FALL 2019 Is Off and Running!

FALL 2019 Is Off And Running!

A Welcome From Chancellor Breland

I would like to take a moment first to thank each of you for your energy and enthusiasm at the two-day PDD. The organizers and committee did a fantastic job of putting together content around the incredibly important theme of wellness and work/life balance. Our well-being directly affects our actions and emotions. It is incredibly important for each of us to focus on wellness in order to help relieve stress as we welcome over 9,000+ students to the EVC campus and family.

I know the last few weeks have been very challenging for all of you as we have to navigate change and deal with adversity. After having seen you all in action, I am extremely confident that our students are in wonderful hands and I am proud of you all for your professionalism and commitment to fuel student success. I also think it’s important to highlight some things that we should all be proud of: Enrollment is up 2.4% from last year as of late last week We have over 9,500 students currently enrolled We have 291 Promise students, with 125 new students in our third cohort The food pantry has expanded to be able to provide more support for our students and we have a new location for our clothing/hygiene closet EVC is ranked No. 2 in the nation in the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Faculty Diversity Index among all two-year, public colleges (there are more than 1,100 nationally) EVC is ranked No. 3 in the nation for Community Colleges by salary potential, meaning we have among the highest paid graduates in the country

Thank you again for all that you do. Here’s to another great semester at Evergreen Valley College!

Go Hawks!

Byron

EVC I nt roduces New Classified Senat e!

On August 27, 2019, the SJECCD Board of Trustees approved the new Evergreen Valley College Classified Senate. The EVC Classified Senate was developed and established by classified personnel at Evergreen Valley College to serve classified staff individually, collectively, and institutionally. They aim to provide opportunities to develop individual leadership and development among classified personnel, and to engage the democratic process of decision- making at EVC.

The group stands as a body representing the needs, concerns, and perspectives of classified staff at our college. Classified Senate representative Bianca Lopez stated, "Our role as classified employees of the college has always been to provide excellent support to administration, faculty, and our college structure and processes. We look forward to working with you all and to continue to support our mission of opportunity, equity, and social justice."

Official members (pictured from left to right): Gina Riticelli, Sarai Minjares, Bianca Lopez, Teneka Cornish, Cathy Kost, Hoa Pham, Maya Gonzales, and Brandon Yanari.

Facult y Spot light - John McDonald

ESL instructor John McDonald spent his summer roaming about in Greece. For a whole month, he found himself enthralled by the villages, seaside views, the long history of the country, and the beautiful island of Tinos. When asked about his Greek proficiency, John brought out his Greek textbook excitedly. He had passed the first test for Greek proficiency and aims to continue learning from there. However, Greek was not his first interest in linguistics. He graduated from UC Berkeley and majored in French for his undergraduate studies. “Having lived in France twice while learning the language, I understand what it’s like to have specific thoughts and not be able to express them effectively. You have to be brave. I tell this to my students all the time.”

John is excited to teach this fall semester and enjoys being around his students. “My job is a question of inspiring people,” he says, “challenging them but at the same time not discouraging them.” John relates to his students and knows that it can be overwhelming for them to show open vulnerability and willingness to make mistakes in the community. Always ready to encourage, he often tells his students, “The reason why I’m giving you a challenge is because I know you can do it.”

Classified St aff Spot light - Lisa Rent eria

“When I was in first grade, I got hit by a car. They said I wouldn’t walk again,” Lisa Renteria recalls. Having been at EVC since spring 2010, Lisa currently works as a full time instructional assistant in the Physical Education department. She enjoys the collaborative environment between staff and the fact that she gets to be active on the job.

Outside of EVC, Lisa runs marathons, hosts events, coaches athletes, and manages a running club of over 100 members. When the club first started, Lisa reached out to a protein supplement company to sponsor them. Soon afterwards, a surge of many other companies partnered with Lisa as their ambassador. “[The companies] started sending me compression socks, Goodr sunglasses, Rabbit athletic apparel, supplements, and even Skechers. It’s crazy to realize what running has brought into my life. Like, I’m an influencer…what?! But I make sure my morals are in line with what I’m promoting. I totally believe in the stuff that I wear.” Once a young hospital patient with no hope for walking legs, Lisa today is a force to be reckoned with.

