Category: News

About This Episode

Season 1. Episode 4.

In this episode, we discuss what kinds of change can be created in local education with million-dollar gifts. More specifically, we’ll hear what Chaffey College plans to do with the $25 million gift they recently received from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. And, we’ll learn about the change that has been created with the late Jack Brown gift of $10 million to Cal State San Bernardino 5 years ago. We’ll also speak to the new chancellor of the San Bernardino community college district, Diana Z Rodriguez, about her plans and vision as she enters this new position.

 

 

Featured Guests

Dr. Henry Shannon

Superintendent & President of Chaffey College.

Emma Diaz has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of healthcare and education. She is currently the Director for the Inland Adult Education Consortium at San Bernardino Valley College, where she manages the implementation of the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) legislation. As Director she has played a leadership role in creating and expanding educational programs across the region for underserved, often marginalized populations in adult education.

Emma participates regularly on state level advisory groups, presents at regional, state and national conferences, and is an international lecturer. She strategically positioned the Inland Adult Education Consortium as the professional development center for the Inland Empire, partnering with both state and national organizations. Most recently hosting the 2nd Annual Google Summit for Adult Education.

In addition to her current role as Consortium Director, she teaches for both credit and noncredit programs at multiple community colleges. She is currently a Board Member of the Association of Continuing and Community Education and is on the Basic Skills and Noncredit Committee for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge.

Julie Nichols

Interim Associate Vice President for Philanthropic Giving.

Annette Webb, M.Ed., is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of California Riverside, University Extension. In her role, Annette upholds University Extension’s preeminent status in the professional, online, and continuing studies realm by evaluating and successfully responding to the educational needs of non-traditional learners, both domestic and international. She provides leadership in curricular and instructional areas, strategic planning, partnership engagement, student success, academic quality, and financial management.

Annette is a product of the California Master Plan for Higher Education, beginning her educational journey at Crafton Hills Community College then transferring to California State University, San Bernardino to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Higher Education Leadership and Policy from UC Riverside.

She is a member of Growing Inland Achievement’s Returning Adult Action Network Team and she is the inaugural Co-Chair and Staff Representative for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women at UCR. Annette is a proponent for life-long learning and is a higher education professional who represents excellence, accountability, integrity, and respect.

Interview Highlights

2:37 Dr. Shannon describes Chaffey College.

5:13 Dr. Shannon shares how the $25 million gift came as a surprise.

9:37 Dr. Shannon tells us why he believes MacKenzie Scott and her team chose Chaffey College to be a recipient.

13:29 Dr. Shannon explains how much good he believes the $25 million grant can really do.

18:06 Dr. Shannon shares what problems the campus was already facing that this money could help to resolve.

21:21 Dr. Shannon answers how the campus is preparing to spend the money.

22:36 Dr. Shannon shares a personal message for MacKenzie Scott.

26:01 Julie shares the history that took place 5 years ago when CSUSB first got the news they would be receiving a large gift.

28:43 Julie discusses what restrictions came with the $10 million gift.

33:13 Julie looks back on what the campus hoped the money would do for them.

34:03 Julie shares the most significant enhancement caused by the Jack H. Brown gift.

35:49 Special Feature: Diana Z. Rodriguez

View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

About This Episode

Season 1. Episode 3.

Taking our education system entirely online within a month would have seemed to be an impossible task before the pandemic. Yet, schools across the region made it happen to ensure learning continued despite the challenges faced during the crisis.

Many of us were surprised at the things we learned. Now, with a glimmer of normalcy on the horizon, and state and national resources dedicated to accelerating out of the pandemic, what are the positive takeaways from this experience? Join us for a discussion with three special guests about using lessons learned to improve student access and success.

Featured Guests

Ted Alejandre

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.

Emma Diaz has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of healthcare and education. She is currently the Director for the Inland Adult Education Consortium at San Bernardino Valley College, where she manages the implementation of the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) legislation. As Director she has played a leadership role in creating and expanding educational programs across the region for underserved, often marginalized populations in adult education.

Emma participates regularly on state level advisory groups, presents at regional, state and national conferences, and is an international lecturer. She strategically positioned the Inland Adult Education Consortium as the professional development center for the Inland Empire, partnering with both state and national organizations. Most recently hosting the 2nd Annual Google Summit for Adult Education.

In addition to her current role as Consortium Director, she teaches for both credit and noncredit programs at multiple community colleges. She is currently a Board Member of the Association of Continuing and Community Education and is on the Basic Skills and Noncredit Committee for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge.

Edwin Gomez

Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.

