March 2012 ACCCA Reports | 1

Did YOU get recharged? If you attended the 2012 Conference in Long Beach you must have reacquainted yourself with a few colleagues you’ve missed since the last conference—I know I did, and that’s some-thing that really recharges me! It was so great to catch up with everyone again, but more than that, by talking with others I got a truer sense of the changes taking place on divergent campuses across the system, and how various segments of our admin-istrative constituency were coping with the current fiscal crisis. I was able to separate fact from fiction and get a much better per-spective of the statewide impact.

In various sessions I heard about specific strategies being used to contend with the challenges of a system in transition. As bad as the news was that we were all hearing, it

was comforting to know there was more pulling together than standing apart, and I realized that my colleagues and friends really understood my own trepidation about what’s to come, because they were feeling it too.

Did YOU witness re-inven-tion? When circumstances around you deteriorate, that’s

the time to innovate, and our members did not disappoint! In session after session we saw new approaches being demonstrated and fresh strategies taking shape.

At ACCCA we re-invented the “Leadership Pathway” by launching a new program to serve as yet another st ep in that path-way—The Freshman Class. This program is envisioned as a series of events designed

to address the training and network build-ing needs of a newly appointed or first time CEO. The group held their initial meeting at this conference, and they’re enthusiastic about building a menu of events that will not only provide insightful training on specific aspects of the system-wide transition tak-ing place, but also establish themselves as a unique community and a network of col-leagues throughout their careers. If you’re new to the CEO role or a CEO dealing with a new campus culture, contact ACCCA to find out more about this group!

Did YOU re-discover a great truth? As President of the ACCCA Board, Willard Lewallen said in his opening remarks, “I can’t think of a more exciting time to be a community college administrator.”

Willard told us that the challenging fiscal environment of the last few years has brought about some of the most creative and innovative strategies to serve as many students as possible with the resources available. We may lament the declining resources for community colleges, but the reality is that California’s community colleges have become incredibly efficient and effective in delivering high quality education services with fewer resources. California com-munity college administrators have been at the forefront of leading and managing colleges to become more effective and efficient.

If you missed the 2012 conference, be sure to check out the website for photos, recaps and more. It’s not as good as being there, but maybe it will inspire you to come next year! I hope you will join us in beau-tiful Monterey for the 2013 conference. Look for program and registration details online this fall! n

THE 2012 ACCCA CONFERENCE: ReCharged! ReInvented! ReDiscovered!

IN THIS ISSUE

> ACCCA Conference

> Conference Participants Weigh In

> And the Winner Is

> Students Benefit From ACCCA Scholarships

> Sponsors Help Provide Quality Program

> Welcome Home Returning Vets

> Administrators on the Move

> Upcoming ACCCA Events

> Business Member profile: CHK

March 2012

www.accca.org

— By Susan Bray, ACCCA Executive Director

ReCHARGE! | ReINVENT! | ReDISCOVER!

CONFERENCE2012

2 | ACCCA Reports March 2012

ACCCA would like to thank all of you who took the time to fill out our online conference evaluation survey and give us your feedback on the effectiveness of the 2012 Conference held in Long Beach, February 22-24. A little over 30% of attendees completed the survey, and their comments provided us with some great insights about who they were, where they are heading in their careers and how ACCCA can focus our content and speaker choices to improve mem-bers’ overall perceptions of our programs.

We are pleased to report that the over-whelming amount of feedback was very positive, and attendee comments bore that out. From the data we learned that 52.1% of the respondents consider themselves as “moving up” in their careers and this indi-cates to us that our focus on professional development and our “Leadership Pathway” need to continue in the next few years.

Our luncheon speaker on Thursday was Mark Mayfield who received excellent reviews

on his presentation on managing stress and dealing with change. Over 95% of respon-dents who attended this event felt Mayfield was “good” or “outstanding.” Based on this feedback, ACCCA is exploring the possibility of bringing another speaker of his style and caliber to next year’s conference in Monterey.

