Growing Inland Achievement

Tag: Episode 1

  • Learning Never Retires: A Lifelong Journey with Osher

    Learning Never Retires: A Lifelong Journey with Osher

    About This Episode

    Season 4. Episode 1.

    Join us for an enlightening episode of Education Insight as we delve into the world of lifelong learning with Angela, the Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus. We’ll uncover the essence of Osher’s mission and support system, exploring its tuition structure and location specifics. Angela shares the rich history of the Olli program, revealing its popularity in California and the diverse motivations of incoming students. Discover the fascinating array of courses available in Osher’s catalog, devoid of traditional exams but brimming with enriching experiences.

    Angela sheds light on the exceptional instructors at the Palm Desert campus and recounts captivating anecdotes, including the remarkable post-class adventures of students. Gain insight into the most memorable moments within the Olli program and explore other Southern California campuses offering similar enriching classes. Lastly, Angela guides us on how to learn more about Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, providing valuable resources for continued exploration. Tune in to unlock the secrets of lifelong learning with Osher’s oasis and Angela as our guide.

    Featured Guest

    Angela Allen

    Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus

    After many years with a fortune 500 company on the east coast, Ms. Allen moved to the Coachella Valley in December 2001 and started her career in nonprofit as a volunteer with the Palm Springs Film Festival. She was hired full time as the manager of the newly formed Film Society and built the program from 15 members to close to 1000. She was hired away in 2008 to work as the personal assistant to well-known community philanthropist, Jackie Lee Houston. When Mrs. Houston passed away in 2011, Angela continued her nonprofit work in fund development for Olive Crest, a private child welfare provider, providing hope and healing for children who are suffering from trauma and abuse. In August 2021, at the time in life when most people are expected to retire, she was thrilled to have accepted her “Dream Job” as Director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus. Where Angela says, “I get paid to do everything I would do, if I was actually going to retire, like traveling and take mind stimulating classes with like-minded people. What could be better?

    Interview Highlights

    3:57 – Adrienne describes dual enrollment and its benefits.

    7:15 – Adrienne speaks to how recent California mandates and initiatives may have influenced the growth of these new programs.

    8:34 – Adrienne explains what research shows about the impact of dual enrollment on a student’s academic achievements or even their future success.

    9:24 – Adrienne shares examples of dual enrollment activities that are taking place in our region and what is happening in the IE. 

    13:11 – Adrienne talks about strategies in place to make sure that equal opportunities are available for all students.

    20:18 – Jorge explains how dual enrollment aligns with his role at Riverside County Unified School District.

    21:28 – Jorge shares his experiences and thoughts on the current dual enrollment programs that are being offered at Riverside Unified School District.

    23:32 – Jorge gives insight into how dual enrollment makes students career ready.

    25:58 – Jorge describes what challenges students typically face in dual enrollment programs and how he addresses those issues. 

    32:43 – Jorge shares what he would like to see be the future of the dual enrollment program in his district and beyond. 

    36:31 – Special Feature: Avijeet Randhawa, 8th-Grader, Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona Norco Unified School District.

    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.

  • Education Insight: College Affordability and Access

    Education Insight: College Affordability and Access

    About This Episode

    Season 2. Episode 1.

    In this episode we learn about college affordability and access and gain a better understanding of student grants, loans and the billions that are available right now for students from all backgrounds to use for college. And, what’s being done to make the process easier to apply, and make college affordable and accessible for residents of our region.

    Our guests include Catalina Cifuentes; an expert in College and Career Readiness, for Riverside County’s Office of Education, and the Chair of the California Student Aid Commission. And, ET Winzer, Director of Strategic Outreach and Engagement at Federal Student Aid–an Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

     

    Featured Guests

    ET Winzer

    Director and Strategic Outreach and Engagement at Federal Student Aid (FSA), and Office of the U.S. Department of Education.

