Chancellor’s Newsletter – March 2025

College News

Student Trustee Nominations Now Open!  

 

Are you passionate about student leadership and advocacy? Here’s your chance to make a difference! Student trustee nominations kicked off in early March, offering students a unique opportunity to represent their peers at a District level. Learn more about qualifications, responsibilities, and the nomination process by visiting our webpage: https://www.yccd.edu/board/student-trustee/.  

 

 

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Woodland Community College News 

Eagles of Excellence  
Save the date! The Eagles of Excellence celebration is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2025 starting at 5:00 p.m. The event is at Woodland Community College’s Performing Arts and Culinary Center and tickets are $50. This event helps to raise funds for Woodland Community College students while honoring individuals for their contributions.  

2025 Honorees: 

  • Deputy Chief Dallas Hyde – Distinguished Alumnus 
  • Dr. Matthew Clark (Posthumously) – WCC Faculty Member 
  • Joan Penning – Classified Professional 
  • Gloria U. Rodriguez – Community Leader 
  • Woodland Sunrise Rotary Club – Community Organization 

More information can be found at: https://wcc.yccd.edu/about/eagles-of-excellence/ 

 

 

Woodland Community College Presidents Board Report 
At each Board Meeting the college presidents give a report on their college, highlighting events and news around the college. You can view Woodland Community College President Navarette’s report here.  

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Yuba College News 

Yuba College Athletic Hall of Fame 
Join us on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in the Yuba College Gymnasium as we celebrate the 24th Class of Honorees being inducted into the Yuba College Hall of Fame! This event recognizes the outstanding athletes and special contributors who have made a lasting impact on the Yuba College athletics program. To purchase tickets, visit: https://bit.ly/4hIHqbp  

 

 

Yuba College Presidents Board Report 
At each Board Meeting the college presidents give a report on their college, highlighting events and news around the college. You can view Yuba College President Dotson’s report here.  

Happenings around the college 
Apr. 1: Baseball vs. Solano College, 2 pm 
Apr. 2: Softball vs. Butte College, Noon (doubleheader) 
Apr. 4: Baseball vs. Solano College, 1 pm 
Apr. 8: Baseball vs. College of Marin, 2 pm 
Apr. 8: Softball vs. American River College, 3 pm 
Apr. 9: YC Outreach Event, Wheatland High School 
Apr. 9: Softball vs. Feather River College, 3 pm 
Apr. 10: YCCD Board of Trustees Meeting, YC-Marysville, 5 pm 
Apr. 11: Baseball vs. College of Marin, 1 pm 
Apr. 16: Softball vs Butte College, 3 pm 
Apr. 17: Baseball vs. Los Medanos College, 2 pm 
Apr. 17: YC Outreach Event, Successful Connections Marysville
Apr. 21: Priority Registration Begins for Summer and Fall 2025 
Apr. 25: Baseball vs. Mendocino College, 1 pm 
Apr. 25: YC Outreach Event, Tierra Buena Career Fair 
Apr. 26: Track & Field hosts GVC Championships Meet, All Day
Apr. 30: YC Outreach Event, Career Fair at Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds 
Apr. 30: Spring Instrumental Concert, YC-Marysville, Theatre, 7 pm 

Full Yuba College sports schedules are linked here.   
Theatre schedule can be found here.  

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District Offices News 

 

Meet Our Staff! 

Jeffrey O’Connell: EMT Instructor and Mentor 

Jeffrey O’Connell has been with the district since 2016, serving as the EMT Instructor and Facilitator. He oversees training for both the EMT program and the Fire Academy, finding great joy in mentoring students. “Seeing students become good technicians and later helping others in the public is incredibly rewarding,” he says. 

Fun Facts About Jeffrey 

He’s petrified of thunder and lightning and admits to being a germaphobe. 

One of his most spontaneous moments? Driving 12 hours to Phoenix after buying Fiesta Bowl tickets on a whim. 

In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys hiking, trail riding in Roseville, and unwinding with his two dogs under a weighted blanket while watching football. He’s also contemplating earning his private pilot license, following in his son’s footsteps.

Guiding Philosophy 
Jeffrey’s approach to teaching is shaped by patience and flexibility, understanding that students learn at different paces. He lives by the advice, “Be yourself; everyone else is taken,” and is inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s motto: “Don’t lie about it. You made a mistake. Admit it and move on. Just don’t do it again.”  

What’s Next? 
Jeffrey looks forward to seeing his students succeed in national certifications and pursue careers in public safety. His passion for mentorship and dedication to his students make him a valued leader in the district.  