We were happy to hear that our ACCCA vol-unteers and staff provided our attendees with great support and that the logistics of the event were well handled from the attendee perspec-tive. Every respondent indicated that the hotel and location were either “superior” or “good.”

In our analysis, your feedback on session room assignments and hotel Internet issues was right on. We’ve taken note of your suggestions and we’ll have that in mind as we plan the 2013 layout with the Hyatt Monterey.

Regarding the program content, one attendee commented that they would like to see, “more on shared governance, communication, dealing with difficult employ-ees, budgets and legal matters dealing with student issues,” in our programming. We will review all the input from our attendees and apply their suggestions where we can so that we continue improving our programs for you.

Of those who responded about whether they plan on returning to ACCCA’s next conference, nearly 90% said yes, they were planning to or will try to find a way. How you feel about your overall conference experience has a lot to do with how we handle things on our end, and we are happy to report that over 95% of respondents said our service at the conference was either “good to great” or “superior.” Of course, there’s always room for improvement, and we’ll continue to work on what we can as we start plan-ning for your next ACCCA conference experience.

The 2013 ACCCA conference will be held at the Hyatt in Monterey February 20-22. Start planning to attend now, and thank you again for your continuing support of ACCCA! n

ACCCA Officers:President: Willard Lewallen

President-Elect: Linda Beam

2nd Vice President: Willy Duncan

Immediate Past President:Kevin O’Connor

Don AverillDeborah BlueDerrick Booth

Wes BryanDavid Bugay

Elizabeth CipresTracy Daly

Rose DelgaudioMary Dowell

Thomas GreeneKurt HuegLori Koh

Lorenzo LegaspiRob Mieso

Jeanie NishimeOmid PourzanjaniGlenn Roquemore

Samia Yaqub

Executive Director: Susan Bray

Design and Illustration by Jeff Byrdwww.jeffbyrd.com

ACCCA EDITOR1531 I Street, #200

Sacramento, CA 95814916.443-3559

www.accca.org

ACCCA Conference Participants Weigh In

Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) is a non-profit devoted to shar-ing ideas from some of the world’s best thinkers. ACCCA uses TED videos, as well as interesting clips from YouTube and other resources at our conferences to enhance our participants learning expe-rience and keep them abreast of new ideas regarding, education, leadership, world views and career achievement.

Our Editorial Board plans to link clips of footage we feel is of interest to our readers in future issues of ACCCA Reports. This first video, chosen by our ACCCA members, features analyst Richard St. John who condenses interviews he did with world leaders in technology, poli-tics and innovationinto a unique 3-min-ute slideshow on “the proven secrets of why people succeed.

In our second TED video selection, the imaginative Joe Sabia explores new and improved ways to tell stories -- combin-ing viral video, display technologies and old-fashioned narrative.

We hope you enjoy these selections, and if you have a suggestion for a clip of your own that you’d like to share with your colleagues, please send it to our Editor at communications@accca.org.

IDEAS WORTH SPREADING!

March 2012 ACCCA Reports | 3

The Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award:

Sandra Serrano, Chancellor, Kern CCD

The Buttimer Award is ACCCA’s foremost recogni-tion of what an administra-tor at the pinnacle of their career can achieve. Named for the late Harry Buttimer,

one of ACCCA’s founding members, the award was first pre-sented in 1986 and symbolizes the qualities for which Harry Buttimer was known, and by which truly great leaders are judged: integrity; principle; compassion; strength in leader-ship; contributions to colleagues and the profession; and contributions to the college district and community.