Annette Webb, M.Ed., is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of California Riverside, University Extension. In her role, Annette upholds University Extension’s preeminent status in the professional, online, and continuing studies realm by evaluating and successfully responding to the educational needs of non-traditional learners, both domestic and international. She provides leadership in curricular and instructional areas, strategic planning, partnership engagement, student success, academic quality, and financial management.

Annette is a product of the California Master Plan for Higher Education, beginning her educational journey at Crafton Hills Community College then transferring to California State University, San Bernardino to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Higher Education Leadership and Policy from UC Riverside.

She is a member of Growing Inland Achievement’s Returning Adult Action Network Team and she is the inaugural Co-Chair and Staff Representative for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women at UCR. Annette is a proponent for life-long learning and is a higher education professional who represents excellence, accountability, integrity, and respect.

Interview Highlights

4:14 – Ted explains how San Bernardino County is geographically very diverse which sometimes complicates the struggle to keep kids learning.

6:36 – Ted describes what was done by the district to ensure that learning continued even amidst unprecedented learning conditions.

13:25 – Ted reveals that many administrators including himself, have learned valuable lessons that might actually make local schools better in the long run.

15:14 – Ted discusses how his district has offered support for mental health issues when it comes to students.

19:27 – Ted shares how the pandemic has changed the way he views K-12 education in the Inland Empire.

21:33 – Edwin reveals where his office had made the greatest changes for Riverside County schools.

24:40 – Edwin shares what he found to be the most difficult thing that his team in the superintendent’s office had to address.

30:03 – Edwin talks about new projects, initiatives, that have started as a result of the pandemic.

35:45 – Edwin shares his concerns for the students that lost their senior year of high school and what his office is doing to address their struggles.

42:40 – Special Feature: Richard Edwards

View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

About This Episode

Season 1. Episode 2.

In this episode, we explore equity challenges and opportunities at our Inland Empire educational institutions. 

Featured Guests

Dr. Talisa Sulivan

Administrator for Equity and Access for the Riverside County Office of Education.

Emma Diaz has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of healthcare and education. She is currently the Director for the Inland Adult Education Consortium at San Bernardino Valley College, where she manages the implementation of the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) legislation. As Director she has played a leadership role in creating and expanding educational programs across the region for underserved, often marginalized populations in adult education.

Emma participates regularly on state level advisory groups, presents at regional, state and national conferences, and is an international lecturer. She strategically positioned the Inland Adult Education Consortium as the professional development center for the Inland Empire, partnering with both state and national organizations. Most recently hosting the 2nd Annual Google Summit for Adult Education.

In addition to her current role as Consortium Director, she teaches for both credit and noncredit programs at multiple community colleges. She is currently a Board Member of the Association of Continuing and Community Education and is on the Basic Skills and Noncredit Committee for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge.

Dr. Angela Clark-Loque

Professor of Educational Leadership at CSU San Bernardino

Annette Webb, M.Ed., is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of California Riverside, University Extension. In her role, Annette upholds University Extension’s preeminent status in the professional, online, and continuing studies realm by evaluating and successfully responding to the educational needs of non-traditional learners, both domestic and international. She provides leadership in curricular and instructional areas, strategic planning, partnership engagement, student success, academic quality, and financial management.

Annette is a product of the California Master Plan for Higher Education, beginning her educational journey at Crafton Hills Community College then transferring to California State University, San Bernardino to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Higher Education Leadership and Policy from UC Riverside.

She is a member of Growing Inland Achievement’s Returning Adult Action Network Team and she is the inaugural Co-Chair and Staff Representative for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women at UCR. Annette is a proponent for life-long learning and is a higher education professional who represents excellence, accountability, integrity, and respect.

Interview Highlights

1:55 – Dr. Talisa explains what equity is in education.

3:30 – Dr. Talisa describes what she handles in her role as Administrator for Equity and Access.

5:47 – Dr. Talisa shares how one can move from being simply equity-minded to being an equity practitioner.

10:20 – Dr. Talisa discusses how a school knows when they have truly created a program that has equity.

13:19 – Dr. Talisa tells us why she believes it’s so important to acknowledge the significance of the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color versus white people.

19:43 – Dr. Talisa shares what she feels teachers need to hear the most right now as it relates to equity.

22:39 – Dr. Angela describes some of the major barriers to the educational success of students here in the Inland Empire.

24:22 – Dr. Angela shares some specific ways she believes we can move from the equity talk to the equity walk.

28:17 – Dr. Angela reflects on what she thinks the obstacles are that back racial equity in our schools.

31:58 – Dr. Angela explains signals to look out for to know when equity practices are working (or not working).

35:29 – Dr. Angela explains what the term “disaggregation” means and why it has become so important to finding equity in our schools.

View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://gia.echofactory.dev/gia-podcasts/

Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.