This has been a busy past month of programs and activities for the college. I had the honor to say words of welcome at the 35th Annual Native American Motivation Day. It filled my heart with joy, nourished my spirit, and gave me hope for a better future seeing so many young people on campus. Trustee Martinez also attended the event. Bonnie Lockhart, our Student Equity and Achievement Specialist, did an amazing job organizing the event. 

The Mendocino College Agriculture Department announced the first in-person plant sale in two years! I, like many people, filled the trunk of my vehicle with plants for my garden and yard. Plus, I was able to purchase a hand-thrown clay bowl with proceeds supporting our ceramics department. 

I attended the reception for the Mendocino College Art Gallery Annual Juried Student Show. This year we have 97 students exhibiting 147 artworks.

I had multiple opportunities to travel to the Lake Center. I hosted the Lake County Economic Development Board in the Round Room; met with Trustee Anderson; and US Representative Mike Thompson came to the Lake Center for a visit. 

During spring break, we (myself, Ulises Velasco, Debra Polak, Rebecca Montes, and Mark Osea) met with Dr. Jason Meriwether, Vice-President of Enrollment Management and Dr. Carmen Bustos Works, Associate Provost from Cal Poly Humboldt. Some of the topics discussed were setting up 2+2 programs, Exploring pathways and articulation, opportunity for greater pathways for Native and tribal nation students, and Humboldt presence on campus. We have established good momentum with Humboldt, and I look forward to strengthening ties between our institutions. 

Our softball and baseball season have ended. It was great to see our student athletes in action of the field. We are proud of their hard work. Go Eagles! 

Earth Day celebrated its 52nd Anniversary this year with the theme "Invest in Our Planet."  Mendocino College's annual Earth Week celebration occurred as a virtual event with a website designed by Biology Adjunct Professor Erin Vaccaro.  The website, https://sites.google.com/view/mendocino-college-earthday2022/home, was dedicated to information about the history of Earth Day, resources to learn more, and student presentations about climate change impacts and ways to help our planet. 

Students competed for a best judged and people's choice presentation, with winners earning $100!  Thanks to Jake Kyle and the Agriculture Department, these student presentations were shown during the annual plant sale and student posters created by Chris Ineich's SSU Climate Change and Society class detailing what local communities, including Mendocino College, are doing to reduce their carbon emissions were also on display. 

This event is organized annually by Rachel Donham (BIO), Chris Ineich (AGR), Steve Cardimona (EAS), Brianna Zuber (BIO), and Erin Vacarro (BIO).  

Director of Admissions & Records Anastasia Simpson-Logg and college staff are currently finalizing details on our first in-person commencement ceremony in multiple years. Scheduled for May 20th at 6pm on the Stadium Field, commencement will allow students who have graduated since the start of the pandemic to participate. As such, we are anticipating the largest attendance in many years. Staff are preparing for an attendance of about 300 graduates, which is significantly higher than our normal ceremonies.  

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Awareness 

Mendocino College’s Bonnie Lockhart coordinated with community members, including Valerie Stanley, on displaying Red Dresses starting on Tuesday, May 3rd along the entrance to the Ukiah Campus.

The Red Dresses symbolize the continued need for awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) around the world. Indigenous Women are ten time more likely to be murdered than any other ethnicity. For generations, these stories and experiences have been silenced and stigmatized. The Red Dresses are to symbolize honoring, remembering, and sharing the struggle that many Indigenous women experience and those who are currently struggling in the cycle of violence. The dresses will remain on display until the end of the month to raise awareness. There is an image on display on the billboard on State Street thanks to support from our Marketing Department.  

Native American Motivation Day 

SEA Specialist Bonnie Lockhart, along with the collaboration and contribution of multiple faculty and staff, organized the 2022 Native American Motivation Day. During the event, Mendocino College welcomed over 200 students (middle and high school age from eleven different schools), along with chaperones, elders and community members from several Native American Education/Learning Centers.  Attendees were able to engage with department booths set up in Pomo Plaza, and were then taken on a campus tour, followed by lunch. Redwood Valley Rancheria Elder, Martin Martinez, offered a Blessing to all the attendees.  This year’s in-person Native American Motivation Day was presented as a kick-off for many more in-person events that will continue moving forward. Other vital staff involved in the planning of the event included Student Life Specialist Naoto Horiguchi and outreach staff members Malissa Donegan and Monica Whipple.  

The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) hosted the California CAMP Statewide Student Leadership Conference virtually. The leadership conference was attended by over 100 CAMP scholars from throughout the state. All nine statewide CAMP programs participated in the event, including CSU Monterey Bay, CSU San Marcos, CSU Fresno, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Sacramento, West Hills Community College, Madera Community College and Santiago Community College. The leadership conference was hosted for two days on April 8 and 9.

Student survey results showed that they had a good conference, learned from the experience, and appreciated the opportunity to network with CAMPers from other institutions. Keynote speakers included Dra. Viridiana Diaz, Vice President for Student Affairs at CSU San Marcos, and Manuel Guerra, Executive Dean of Student Development and Learning Resources at Chemeketa Community College and first CAMP Program Manager at Mendocino College.  

The CAMP program continues to do direct high school outreach and provide engaging opportunities for current Mendocino College students. In the last month, our CAMP Counselor and Program Manager presented at Upper Lake HS to potential CAMP eligible scholars, giving students information about the program and encouraging them to apply. Also, the program hosted an event in coordination with Culinary instructor Nicholas Petti. The CAMP scholars who participated were able to prep and cook a delicious Pad Thai dish. This workshop was to teach scholars how to make meals on a college student budget. This is all part of our continuing effort to provide basic needs and wellness related support and guidance to students by collaborating between multiple departments and areas within the college.