3095 Yerba Buena Rd, San Jose, CA 95135 (408) 274 - 7900 evc.edu

WRAPPING UP SPRING 2019!

President 's Corner

Hello EVC Staff and Faculty - On the heels of what I consider to be one of the best graduations I have ever been a part of, we now close the books on a tremendous year at Evergreen Valley College. I am incredibly proud to say that 1,837 bright, driven and confident students graduated from EVC this year. This is a 57% increase from last year and our largest graduating class ever! I am proud of a number of our accomplishments this past year. Click here to read more.

EVC Wellness Wednesdays

As you may know, Evergreen Valley College officially kicked off “EVC Wellness Wednesdays.” Throughout the summer, we will have two fitness activities each Wednesday. At 9:00 AM, Josh and Lynette will lead a “Power Walk” (meet at the roundabout in front of A&R for a 30 minute walk). At 4:30 PM, we will open up the Fitness Center for Workout Wednesdays. It's a great time to start a healthy lifestyle!

Facult y Spot light

Meet EVC Adjunct Metalsmithing Instructor, Jackie Baxton. Jackie recently completed a 15-week artist-in-residency program with funding from the California Arts Council and Mariposa County Arts Council, through a program called JumpStart. She worked with formerly incarcerated youth who live at Sierra Quest Academy, an "intense rehabilitation center," on creating wearable art as a means to generate income. Jackie said, "As an instructor, I believe in the importance of creating confidence within my students, and I am teaching this group an alternative means of income through art." Jackie wanted to show these young men that "They can create an income though creative and positive means."

Classified St aff Spot light

Amisha Thoi has been working at EVC since 2014, first as an hourly, but later on became a permanent employee in 2017. She graduated from EVC and SJSU. After a few years of working outside EVC, Amisha found herself returning to EVC as an employee. She describes her return to EVC as having "come full circle." With enthusiasm, Dean Octavio Cruz said, “Amisha has been tremendously helpful to the President’s Office this past year with her Vietnamese translation skills. Although she is somewhat quiet and reserved, she goes above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis in the A&R Office. Simply put, Amisha exemplifies the concept of good customer service with our students.” When she’s not working, Amisha likes to shop and spend time with her family.

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3095 Yerba Buena Rd, San Jose, CA 95135 (408) 274 - 7900 evc.edu

November News - We Are the Champions

EVC, a Champion of Higher Educat ion

EVC has recently been recognized as one of the 2019 Champions of Higher Education in California by the Campaign for College Opportunity. As an institution, we have been identified as one of the top California Community Colleges for transfer.

Every year, the Campaign honors campuses that lead the state in Associate Degree for Transfer implementation. Evergreen Valley College received this Associate Degree for Transfer Award based on the percent of all Associate Degrees awarded in the 2017-2018 academic year…55%!!

This is truly a team effort and I am proud of each of you for the role you play in strengthening college opportunity and success for our students.

Along with 14 other colleges and universities, this honor will be recognized at an event in Los Angeles featuring California Governor Gavin Newsom and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

You can read the full press release by clicking here.

Congratulations again to one and all!

Byron D Clift Breland, Ph.D. Chancellor San Jose - Evergreen Community College District

Umoja-A FFI RM's HBCU T our a Success!

This Fall, our Umoja-AFFIRM program partnered with San Jose City College and took 25 African American transfer ready students to tour five Historical Black Colleges and Universities on the east coast. They visited Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Howard University, Norfolk State University, and Hampton University. The Umoja-AFFIRM program would like to thank the EVC President’s Office, VP Andrea Alexander, and Chancellor Breland for funding this past Fall Historical Black College and University Tour. Students received an all-expense paid for trip including flight, hotel, and food, all made possible with the collaborative efforts of the EVC campus.

They are excited to be back and will be holding a banquet during Black History Month to recap each of our students' experiences.

