April 2019
BOARD REPORTS
Board members lauded the workshop on Grossmont College Career Services and the Regional Strong Workforce Program presented by Marsha Gable, Vice President of Student Services; Courtney Williams, Associate Dean of Student Services and SSSP; Renee Nasori, Career Services Supervisor; Martha Clavelle, Dean of Counseling Services, and Sally Cox, CEO of the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges.

The workshop highlighted transformations in Grossmont College’s Career Services to help students meet their ultimate goal in attending college: to obtain the knowledge and skills for a quality career. First-time and re-entry students receive customized help in linking their majors to potential careers, preparing for post-graduation job searches, and finding immediate jobs and student internships.

New services include community and classroom outreach, career ambassadors, employer mixers, and an on-line job board. The Regional Strong Workforce Program has made over $1 million in strategic investments to support the college’s Career Services and work-based learning programs to help them serve students.

Board Member Debbie Justeson said the presentation was a powerful demonstration of what the colleges offer students as they prepare for a career. She expressed appreciation that jobs are being offered to students while they are in college, because many need the money while going to school.

Board Member Bill Garrett described the changes in the Career Services as transformational for students. He voiced appreciation for Grossmont College’s spring Culinary Arts Dinner and theater performance of Spring Awakening, adding that he had seen many productions of this play, and this was among the very best.

Board Member Brad Monroe also expressed appreciation for the impressive Career Services. He noted that the internship program will give students a good opportunity to try out a career choice while still in college.

Board Member Elena Adams praised a KGTV report featuring Grossmont College’s online education resources efforts.

Cuyamaca College Student Trustee Kyrie Macogay reported on recent events she attended, including events as part of Middle Eastern Heritage Month at the college.

Grossmont College Student Trustee Edwin Hernandez Armenta enjoyed being in the KGTV report. He praised Student Engagement Coordinator Susan Berry for hosting a new fresh food and produce market, supported by local social services agencies, which served more than 150 students.
GCCCD
Governing Board
 Linda Cartwright
Debbie Justeson
Elena Adams
Bill Garrett
Brad Monroe

Student Trustees:
Edwin Hernandez Armenta
Kyrie Macogay

Chancellor
Cindy L. Miles, Ph.D.

Grossmont College
President
Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh, Ed.D.

Cuyamaca College President
Julianna Barnes, Ed.D.

Vice Chancellors
Tim Corcoran, Human Resources
Sean Hancock, Ed.D. Student & Institutional Success
Sue Rearic, Business Services
Next Meeting
The Governing Board's next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, May 21, at Cuyamaca College's Student Center. The open session will begin at 6:30 p.m. following closed session at 5 p.m.

Site Reports
Meeting agendas are posted on the District website and in the district and presidents' offices 72 hours before regular meetings and 24 before special meetings. 
8800 Grossmont College Dr.
El Cajon, CA 92020 
(619) 644-7010
Board President Linda Cartwright introduced a proposed Climate Literacy Resolution for consideration, noting her desire to bring it for Board action in May. She said the intent of the resolution is to acknowledge that climate change and climate literacy are critical for everyone at the District. The Board heard public comment from Mike Qualls, Grossmont College Computer Science Information Systems Instructor; Grossmont College Judd Curran, Earth Sciences/Geography Professor and Co-Chair; and Jim Miller, Vice President of the American Federation for Teachers, who spoke in favor of advancing the resolution. Grossmont College Academic Senate President Tate Hurvitz also addressed this matter, and explained that the Senate, by a unanimous vote of 80 members, asked him to convey deep concerns about the language in the resolution calling for developing curriculum and professional development activities, both of which fall in the purview of faculty according to law and Board policy. He was accompanied by incoming Cuyamaca College Academic Senate President Kim Dudzik, who noted that Cuyamaca’s Senate had not had time to meet formally, but that she had received a number of calls and notes of concern about the proposed language. Cartwright said she looked forward to hearing recommendations from the Academic Senates regarding modifications in the resolution to bring to the Board for consideration in May.  
ARAB AND MIDDLE EASTERN HERITAGE MONTH
Grossmont College President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh introduced several leaders of the Arabic community in eastern San Diego County as part of a report on serving the Arabic community in the region. More than 60,000 Chaldeans are in East County, and many are refugees from Iraq who came to the area looking for a better life in the United States.

Speakers included Father Simon Esshaqi, Youth Group Coordinator at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral; Father David Istefan, Assistant Pastor at St. Michael’s Chaldean Catholic Church; Imam Ameer Haji, Director of the Islamic Center of El Cajon; Noori Barka, founder of CalBiotech and President of the Chaldean League; and Besma Coda, Chief Operating Officer of Chaldean and Middle Eastern Social Services.