    Director, Strategic Outreach and Engagement at Federal Student Aid (FSA), an Office of the U.S. Department of Education

    Collaborates across Federal Student Aid, the US Department of Education, other federal agencies, and with industry experts to develop and execute innovative solutions. Develops partnerships and initiatives to equip students and families with the tools to make sensible post-secondary education decisions. Identifies business and industry best practices to improve Federal Student Aid performance. Utilizes relationships with stakeholders and organizations in the education space to improve student success.

    Catalina Cifuentes

    Executive Director, College and Career Readiness, Riverside County Office of Education.

    Catalina Cifuentes is an educator who has demonstrated a gift for counseling and advocacy on behalf of all students. 

    In her former position as lead counselor at Santiago High School, Corona- Norco Unified School District, Catalina worked with the counseling team to design a successful guidance program which led to Riverside County as well as California Department of Education recognitions for exemplary counseling practices. She worked with her administrative team and staff to transform the school by raising the academic rigor and expectations from students resulting in the highest graduation rate and second highest A-G completion rate in Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino County.

    Catalina now shares those best counseling practices across Riverside County as the Executive Director of College and Career Readiness in the Riverside County Office of Education. Catalina focuses her work on the Riverside County Office of Education’s Pledge: “All students will graduate from high school well prepared for college or the workforce.” She is also a former secondary Language Arts teacher and has extensive experience working with English Learner programs.

    She was selected in November 2014 as a speaker for the College Opportunity White House Convening- Strengthening School Counseling and College Advising.  As a former Advancement Via Individual Determination student and first-generation college graduate, Catalina has a passion for this work and it is contagious.

    Interview Highlights

    3:17 – ET explains what FAFSA is and how it pertains to student aid.

    5:22 – ET shares some ways they are simplifying and modernizing the FAFSA programs in order to make it more accessible and beneficial to students and their families.

    7:08 – ET explains how the federal student aid office determines who is eligible for financial assistance.

    13:42 – ET details recent laws that have been implemented that are designed to simplify the application process

    15:23 – ET gives advice to students who are considering taking out a loan to pay for their education

    21:52 – Catalina explains the impacts of Governor Newsom’s recent signing of legislation to approve college affordability and increase access to higher education

    27:42 – Catalina gives insight to areas we need the most improvement on

    31:31 – Catalina details how many students in the Inland Empire actually complete the FAFSA

    35:11 – Catalina shares what we can do in the Inland Empire to increase FAFSA completion rates

    37:07 – Catalina reflects on how many students think college is simply out of reach financially.

    40:50 – Special Feature: Angel 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.

  • Education Insight: Growing Inland Achievement Through a Collective Impact Approach

    Education Insight: Growing Inland Achievement Through a Collective Impact Approach

    About This Episode

    Season 1. Episode 1.

    In this episode, we speak with the President/CEO, and COO of Growing Inland Achievement. We also speak to the President of California State University, San Bernardino. 

    Featured Guests

    Dr. Carlos Ayala

    President & CEO, Growing Inland Achievement. 

    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.

    Ann Marie Sakrekoff

    Chief Operations Officer, Growing Inland Achievement

    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

    2:44 – Ann Marie shares how GIA got started.

    3:35 – Ann Marie explains GIA’s mission, and how they go about achieving that.

    6:09 – Ann Marie explains what a collective impact collaborative is and how it works.

    7:55 – Carlos describes the change he’s seen happen in the Inland Empire as a result of GIA’s work.

    13:27 – Carlos shares where the greatest successes have occurred from bringing together all these local education leaders.

    16:42 – Carlos expresses his concerns about achieving the goals of GIA during the height of the pandemic.

    21:44 – Ann Marie explains how she sees GIA continuing to help students get the tools they need to be successful.

    24:30 – Carlos shares what kinds of change he’s hoping to see in the future due to GIA.

    29:49 – Dr. Morales describes the process of working with GIA and the goals they share.

    31:49 – Dr. Morales talks about the greatest work that has occurred for this team at GIA.

    39:50 – Dr. Morales reflects on the most important thing that must happen if we’re going to change the outlook for the Inland region.

    45:52: Special Feature: Judy White

    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.