.
The operating/birthing room in the in-patient wing of the CHSU Simulation Center on the CHSU campus.
The Deans’ Suite and conference room on the third floor of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM).

Valley higher education leaders discuss ‘COVID-19’ plans for fall semester

Valley higher education leaders discuss ‘COVID-19’ plans for fall semester

(JUNE 26, 2020) – The Central Valley’s 27 college and university presidents and chancellors reported today that
most of them will resume the remote education environment they implemented in the spring semester when the
coronavirus pandemic swept the world.

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) board of directors met Friday morning via Zoom to share
their respective fall 2020 campus plans.

Overall, remote instruction will continue as a necessity to keep students, faculty and staff safe until a COVID-19
vaccine is available, said Dr. Benjamin T. Duran, executive director of CVHEC, a non-profit organization
representing a 27-member strong consortium of accredited public and private colleges, universities, and
community college district members from San Joaquin to Kern counties.

“Some campuses will use a hybrid of remote and in-person courses for certain cases such as required labs,” said
Duran, who also is President Emeritus of Merced College. “All campuses will continue to practice COVID-19 safety
protocols as recommended by local health departments, California Department of Public Health and Centers for
Disease Control for on-campus instruction and for those working on campuses.”

Today’s call was similar to other calls the presidents and chancellors have shared throughout the COVID-19 crisis,
and have helped to stabilize educational delivery in the Central Valley during this academic upheaval. The CVHEC
Board COVID-19 meetings have given the presidents and chancellors an opportunity to reflect and confer on the
decisions being made throughout this crisis.

“As they have done on many issues in the past, these CEOs are pulling together to make sure their current
students’ academic needs and general well-being, as well as faculty and staff, are not compromised,” Duran said.

See the CVHEC COVID-19 resources page with links to each campus update.

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) is a 501(c)3 incorporated non-profit organization comprised of all 27 accredited public and private colleges, universities, and community college district members in California’s Central Valley nine-county region (San Joaquin to Kern counties). CVHEC serves as the convener and executes the policy objectives of the CVHEC Board that is made up of the presidents, chancellors and other administrators of these institutions of higher education. A key CVHEC objective is to increase the Central Valley’s degree attainment rate. The organization also works closely with legislative leaders as an advocate for the higher education policy positions of the CVHEC board).

 

Dr. Duran was invited to participate in “Línea Abierta” to discuss the local impact. Hear a Radio Bilingue interview with Dr. Ben Duran (Spanish) : Starts at 46:10

UC Merced’s new leader is son of Mexican immigrants

UC Merced’s new leader is son of Mexican immigrants

The son of immigrants from México has been given the job as the fourth chancellor of UC Merced, the youngest and fastest-growing of the UC’s 10 campuses.

Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, 53, whose appointment was approved by the University of California Board of Regents on Wednesday (May 20), returns to the UC family where he and his wife each earned bachelor’s and doctorate degrees.

He served as president of the University of Houston-Downtown since 2017, where he launched the university’s largest capital campaign and oversaw increases in enrollment, retention and graduation rates. The campus has an enrollment of about 15,000.

He previously worked at Texas Tech University in Lubbock as a vice provost and senior vice president.

The chance to be “four hours from my mother” and closer to family was a draw,” said Muñoz.

His mother, who grew up in La Estancia, Zacatecas, México, never stepped inside a classroom. His father, who picked grapes in the Valley after arriving from León, Guanajuato, México, later settled in Los Angeles as a factory worker.

Muñoz remains the only one of six children to have earned a college degree. He is the youngest of three boys.

“What I learned from my parents is integrity, ethics to work hard and to understand your obligación to your family,” said Muñoz during a telephone interview from Houston on Thursday.

UC President Janet Napolitano praised Muñoz’s accomplishments as a “testament to the power and opportunities created by public higher education.

“I am certain he will build on his valuable experience to lead Merced, UC’s newest campus,” said Napolitano in a statement, “so that it continues to grow and thrive.”

News of Muñoz’s appointment was welcomed by Valley education leaders, including Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro, who spent time in a leadership position at UC Merced.

“His unique skill set and life experiences prepare him well for this vitally important leadership position,” said Castro. “Dr. Sánchez Muñoz and I have already begun discussing strategies to strengthen the partnership between UC Merced and Fresno State in service to the Central Valley and California.”

Benjamín Durán is executive director of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, a 27-member organization of accredited public and private colleges, universities, and community college district members in the San Joaquín Valley.