The 2012 recipient, Sandra V. Serrano, is Chancellor of Kern Community College District, a position she’s held since July, 2004. The Kern Community College District encompasses 25,000 square miles and is served by three col-leges. Prior to being named Chancellor, Serrano served six years as President of Bakersfield College.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley; a Juris Doctorate from the Hastings College of Law; was an Education Policy Fellow with The Institute for Educational Leadership; and was a California State University Administrative Fellow at California State University, Fullerton

The ACCCA Award for Excellence in Administrative Leadership:

Gwen Plano, Vice President of Instruction, Irvine Valley College

The Association’s Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence was established in

AND THE WINNER IS…

1996 to honor a mid-level administrator whose commitment to the profession has stood out among their peers. Candidates for the award are judged on demonstrated examples of creativity and innovation in their work; volunteerism in activities ben-efiting their college; a commitment to the college and the com-munity and service as a role model to others in the profession.

This year’s Administrative Excellence award was presented to Gwen Plano, Vice President of Instruction at Irvine Valley College.

“Gwen’s extensive leadership experience has successfully created cohesive learning environments for our diverse stu-dent populations including programs for our returning vet-erans,” said Glenn Roquemore, President of IVC. “Dr. Plano was instrumental in creating a veteran-friendly campus by developing forums in which the student veterans could tell their stories to faculty, staff and students serving to help in their healing process, and at the same time increasing our understanding.”

ACCCA Members Take Home Honors at 2012 Conference

{Continued on Page 4}

4 | ACCCA Reports March 2012

ACCCA Volunteer of the Year:

Dena Maloney, VP at Santa Clarita CCD/College of the Canyons

It is one thing to be active in ACCCA and quite another to go above and beyond expectations and by doing so, truly lead your

team to the success of a program or provide some other sig-nificant contribution to your fellow ACCCA members. At the ACCCA Conference, Dena Maloney was recognized by her fellow ACCCA members for doing just that.

Dr. Maloney received ACCCA’s “Volunteer of the Year” award for her work in leading a team that reviewed the popular ACCCA Admin 101 Program. Dr. Maloney also serves as a member of ACCCA’s Management Development Commission and helped develop the process for the year-

Each year, working with a state-wide network of Campus Reps, ACCCA holds a fundraiser timed to coincide with the annual confer-ence. The fundraiser benefits California Community College students through the ACCCA Student Scholarship Opportunity Drawing. To date, ACCCA has raised and awarded $27,000 in student scholar-ships which are paid to the winning campuses’ foun-dations for distribution.

At the 2012 ACCCA Conference in Long Beach last month, another six scholarships were awarded. Scholarship Opportunity Drawing Tickets are sold on campus up and down the state prior to; and during the conference. At the final conference General Session the winning tickets are drawn and this year six lucky winners took home $500 each for their students.

This year the winners are:• Thomas Hall, Executive Director of Facilities Planning

and Development, Los Angeles Community College District• Don Warkentin, President, West Hills Community College in Lemoore• John Didion, Executive Vice Chair of Human Resources and Education Services, Rancho

Santiago Community College District

• Jesse Ortiz, Counselor, Woodland Community

College • Linda Beam, Executive Dean of

Human Resources, Marin Community College• Judy Chitlik, Rancho Santiago CCD Asst. V.C. of Human

ResoucesThe number of scholarships awarded each year is deter-

mined by the amount of money raised through advance and on site ticket sales. Each college - not ACCCA - decides how the dollars will be distributed to the students on their campuses. Congratulations to all of our winners and their students! n

{WINNERS from Page 1}

long Admin 101 program review which resulted in a new cur-riculum proposal accepted by the ACCCA Board in January.

Business Partner of the Year:Xerox/Ron Speno

For the second time since the Award was conceived in 2000, XEROX has been selected ACCCA’s Business

Partner of the Year for their consistent and generous contribu-tions to our programs and operations.

Xerox, a leader in providing document solutions that enhance productivity while helping our colleges save money, has demonstrated their consistent support of ACCCA and its members by becoming the Association’s first official Business Member in 1999, and through their financial support of and participation at key events, including their donation of printing for the annual budget book at no cost to ACCCA for the past ten years.

The award was accepted by Ron Speno, State Representative for Education and Government for Xerox. n

Six Students to Benefit from Scholarships at ACCCA Conference

March 2012 ACCCA Reports | 5

Sponsors Help ACCCA Provide Quality Program in Long Beach!