The Governing Board unanimously approved a resolution proclaiming April 2019 as Arab American Heritage Month, recognizing the valuable contributions and accomplishments of the Arab American community at the national, state and local levels. Chancellor Cindy L. Miles said she is proud that the District lives its values of inclusivity and diversity, and that it was honoring the students we serve.

The Board received thanks for passing the resolution by a number of Arab-American community leaders, who made public comments: Ty Odeh, House of Palestine; Nadia Keilani, Karama-Arab & Islamic World Information Project; Yousef Abudayyeh, San Diego Arab Film Festival; Yousef Ghonda, House of Palestine; Ammar Qadan, Institute for Middle East Understanding; and Kamel Miqadadi, Network of Arab America Professionals.
BOARD ACTIONS
At its April 16, 2019 meeting, the Governing Board:

  • Held the first reading of a College and Career Access Partnership Agreement with the Health Sciences High and Middle College Charter High School, and the River Valley Charter School.
  • Cast votes for seven candidates to serve on the California Community College Trustees Board of the Community College League.
  • Approved a College and Career Access Partnership Agreement with Helix Charter High School.
  • Revised the board meeting schedule so that the open session will now begin at 5:15 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. No meeting will be held on August 20, 2019.
  • Approved the Grossmont College course, certificate and degree changes for 2019-2020.
  • Reviewed the Student Trustee Privileges, as required.
  • Reviewed and updated as needed Administrative Procedures and Board Policies 2340, Agendas; 2345, Public Participation at Board Meetings; 3100, Organizational Structure; 4222, Precollegiate Basic Skills; 4230, Grading and Academic Record Symbols.
  • Approved a contract with OmniUpdate for website content management.
  • Approved a bid by Krueger International Furniture for furniture to be purchased for the District.
  • Approved a new schedule of student fees for 2019-2020.
  • Authorized the Association of Community College Trustees to provide services to assist with the search for a new chancellor.
  • Approved the Notice of Completion for a chilled water system at Cuyamaca College performed by West Coast Air Conditional Company.
  • Rejected all bids for the OH Complex/M Remodel. Rebidding for the work closes May 7, 2019.
  • Approved permission to award a bid for moving services at Grossmont College.
  • Amended a permission to award a bid for audio-visual equipment in the Student and Veterans Center at Cuyamaca College.
  • Ratified the hiring of Lana Arabu, Account Clerk at CalWORKs, Cuyamaca College; Ronald Brookins II, Athletics Eligibility Advisor, Cuyamaca College; Nicholas Crumpton, Learning and Technology Resources Center Supervisor, Grossmont College; Mai Do, Payroll Technician, District Services; James Lynn, Payroll Technician, District Services; and Keith Turner, Tutoring Center Specialist, Grossmont College. Position changes were also approved for Ariane Ahmadian, Admissions and Records Specialist, Cuyamaca College; Maximo delos Santos, General Maintenance Worker, Cuyamaca College; John Gonzalez, Grounds Maintenance Worker, Grossmont College; William Roessner, Custodian, Senior, Grossmont College; and Sherri Smith, Child Development Center Technician, Grossmont College.
CHANCELLOR'S REPORT
Chancellor Cindy L. Miles praised the Classified Professional Day that was held March 25, which launched a new professional development program for classified staff. She also commended the District Services Retreat held April 5, in which District Services employees developed their annual plans for their departments, in alignment with the Board’s goals and strategic priorities.  

Grossmont College President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh followed up on questions raised about facilities for the American Sign Language department at a previous board meeting. He said the program currently has no designated space, but will have over 900 sq. feet in the new Performing and Visual and Performing Arts Center,. He also said the café planned for the building will provide more opportunities for student engagement and encounters with faculty members.

Cuyamaca College President Julianna Barnes reported on numerous activities occurring at the college in April to commemorate Middle Eastern Heritage Month, including a College Hour celebrating Chaldean culture and traditions.
Miles congratulated Anne Krueger, Communications & Public Information Director, for winning six awards at the annual conference of the Community College Public Relations Organization, the group representing community college marketers in California. First-place awards were given to the District’s Annual Report, a series of career education brochures, and a news release by Communications Assistant Della Elliott. Another news release received a 2 nd Place Award, and two photos taken by Grossmont College Photographer Stephen Harvey received 2 nd and 3 rd Place Awards.