“I have received phone calls from colleagues who are very interested in welcoming him and supporting him and doing everything that we possibly can,” said Durán. “I think it is it is a wonderful, wonderful tribute that we now have two Latinos leading two of our leading institutions here in the Central Valley.

“I just think that it is a sign of the times. And they are both very, very, very well qualified and very, very good for their selections, obviously.”

John A. Pérez, the former state Assembly Speaker and now chair of the UC Board of Regents, said Muñoz’s experience and qualifications made him “an outstanding choice to lead UC Merced.”

“Add to that his passion for ensuring the success of all students, especially public school students from underrepresented and underserved communities, and it is clear that he is the perfect match for UC Merced as the campus moves forward on its impressive journey,” said Pérez in a press release.

Muñoz, a former Marine Corps sergeant, said it is up to UC Merced and other partners to improve educational attainment levels in the Valley that are stubbornly lower than most of the state.

A 2018 study showed that between 20 percent and 30 percent of adults over the age of 25 in the Valley did not have a high school diploma. That also results in overall lower average wages and income.

“If we fail to educate students in K-12, very few of them can matriculate to higher education,” he said.

Education, he said, is the only ticket out of poverty. Attorneys, doctors, anesthesiologists, many elected officials, bankers, investment officers, superintendents, and principals all have a higher education in common, he said.

“For me, it became very important to make a contribution to working-class people and working-class families to continue their education, to improve not just their economic vitality but the impact they can make on their community, ” said Muñoz, who will assume his new position in July.

Muñoz, an all-league football defensive end at Salesian High School in L.A., will step into a job where higher education funding cuts are a certainty because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I haven’t been read into the discussions that have taken place on campus, or relative to the budget,” said Muñoz. “So, speaking about those particular points at this time would be a bit premature.”

UC Merced, which opened in 2005, had an enrollment of 8,151 this school year with 55.5 per cent of them Latino. The university was designated an Hispanic Serving Institute in 2010, the second UC campus to get that status by having at least a 25 percent Latino enrollment.

The campus is expected to accommodate 10,000 more students after the completion of Merced 2020, a public-private partnership that will double capacity.

Muñoz earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at California State, Fullerton; a bachelor’s in psychology from UC Santa Bárbara; a master’s in Mexican-American Studies at Cal State Los Angeles; and, a doctorate of philosophy from UCLA.

He has worked as a secondary school teacher, community college adviser, and, instructor.

Muñoz succeeds Dorothy Leland, whose mother was Latina, as chancellor. He becomes only the third Latino to serve as chancellor at a UC campus.

Muñoz’s wife is Dr. Zenaida Aguirre-Muñoz, another first-generation college graduate. She is an associate professor of psychology, health, and learning sciences of the University of Houston.

The couple has three sons.

The regents approved his salary at $425,000.

 

Original story can be found at:https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/education/uc-merced/article242908566.html

Governor Newsom Announces Appointments

Governor Newsom Announces Appointments 5.18.20

Published: 

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

Jennifer Norris, 51, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy secretary for biodiversity and habitat at the California Natural Resources Agency. Norris has served as fish and wildlife administrator for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service since 2013, where she was deputy field supervisor from 2011 to 2013, assistant field supervisor from 2010 to 2011, critical habitat coordinator from 2009 to 2010, Rio Grande ESA coordinator from 2006 to 2009 and fish and wildlife biologist from 2004 to 2006. She was a biologist at the New Mexico State Land Office from 2001 to 2004. Norris earned a Doctor of Biological Sciences degree in ecology from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Science degree in conservation biology from the University of Michigan. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $167,004. Norris is a Democrat.

Ted Craddock, 53, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed deputy director of the State Water Project at the California Department of Water Resources, where he has served as the acting deputy director since 2019. Craddock has served in multiple other positions at the California Department of Water Resources since 1994, including assistant deputy director of the State Water Project, project manager of Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery, chief of utility operations for the Hydropower License Office, program manager of the East Branch Extension, advisor to the State Water Project deputy director, and civil engineer. Craddock is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the United States Society on Dams. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $196,932. Craddock is registered without party preference.