ACCCA would like to thank all of our sponsors for their continued support and professionalism. Our sponsors help us to achieve our goals and add incredible value to our organiza-tion, and we encourage our members to remember that when they’re looking for services and products for their colleges. The 2012 ACCCA Conference sponsors were:

DIAMOND SPONSORSAtkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

One of California’s most widely respected law firms, AALRR provides general counsel services in areas such as the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, conflicts of interest, shared governance, board policies, and student services. They also advise and engage in litigation on behalf of their district clients in labor and employment law, constitutional law, public finance, facilities and business services. Please contact them to learn about the services that they offer.

Liebert Cassidy WhitmoreLiebert Cassidy Whitmore provides general counsel, labor,

litigation advice, management training and assistance to community college districts in matters pertaining to educa-tion law and employment relations, including business and facilities issues. Members of the Firm have first-hand expe-rience and in-depth understanding of the special demands of labor relations, employment law and business, construc-tion, and facilities issues, both transactional and litigation, as they apply to community college districts. Visit www.lcwlegal.com for more information.

PLATINUM SPONSORSHigher One

Higher One is a leading company focused on helping college business offices manage operations and provide enhanced service to students. Higher One works closely with colleges and universities to ensure students receive Financial Aid refunds quickly, can pay tuition and bills online, make on-campus and community purchases and learn the basics of financial management.

HMC ArchitectsHMC Architects is a leader in the design of community

college facilities that support innovative and collaborative learning. With more than 70 years of experience in plan-ning, architecture, and interior design, their staff of more than 400 are qualified to create high-performance environ-ments that respond to their clients’ evolving needs.

Keenan & AssociatesKeenan & Associates provides innovative Employee

Benefit, Property & Liability, Workers’ Compensation and Financial Services solutions to California community col-leges and other public employers through unique, proprie-tary programs. Keenan is globally ranked as the 19th largest insurance brokerage and consulting firm.

GOLD SPONSORSAtomic Learning Desire2Learn IncorporatedNational UniversityPearsonStudent Insurance

SILVER SPONSORSCalifornia Lutheran UniversityCollege and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) Datatel+SGHEMedical Billing Technologies, IncRBC Capital Markets

BRONZE SPONSORSHoneywellKNN Public FinanceProfessional Personnel Leasing, Inc

EXHIBITORSAd Astra Information SystemsAdcampBrandman UniversityCA DGS Statewide Travel ProgramCLARUS CorporationFirst InvestorsNelnet Business SolutionsPARSPayden & RygelPepperdine, Graduate School of Education and PsychologyRetirement Options for EducatorsUniversity of La VerneVALIC n

6 | ACCCA Reports March 2012

Despite a continuing decline in resources, Community Colleges across the state are stepping up to provide diverse and comprehensive services to veterans through a growing number of quality on-campus programs. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office reports that the state is now home to the largest contingent of military veterans, currently estimat-ed at 2.2 million and growing, and a majority of those veterans who enroll in higher education will attend community colleges.

An examination of the veteran-on-campus experience was the focus of an interesting session at the ACCCA Conference last month. Jeremy Villar, Associate Dean for Student Access at LA City College and his fellow panelists, Randy Anderson, Dean, Special Programs and Services, Los Angeles City College,Todd Adamson, Clinical Psychologist, U.S. Vets and Program Coordinator for “Outside the Wire” program and Carol Tanenbaum, Chair of The Soldiers Project: Adopt a College program explored the challenges faced by student veterans as they transition from military service back to the college campus, and the difficulty that colleges face in meeting their needs.

Adamson commented on the ways admin-istration can improve the quality of experience

for veterans at their college. “There are many vets that have family and relationship issues. These problems get

exacerbated coming from an extreme environ-ment such as war, to a campus environment.

Having a space where veterans can talk with other veterans and a safe place to hang out goes

a long way.”As the presenters demonstrated, because of the type of war being

fought today, administrators and faculty are seeing men and women in great numbers

who have been traumatically wounded, and who have recovered physically, but are left with the residuals of their injuries, both seen and unseen.