EVC A lum Sends Greet ings From Y ale!

EVC Alum Brooke Alviar continued her journey in education at Yale University this fall! Having situated herself at Yale in the past few months, Brooke describes her experience as “intriguing and stunning” as she gets acquainted with the historic campus and its students. “I have never experienced so many ‘aha’ moments,” she says.

As an enthusiastic learner, she is grateful that EVC allowed her to explore and discover her interests. Brooke believes that EVC helped her increase her chances of getting into Yale. “No school will necessarily turn you into someone who is passionate about something; that’s already in you. I do believe, though, that the right school will help bring that passion you have out of you.” With those beliefs, she hopes to inspire future EVC students to be open-minded and optimistic about their options because she believes that there is no straight path fit for everyone. After Yale, Brooke aspires to continue pursuing her dreams by going to law school in California. From a Hawk to a Bulldog, we are so proud of you, Brooke!

Facult y Spot light - Harv ey Gipson

General counselor for the YESS / Equity Plus program, Harvey Gipson, started out as one of the younger counselors at EVC in 1980. Harvey now calls himself the "last of the old timers" and even though he retired in 2009, he was only away for one semester before returning as adjunct. "I wasn't mentally ready," he says, "I simply enjoyed working with students and my colleagues too much to not be here. When I am not able to smile every morning at the thought of coming to work, I will then know that it is time to not be here." In his spare time, he enjoys reading books, researching career trends, and tending to his garden, where he grows plums, pomegranates, and even succulents. Besides his community of neighbors, he is involved with J.E.W.L. (Oral History Learning Institute), the Umoja-AFFIRM program, and the International Mentoring Program. Harvey believes firmly in social justice and considers himself an advocate for causes involving equality and human rights. “If you are fully aware of the world you live in and you want to make it better, you have to be an advocate.” He has high hopes for the future generation in that they will continue to close the equality and equity gaps for all.

Classified St aff Spot light - Denise Medina

Denise Medina, an instructional lab technician from the Nursing department, is a proud mom and longtime classified employee of 22 years but has the energy of the everyday hustling millennial. Her thirst for learning inspires her to take on new hobbies, such as coding and crafting autumnal decor. Denise's latest venture into crafting led her to selling out her entire inventory at pop up events. Her new business, Poppets Pumpkins, carries handmade plush pumpkins that Denise designs herself and she hopes to expand her collection very soon for the holidays.

One of the most rewarding feelings Denise experiences is when she sees former EVC students working at hospitals. "I feel like I have a proud mom moment with all of them." Denise's ultimate retirement dream is to live out the rest of her days at a lake house. Poppets Pumpkins are accepting commissions now so don't hesitate to contact her for one!

Spot light in Research - Dr. Jennifer Kurushima

EVC proudly introduces you to one of our newest hires on campus, biology instructor Dr. Jennifer Kurushima. Jennifer is currently conducting research with colleagues from Foothill College and North Carolina State University titled "Are there any scientists in health science courses? Exploring the significance of science identity among pre-nursing and pre- allied health students at a diverse community college."

This project started in Fall 2018 and it measures students' identities as scientists and how it affects their academic performance. Jennifer said, "Over fifty percent of college students attend a community college. Yet education research is explored primarily in four-year universities.” From previous research, scientific identity strongly correlates with success in STEM courses. However, no one has studied these effects in pre-nursing and pre-healthcare students in community college.

Jennifer’s research team collected data from Foothill College, focusing on classes that contained primarily pre-nursing and pre-allied healthcare students, biology majors, and general education biology majors. Research still goes on today as Jennifer and her research team hope to follow students longitudinally over time and track how a student’s scientific identity fluctuates as they progress through their coursework. "The idea is," she says, "that if we help them increase their sense of identity, we can increase their rate of success."

Jennifer will be presenting her research and findings at the Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER) conference in January 2020 at UC Irvine. For more information on the conference, click here.

3095 Yerba Buena Rd, San Jose, CA 95135 (408) 274 - 7900 evc.edu