Ellen Junn, 62, of Turlock, has been appointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Junn has been president of California State University, Stanislaus since 2016. She was provost and vice president for academic affairs at California State University, Dominguez Hills from 2014 to 2016. Junn was provost and vice president for academic affairs at San Jose State University from 2012 to 2013. She was associate provost at Fresno State University from 2008 to 2011. Junn is an executive steering member of the Millennium Leadership Initiative — part of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), a member of the board of directors of California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, an executive committee member of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium, and a member of ITHAKA Higher Ed Insights, American Psychological Association, and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She earned Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts degrees in cognitive and developmental psychology from Princeton University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Junn is a Democrat.

Robert Shireman, 58, of Berkeley, has been appointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Shireman has been senior fellow and director of higher education excellence at the Century Foundation since 2015. He was executive director at California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy from 2010 to 2015. Shireman was deputy undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Education from 2009 to 2010. He was president of the Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) from 2004 to 2009.  Shireman was senior fellow at the Program on Education and Society, Aspen Institute from 2003 to 2004. He was program director for higher education at the James Irvine Foundation from 1998 to 2002 and was senior policy advisor at the National Economic Council from 1996 to 1998. He was education advisor and legislative director for United States Senator Paul Simon from 1989 to 1996. Shireman was a policy analyst at the West Coast Regional Office for the Consumers Union of the United States, Inc. from 1986 to 1988. He earned a Master of Education degree from Harvard University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of San Francisco. Shireman is a member of the boards of the Opportunity Institute and uAspire. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Shireman is a Democrat.

Sara Barth, 51, of Pleasanton, has been appointed to the State Park and Recreation Commission. Barth has been executive director of the Sempervirens Fund since 2016. She held multiple positions at the Wilderness Society from 2003 to 2016, including, senior regional director for the Pacific and Southwest Regions, vice president for regional conservation, and California/Nevada Director. She was a legislative assistant to United States Senator Barbara Boxer from 2000 to 2003, legislative representative for the Endangered Habitats Team at the National Wildlife Federation from 1996 to 2000 and conservation fellow at the World Wildlife Fund from 1994 to 1996. She is a member of Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders and the California League of Conservation Voters. Barth earned a Master of Science degree in conservation biology and natural resource policy from the University of Michigan. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Barth is a Democrat.

Asma Mahdi, 37, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the State Park and Recreation Commission. Mahdi has been policy director at the Better World Group since 2019. She was communications manager at the UCLA Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research / Sustainable LA Grand Challenge from 2016 to 2019, executive director and communications director at Green Muslims from 2014 to 2018, outreach and communications specialist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program from 2012 to 2016 and coastal cleanup day coordinator at Heal the Bay in 2011. She earned a Master of Environmental Science and Management degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Mahdi is registered without party preference.

Katherine Toy, 51, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the State Park and Recreation Commission. Toy has been executive vice president of partnerships and programs at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy since 2017. She was associate director for alumni volunteer engagement at Stanford Alumni Association/Stanford University from 2007 to 2017, program director at San Francisco School Volunteers from 2005 to 2007 and executive director at the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation from 2000 to 2004.  She was assistant director of the Stanford Alumni Association from 1998 to 2000, teacher and director of student activities for the Las Lomitas School District from 1995 to 1997, intern teacher at Carlmont High School/Sequoia Union High School District from 1994 to 1995 and teacher at the Bryn Mawr School from 1991 to 1994. Toy earned a Master of Arts degree in education from Stanford University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Toy is a Democrat.

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Original post can be found at:https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/05/18/governor-newsom-announces-appointments-5-18-20/

CVHEC Zoom Conference: Delivering Online/Remote Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Media Advisory

March 27, 2020 —

WHAT: CVHEC Zoom Conference:

Delivering Online/Remote Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As Central Valley colleges undertake the monumental effort to convert all class sessions to online platforms — in some instances, doing in 10 days what would normally take months — the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) will host a special Zoom webinar featuring course program specialists from The Charles A. Dana Center at University of Texas at Austin facilitating a Virtual Teaching Transition conversation and Q&A.

Central Valley faculty who have taken on a leadership role on their campuses will also share their online expertise with college faculty and administrators representing CVHEC member institutions.

Media representatives are invited to log on and monitor the conference call either for story coverage and/or to get an inside look at one way the Central Valley region (San Joaquin County to Kern County) is  addressing the monumental transition from face-to-face instruction to virtual instruction brought on by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

 
WHEN: Monday, March 30, 2020 (7:30 – 9:00 a.m.)
WHERE: Zoom online — Media interested in observing the videoconference, please reply to tom@uribes.com for the URL access.
WHO: Audience: Approximately 50 higher ed institution educators representing Central Valley universities, private and public colleges and community college districts.