Presenters reported that 500,000 returning veterans are expected to use their G.I. Bill to attend college. Roughly 10-18% suffer from PTSD, and anywhere from 3-25% suffer from depression. In 2007 community colleges enrolled 15 times the number of veterans as U.C. campuses.

Almost half of military veterans who are enrolled in col-lege have contemplated suicide at some point, and 20 percent have planned to actually kill themselves, according to “Student Veterans: A National Survey Exploring Psychological Symptoms and Suicide Risk.” These statistics are indicative of the volatility that campuses are dealing with within this unique population.

As our campuses prepare for yet another wave of these stu-dent-veterans, participants of the ACCCA conference session were engaged by the strategies presenters shared for what works best for our colleges and our returning soldiers. n

For more information and to optain specific “best practice” information, contact the Student Veterans of America at www.studentveterans.org

Community Colleges Key to a Supportive Transition for Returning Vets

Welcome Home…

March 2012 ACCCA Reports | 7

Below are some of your colleagues who recently made a big change in their careers! If they’re in your professional net-work, we encourage you to reach out to them with a note of congratulations and to remember to update your “rolodex!”

Susan Sperling, President, Chabot Community College

Brooklyn, New York, native Susan Sperling has worked at Chabot Community College for the past 25 years, beginning as a teacher. On February 21, she was selected to be its next president by the Chabot-Las

Positas Board’s 5-1 vote. Prior to becoming president, Sperling was the Dean of the

Social Sciences Department. She replaces former President Celia Barberena who retired in December after serving for four years.

When asked what difficult tasks lay ahead for Chabot, Sperling responded, “I would say it’s upholding the tradition of excellence at the college and its crucial place in the com-munity during a time of really significant fiscal challenges. The importance of college to underserved communities is a very, very deep thing in my heart and my mind.”

Dr. Robert Jensen,Interim President, Bakersfield Community College

In February, 2012, Dr. Robert Jensen was chosen to be the interim president of Bakersfield Community College. Jensen will be replacing Dr.

Greg A. Chamberlain, who announced his resignation the same month. Chamberlain will be assisting Jensen in the transition until June 30, when his resignation officially takes place.

Dr. Jensen brings with him an abundance of knowledge, with over 19 years working at many different community college districts throughout California and Arizona.

“Dr. Jensen has come highly recommended,” said Kern Community College District Chancellor Sandra V. Serrano. “He has an excellent breadth of experience and a stellar reputation, and we are fortunate he embraced the opportu-nity to come to Bakersfield. I am pleased to have Dr. Jensen as the interim president for Bakersfield College.”

Dr. Jensen said he is excited about the new opportunity to work at Bakersfield College.

“The College is one of the oldest institutions in the state

with a proud heritage of excellence in serving its students and community,” Jensen said. “I look forward to meeting the students, staff, faculty, and administrative team and contrib-uting in any way that is needed.”

Dr. Dena MaloneySuperintendent/President, Taft College

The Board of Trustees of West Kern Community College District announced the selection of Dr. Dena Maloney as the next Superintendent/President of Taft College. Maloney’s first day on the job is expected to be May 1, 2012.

Dr. Maloney’s current position is Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of the Canyon Country Campus. She is also Vice President of Economic Development of the Santa Clarita Community College District.

The Board announced its decision to appoint Dr. Maloney on February 16, after multiple interviews and the use of recommendations expressed by faculty and staff of Taft College.

“The Board of Trustees is very pleased that Dr. Maloney has accepted the CEO position at Taft College,” WKCCD Board President Billy White said. “We look forward to her capable leadership through these challenging financial times and into the future. We are excited to welcome her to the college and community.”

Paul Parnell, PresidentNorco College, Riverside CCD

The Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees has appointed Paul Parnell, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Rio Hondo College in Whittier, the next president of Norco College to begin July 1st.