 

 

 

California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year  

At the March 13, 2025 Board Meeting, three award winners for Classified Employee of the Year were honored and joined via Zoom. The Board adopted Resolution 25-08 to recognize and honor the commitment and outstanding services of the following classified employees: 

  • Charlene Eckels, Basic Needs Specialist – Woodland Community College 
  • Riley Hang, Instructional Associate – Yuba College & Districtwide
  • Jessica Gaytan, Executive Assistant Administrative Services – District Services  

The Board also endorse the Chancellor’s Cabinet’s recommendation that Riley Hang be submitted to the California Community College Chancellor’s Office for consideration by the Board of Governors for the Classified Employee of the Year Award at the state level. Ms. Hang was nominated by five of her peers and you can view more information here.  

Pictured Riley Hang with President Dotson and Vice President Brown 

 

Chancellor’s Open Door  

Chancellor Pan will be on campus, monthly, to meet and interact with faculty, staff, and students who would like to stop by during the “Open Door” period. Below are the upcoming dates/times. No appointment is necessary. Please note that the Open Doors for Yuba College and Woodland Community College will resume in the fall. 

 

Lake County Campus, Location TBD 
Thursday, April 17, 2025 
From 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Sutter County Center, Chancellor’s Office 
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 
From 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

 

District Holiday Closures 
Monday, March 31: Cesar Chavez Day 
Thursday, April 3 – Friday, April 4: Spring Recess 

 

 

Next Regular Board Meeting 
The Board of Trustees will meet for their regular meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Yuba College, Building 300, 2088 N. Beale Rd, Marysville. The agenda will be released 72-hours prior to the meeting here.  

 

Practicing Inclusive Excellence – A Letter From Chancellor Pan 

 

District Safety & Risk Management  

Did you know? 
We are partnering with the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office and Woodland Police Department to have Campus Resource Officers on-site at Yuba College – Marysville and Woodland Community College?  

What is a Campus Resource Officer (CRO)?  
A CRO is a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified Police Officer or Sheriff’s Deputy who is assigned full time to the campus community.  The CRO’s will wear law enforcement uniforms and drive fully marked patrol vehicles.   

Keep an eye on your email for short bios and introductions!    

The Campus Safety webpage lists security guard phone numbers and hours of operation for each campus: Campus Safety – YCCD.   

Emergency Protocol
For emergencies on campus requiring police, fire or emergency medical services please dial 911.  

Non-Emergency Assistance
Contact the security guards at the following phone numbers:   
Yuba College: (530) 870-1158
Sutter County Center: (530) 954-0599
Woodland Community College: (530) 681-8782
Lake County Campus: (530) 954-0600

Report a Non-Emergency Hazard or Safety Concern
Report a hazard or safety concern i.e. trip, slip or fall hazard to:
YCCD-Safety@yccd.edu (mailbox not monitored 24/7)

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Foundation News 

Over the past few months, the Yuba Community College District Foundation has revised its policies and procedures related to fundraising events, and the purchase order and requisition processes. The Foundation is also in the process of transitioning its financial records from Quick Books into the Colleague System. Later this month the Foundation will host an online training to review the revised procedures and share the resources available to support those changes. It is highly recommended that anyone that has responsibility related to a Foundation Fund or conducting fundraising events participate in the Training. The 45-minute training will be offered three times on April 16 at 4:00 p.m.; April 17 at 9:00 a.m.; and April 18 at 2:00 p.m. The link to join the meetings is https://yccd-edu.zoom.us/j/8147321905?omn=86744281038. The training will be recorded, and a video will be posted on the Foundation’s website along with a summary of questions and answers from those that participated.  

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Recently Reviewed Board Policies & Administrative Procedures 

The below Board Policies (BP) and Administrative Procedures (AP) went through the appropriate review process and were finalized in Board Docs. The AP’s reviewed will go to the Board in the summer as an informational item, per standard practice.  

Substantive Updates: 
AP 3500 Campus Safety- Substantive Changes due to decommissioning the YCCD Police Dept. 
BP 2015 – Student Member: Updated based on CCLC legal update #45 

Minor Updates: 
AP 2110 – Vacancies on the Board: Updated based on CCLC legal update #45 
BP 2340 – Agendas: Updated based on CCLC legal update #

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—– For current open positions, visit our hiring webpage for more information. —–

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Mission Statement: Yuba Community College District provides all individuals in our diverse communities access to high-quality, affordable higher education that is responsive to student needs. Our mission is to inspire and advocate for student success through our passion and commitment to teaching, learning, and social justice.

Vision: Our vision is to empower our students and strengthen our communities by providing equitable, student-centered learning opportunities.

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Would you like to have an event highlighted in a future newsletter?
 Email dwilliam@yccd.edu for consideration.