Presenters: Central Valley Higher Education Consortium featuring Joan Zoeller and Paula Talley, from The Charles A. Dana Center of the University of Texas at Austin.
HOW: Zoom Open Forum by invitation to 27 CVHEC-member Institutions
WHY: The Central Valley presidents and chancellors, who make up the CVHEC Board of Directors, have mobilized CHVEC to host a Zoom informational session for their respective institution’s representatives assisting faculty in developing and delivering online education. This session demonstrates one of many activities underway to transform higher education from face-to-face learning to remote learning and ensuring their faculty are best prepared for the transition. Some institutions, like Fresno Pacific and Porterville Community College, were on Spring Break during the Governor’s call to shelter in place so students came back from break to find their classes converted. Remote learning will continue through summer and fall.

In response to COVID-19 safety concerns, Central California higher education leaders are connecting virtually via CVHEC to help stabilize their students’ higher education pursuits asthey face unprecedented challenges in light of the health pandemic.
BACKGROUND: Original press release:  www.cvhec.org/covid19-032520
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CVHEC/      Twitter:   @CVHEC_
MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Uribes • (559) 348.3278 •  tom@uribes.com

Central California college students v. COVID-19 — Central Valley college presidents unite for joint strategies through higher ed consortium

Central California college students v. COVID-19

Central Valley college presidents unite for joint strategies through higher ed consortium

 

(March 24, 2020) – As the COVID-19 crisis disrupts daily life throughout the world including college campus life, Central California higher education leaders are virtually connecting via the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) to help stabilize their students’ pursuit for higher education especially as they shift to online classroom environments.

In Zoom videoconferencing over the last two weeks, the presidents and chancellors of the 27 CVHEC-member accredited public and private colleges, universities and community college districts from San Joaquin to Kern counties have met to share strategies and challenges they face in light of the current pandemic. These presidents and chancellors make up the CVHEC Board of Directors.

“On these calls, presidents and chancellors have shared some resources that consortium member colleges and universities can use with their faculty and staff to address the need to move to a virtual platform for delivering instruction,” said Dr. Benjamin T. Duran, CVHEC executive director and Merced Community College president-emeritus.

The CVHEC board usually meets quarterly to strategize to increase the nine-county region’s certificate and degree attainment rates and to advocate for equity-driven strategies that reduce disparities in student persistence and completion rates, but recently mobilized CVHEC as a resource and called two emergency sessions — March 13 and 19 — to collaborate on COVID-19 response measures.

They have agreed to meet via Zoom weekly in response to the deadly Coronavirus outbreak that has spread swiftly throughout the world, Duran said.  The next is scheduled for Friday, March 27.

“The leadership of valley institutions of higher ed are uniting together with a common goal: to help provide calm and stability for students, faculty and staff during this upheaval in their lives,” Duran said after the CVHEC board’s second emergency session last Thursday.  “They want to assure students that we all are doing everything we can to find valid solutions and deliver the higher education they expect while helping flatten the curve against the coronavirus outbreak. The ultimate goal is to help all to remain safe and healthy.”

In addition to the weekly CVHEC Board COVID-19 Zoom meetings, the consortium will present a Zoom webinar next week, March 30, featuring experienced online faculty from the various colleges thrust into the role of online mentor to support fellow faculty members as they transition to a virtual classroom.

Like many other convenings (usually live) hosted by CVHEC, this webinar highlights the unique role CVHEC provides. Founded in 2002 under the leadership of then-Fresno State President John D. Welty to increase higher education participation in the region, CVHEC today serves the presidents, chancellors and other administrators of public and independent colleges and universities in California’s Central Valley that provide higher education services to over 4 million persons.

And, while the public sees that their local colleges transition to remote instruction in response to COVID-19 including some canceling major events like commencement celebrations, many more challenges are presented behind the scenes as the institutions seek to help students find a balance between earning a degree and navigating this public health crisis.

At the first meeting held March 13, requested by Merced Community College President Chris Vitelli, the CEOs briefed each other on their respective campus’ status up to that point and CVHEC compiled a list of links to each campus COVID-19 web page to share ideas and resources (see below).

Through CVHEC’s technical support contractor, The Charles A. Dana Center at University of Texas at Austin, online resources have been made available to CVHEC-member institutions. Resources include white papers and other teaching tools with such titles as “How to Help Students Keep Learning Through a Disruption,” “9 Resources for When Coronavirus Moves Your Course Online,” “Teaching Effectively During Times of Disruption,” and “Preparing for Emergency Online Teaching.”