ADMINISTRATORS ON THE MOVE!

8 | ACCCA Reports March 2012

For over ten years Parnell was the Dean of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Chaffey College as well as program director at two community colleges in Washington. Parnell is not just an educator but also a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he served for over two decades.

Sandra L. Mayo President, Moreno Valley College, Riverside CCD

The board of Trustees of the Riverside CCD also approved the appointment of Sandra L. Mayo as the next president of Moreno Valley College, and she will also begin that role on July 1st.

The board’s vote was unanimous after Chancellor Gregory W. Gray

recommended hiring both Parnell and Mayo. Gray consid-ers both Parnell and Mayo, “impressive community college leaders who I believe will be an excellent match for our col-leges and the communities we serve.”

Mayo is currently Vice President of Academic Affairs at Los Angeles Valley College. Prior to that position she was the Dean of Business, Mathematics and Sciences at Santiago Canyon College. n

• Admin 101, July 22-26 at Brandman University inIrvine. The only program of its kind in California, this week-long boot camp for administrators provides the basic nuts and bolts of college management. Class size is limited to 72, and over 50 have pre-registered. Application materials can be obtained at www.accca.org.

• The ACCCA Mentor Program. This nationally recog-nized program offers participants a unique take on profes-sional development by matching you with a seasoned pro-fessional for a year-long job shadowing experience and the completion of a formal learning contract. This is one of the best ways we know of to build your professional network, the 2012-13 class will be inducted at the Conference this month, but you can get your name on the list for the 2013-14 class today by going to www.accca.org

• Annual Budget Workshop, Sacramento, January 18,2013. As the article in this edition of ACCCA Reports will attest, this is the consummate budget workshop to attend as the budget strategy begins to develop. Get in front of the legislative debates and spend a day in Sacramento with your colleagues. Online registration opens in October, 2012.

Upcoming ACCCA Events

CHK is a premier A/V rated California labor and employment law firm rep-resenting both public and

private sector clients, with offices in San Francisco, Santa Monica and Reno, Nevada. Since its inception, CHK has represented California Community Colleges, as well as other public and private higher education institutions.

CHK attorneys routinely advise colleges and universities on such matters as faculty, staff, and student policies, labor relations matters, Title IX, tenure review, faculty and staff discipline and terminations, workforce reductions/reorga-nizations, investigations, and discrimination and harass-ment issues. CHK is also nationally known for its extensive work concerning the prevention of campus violence and is a leader in the formation and training of Campus Violence Prevention Teams.

The CHK attorneys that work with community col-leges have each dedicated a significant portion of their legal careers to doing so. Their focus on community colleges is intentional; a decided result of each individual’s interest, and CHK’s commitment to serve institutions of higher learning. We are also uniquely qualified in that we represent both public and private higher education institutions. Our depth in both sectors permits us to draw on a wealth of experi-ences in representing community colleges.

While many entities have the philosophy that they “hire a lawyer, not a law firm,” in our experience, a strong and consistent approach to employment and labor matters is best accomplished by using an efficient team of expert legal practitioners with direct and practical experience.

In addition to providing legal counsel, we are also one of the largest providers of employment law training in the Country and we frequently conduct training specifi-cally tailored to our community college clients’ needs on a wide variety of topics, including: negotiations strategies, hiring, evaluation and discipline of academic and classi-fied employees, the tenure review process, academic and classified layoffs, the Brown Act and the California Public Records Act, Governing Board ethics, and other topics of interest to our clients. Our attorneys have also been regular presenters for the Community College League of California, National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), CALPELRA, and other similar organizations.

We are pleased to be an ACCCA Company Associate Member. To learn more about CHK, please contact Partner Carmen Plaza de Jennings at (415) 835-9000, by e-mail at: cpdjennings@chklawyers.com or visit our web-site at www.chklawyers.com. n

Business Member Profile

CHK

March 2012 ACCCA Reports | 9

The 2012 ACCCA Conference:A Picture is worth a Thousand Words ...