At the March 19 Zoom Meeting, requested by San Joaquin Delta College President Omid Pourzanjani, the CEOs updated their rapidly changing status and shared challenges such as:

  • Online/remote – Preparing students and faculty for the online environment. Face to face instruction is a preferred mode of learning, but in the new environment everyone is challenged with learning the new modality. Faculty already experienced with teaching online for some time are rising to the occasion as leaders to serve as online mentors. Students are also being provided tutorials on how to learn online.
  • Crisis-relevant programs – Community colleges are key to providing nursing, police, fire and EMT training and certification. Online training for these programs is a challenge and the colleges are keeping these programs running by request of the institutions (hospitals, police departments, cities) that are in need of the qualified work force. The colleges are working to re-arrange calendars or implementing creative solutions;
  • Laptops – Colleges have found that laptops orders are backlogged by a few months and they seek support from each other for large volume purchasing arrangements resulting in lower unit costs and expedient delivery to better meet student needs.
  • Wi-Fi Hotspots – Online classes require more Wi-Fi access. Some campuses have extended their capacity to their school parking lots for Wi-Fi access, especially in rural communities where broadband is scarce. Several have purchased additional hotspots, such as Fresno State’s order for 1,500 hotspots with plans to order more.
  • Commencement – cancellations of graduation celebrations have already been announced at the three California State University campuses in the valley wide consortium (Bakersfield, Fresno and Stanislaus), as well as UC Merced and Fresno Pacific University while community colleges are reviewing options. Some are exploring other ways to celebrate their students’ academic achievements.

Duran said this ongoing collaboration by the  leaders of the valley’s academic institutions during such a crisis is inspiring:  “As they have done on many issues in the past, these CEOs are pulling together to make sure their current students’ academic needs and general well-being, as well as faculty and staff, are not compromised.”

Additional information and CVHEC updates are available at www.cvhec.org or Facebook or Twitter (@CVHEC_).

 

MEDIA NOTE: A list of links showing how the Central Valley’s colleges are responding to the COVID-19 crisis is provided below.  For follow up or for a media availability with Dr. Ben Duran, please call/text Tom Uribes at 559.348.3278 or tom@uribes.com).

ABOUT CVHEC — The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC) is a 501(c)3 incorporated non-profit organization comprised of accredited public and private colleges, universities, and community college district members. CVHEC serves as the convener and facilitator of technical support experts as needed by members and executes the policy objectives of the CVHEC Board that is made up of presidents, chancellors and other administrators of all public and independent colleges and universities in California’s Central Valley. A key objective is to increase the Central Valley’s degree attainment. The organization also works closely with legislative leaders as an advocate for the higher education policy positions of the CVHEC board such as state legislation ordered in the California Community Colleges (AB 705) and system mandates in the California State University system (Executive Order 1110) that are forecast to create equitable opportunities for students (especially among Latino and Black students).


CVHEC Members COVID-19 Update Websites

Stan State, Merced College celebrate improved transfer program

Stan State, Merced College celebrate improved transfer program

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stanislaus State and Merced College signed a historical agreement on Friday, Feb. 21, at the Merced College amphitheater. The agreement — which will ease the transfer process for Merced College students who plan to attend California State University, Stanislaus — symbolizes a renewed support of educational success between the two institutions.

The “Warriors on the Way” celebration began as Chris Vitelli, president of Merced College, took the stage to welcome students, faculty, and community members in attendance.

“This is a very exciting opportunity and event for both of our institutions,” he began. “This will provide the streamlined support and wrap-around services for our students that want to transfer to our largest receiving institution, Stanislaus.”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Vitelli and Ellen Junn, president of CSU Stanislaus, permanently acknowledging the agreement. The partnership will allow Merced College students guaranteed priority admission to Stan State when they complete their Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) at Merced College and meet all application deadlines.

“This is an agreement that can be seen as a renewal of our commitment to work together and further cements the relationship that began when Merced College was established 58 years ago,” Junn said.

As Merced College provides Stanislaus State with the greatest student admission, it is only seen fit for the two institutions of higher education to work together to provide better resources for their students.

The program will not only make the transfer process run smoother, but will also provide the Central Valley with more educated residents as the years roll out. As the population grows in both Merced and Stanislaus Counties, a greater transfer and graduation population can be predicted for both schools.

“We recognize the tremendous partnership between two institutions that believe in the future of many of the students that are here, and the hundreds of thousands in this community that will benefit from the relationship that we have been forging over the last several years,” Vitelli continued.

The MOU calls for a counselor at each campus, guaranteed up to 32 hours per week, that will be available to the disposal of its transfer students. This role will be beneficial as students are made aware of the different opportunities that are available to them at the Stan State campus.

Briana Sanchez, a Merced College student graduating in the fall, stood at the podium as she emphasized how important the Warriors on the Way program currently is for her.

“I am a first generation college graduate,” Sanchez began. “I had to learn my own steps. Learning everything on my own wasn’t easy. Many people told me I shouldn’t apply to transfer out of Merced College because it wasn’t going to happen for me.”

Thanks to determination and the Warriors on the Way program, Sanchez says she is now able to see her dreams within reach. Sanchez will be graduating with her ADT in communications, social and behavioral psychology, and administrative and office professional.

“Thanks to Merced College and Stanislaus, I am now a Warrior on the Way,” Sanchez concluded.

 

 

The original post can be found at https://mercedcountytimes.com/stan-state-merced-college-celebrate-improved-transfer-program/

Central Valley Community College Leaders Form Caucus to Advocate for Full Funding

Central Valley Community College Leaders Form Caucus to Advocate for Full Funding

FEBRUARY 26, 2020

When the California Economic Summit was held in Fresno late in 2019, it helped shine the light on the need for more investment in services in inland California.

State legislators can expect to hear more from some Central Valley community college leaders due to shortfalls after a new statewide funding formula was put in place. Concerned about the impact on their work, the college leaders decided to organize a caucus.

The Student-Centered Funding Formula (SCFF), covering all of the California Community Colleges, was intended to provide additional resources to districts serving large numbers of low-income and disadvantaged students and districts experiencing high graduation and transfer rates. This move to fund student success was one of the core commitments of the Colleges’ Vision for Success, pairing high expectations with high support.

“The community colleges have a simple goal—put the students first. For many of our students in the Central Valley, they are the first of their families to attend college. If we are going to be successful in lifting them up and into California’s middle class—it makes no sense to reduce investments now,” said Dr. Stu Van Horn, CEO of the West Hills Community College District. “We believe drawing attention to this shortfall through our caucus will help us make the case that our students deserve the attention and investment of their peers elsewhere in California.”

A full one-fourth of this statewide funding shortfall occurred within the Central Valley: $27 million in unrealized funding. All community college districts in the Central Valley have been underfunded to some degree, according to a letter issued by the community college leaders:

  • Kern Community College District ($10.5 million underfunded)
  • West Hills Community College District ($4.7 million underfunded [10% of operating budget])
  • Merced Community College District ($4.2 million underfunded)
  • Yosemite Community College District ($3.0 million underfunded)
  • Sequoias Community College District ($2.1 million underfunded)
  • State Center Community College District ($1.4 million underfunded)
  • West Kern Community College District ($0.5 million underfunded)
  • San Joaquin Delta Community College District ($0.3 million underfunded)

The Central Valley Community College Caucus, composed of CEOs, is calling for fiscal stability for the districts and the future viability of the funding formula:

  1. Allocating state general funds to backfill any remaining shortfall in apportionment funding to community college districts for 2018-19
  2. Ensuring the Student-Centered Funding Formula is fully funded for future years by authorizing adjustments to state General Fund apportionment to match the true cost of the SCF.

The leaders say these measures will contribute to fiscal stability for districts and the future viability of the funding formula as a tool for California Community Colleges to carry out the goals of the Vision for Success and help California stay competitive.

“Our first unified message of advocacy for the funding formula is being distributed to all members of the San Joaquin Valley delegation, as well as selected other individuals and entities,” Dr. Van Horn wrote.  “West Hills continues to spearhead collaboration among the region’s colleges, and I remain committed to stand shoulder to shoulder with you to ultimately improve the funding formula to align with the state’s Vision for Success.”

The California Economic Summit’s vast network continues to work on leading and promoting regional, inclusive strategies in advance of the 2020 Summit scheduled for Monterey on December 3 and 4. Read more about the Summit’s priorities in the 2020 Roadmap to Shared Prosperity, including lifelong learning strategies that will help prepare the workforce of tomorrow.

 

 

The original post can be found at https://cafwd.org/reporting/entry/central-valley-community-college-leaders-form-caucus-to-advocate-for-full-f

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