Ryan Ahari Named Student Trustee for Rancho Santiago Community College District

Ryan Ahari will serve as the RSCCD Student Trustee for the 2012-13 academic year.

Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) has named 19-year-old Irvine resident Ryan Ahari as the student representative on its Board of Trustees for 2012-2013.

Ahari, a third-year student at Santiago Canyon College (SCC) with a 3.69 grade point average, is a political science major.

With the SCC Associated Student Government (ASG), he served as the Senator of Campus Development. In that role, he represented the student body on the college’s facilities committee.

In addition, Ahari has served as a proxy for the ASG Vice President of Senate at Academic Senate and RSCCD Board of Trustees meetings. He was appointed as the SCC Region VIII delegate to the Student Senate for California Community Colleges. Last summer, he served as an SCC orientation leader helping to acclimate new students to college life.

“In my role with ASG, I learned to network and build relationships with students to ensure that their voice was heard,” said Ahari. “As student trustee, I plan to continue to focus on vital issues affecting many students. I am concerned about student fee hikes, textbook reform, veterans’ issues, adequate financial aid, and ensuring that LGBT students find our campuses welcoming.”

In recent months, Ahari has come to value the importance of higher education more than ever. One year ago, his life changed dramatically when his father told him that the family’s home was going into foreclosure. The house was put on the market and was sold as a short sale. He went to live with his father in Irvine and his mother went to live with his sister and his dog in Orange. At the time, he was taking 17 units of classes, but the emotional strain caused him to drop three classes.

“Things are better now, but I came to believe that the key to the world’s problems is education, vocational skills, and job training,” he said. “Society really needs to invest in a solid education for its citizens.”

Fortunately, Ahari has benefitted from a Board of Governors fee waiver, grants, and scholarships that make enrolling in college possible for him. In addition, he got a job working at Target to help pay the bills. This experience he believes has helped him better understand the obstacles that many community college students face in getting a higher education.

His future plans include transferring to a four-year university, preferably UC San Diego or UCLA, and continuing his studies in political science. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he hopes to attend law school. His goal is to study civil liberties and constitutional law and to run for elected office.

Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Brian Conley Retires

Trustee Brian E. Conley, M.A., is retiring from the RSCCD Board of Trustees on June 30, 2012.

Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Trustee Brian E. Conley, M.A., has retired from his seat effective June 30, 2012. Conley of Santa Ana submitted his resignation to Phillip E. Yarbrough, president of the RSCCD Board of Trustees. With 24 years of continuous service and leadership, he is the Board’s longest-serving member.  The Board of Trustees will formally accept Conley’s resignation at its meeting on June 18.

“The length of Brian’s tenure on the Board of Trustees speaks volumes about his dedication to our students, the community, and the mission of community colleges on a local, state, and national level,” said Raúl Rodríguez, Ph.D., RSCCD chancellor. “His spirit and perseverance will be missed.”

Conley’s seat represents what was formerly Trustee Area 1, which included a large portion of Santa Ana and a portion of east Garden Grove.  On May 21, the RSCCD Board of Trustees voted to adopt revised trustee area boundaries, changing the past at-large method of electing trustees to elections by individual trustee areas. That action increased the number of trustee areas from three to seven and changed Conley’s seat from Trustee Area 1 to the newly created Trustee Area 5. The Board is composed of seven elected trustees, who serve four-year terms.

Conley was elected to the Board in November 1988 and is in his sixth term. During his tenure as a trustee, Conley has served as president of the Board an unprecedented five times. He is currently chair of the Board’s Legislative Committee and serves as a member of the Board Policy Committee. He was selected in 2009 to serve a three-year term as the Regional State Coordinator for the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), the nation’s leading trustee trade association, based in Washington D.C. His responsibility included keeping ACCT leaders apprised of the challenges and innovations of California’s community colleges – the largest two-year college system in the nation. He also participates in federal advocacy efforts spearheaded by ACCT.

Recently, Conley was appointed by California Assembly Speaker John Pérez to serve a five-year term on the California Student Aid Commission. Conley was specially appointed because of his expertise regarding community colleges and his reputation as a statewide and national leader.

In addition to these current leadership positions, he also was an appointee of the California State Assembly to the Statewide Pupil Assessment Review Board. In 1999, Governor Gray Davis appointed Conley to the Board of Governors of the California Community College System, a position he held for four years.

He has been a professor at Golden West College (GWC) for over 37 years, where he has served as department chair for ten years and participated on numerous academic committees.  He has also announced his retirement from the college.

A reception is planned to honor Conley for 35 years of public service on Friday, June 22, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Rancho Santiago Community College District, 2323 N. Broadway, Board Room 107, Santa Ana. For more information, call (714) 480-7450.

Redistricting Workshop Planned for Rancho Santiago Community College District

Mark your calendar for a Redistricting Workshop on Sunday, May 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Do you think certain neighborhoods or communities should be in a particular trustee area in the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD)?  Here is an opportunity to have your voice heard.

The RSCCD Board of Trustees has scheduled a community workshop to provide community members the opportunity to review and comment on revised boundaries of the trustee areas for the RSCCD. The workshop is planned for Sunday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rancho Santiago Community College District, 2323 N. Broadway, Room 107, Santa Ana, CA 92706.

“This workshop serves an important function,” said RSCCD Board of Trustees President Phillip E. Yarbrough. “It allows community members to help shape the process of drawing the trustee area boundaries that will impact the operations of the college district for years to come. The Board encourages the community to take the time to make their opinions known.”

On February 6, 2012, the RSCCD Board of Trustees approved amendments to board policies changing the current at-large method of trustees to elections by individual trustee areas. That action increases the number of trustee areas from three to seven.  At the February 27, 2012 meeting the Board selected National Demographics Corporation (NDC) to develop potential boundaries for the seven trustee areas.

NDC and the RSCCD Board of Trustees have identified the following criteria that may be utilized in the development of the new trustee area boundaries:

• Communities of interest;
• Visible (natural and man-made) boundaries;
• Compactness and contiguity;
• Continuity in office;
• Population growth;
• Preserve the core of existing districts; and
•  No dilution of protected classes which impairs its ability to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of an election.

On March 26, 2012, the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges approved a resolution paving the way for RSCCD to change from at-large to trustee area elections. The RSCCD Board of Trustees had previously requested that the Board of Governors authorize this change to trustee area elections as authorized by Assembly Bill No. 684 signed by Governor Jerry Brown in October 2011.

For more information, call Rancho Santiago Community College District at (714) 480-7452 or email lucarelli_anita@rsccd.edu.

 

New Student Trustee Arrives on Rancho Santiago Community College District Board

Nathan Selvidge has been named student trustee for 2010-2011.

Rancho Santiago Community College District has appointed 19-year-old Nathan Selvidge to serve as the student representative on its Board of Trustees. 

Selvidge, a second-year philosophy major at Santiago Canyon College (SCC) with a 3.4 GPA, has his sights set on law school.  As director of public relations for the SCC Associated Student Government (ASG), he helped facilitate better student advocacy strategies and worked to build better relationships with faculty and student leadership. His future plans include transferring to a four-year university and studying law with the goal of practicing criminal law.

After his parents’ divorce when he was in middle school, his grades took a nosedive. By the time he was in high school, he thought there was nothing he could do to improve his future outlook.

“After my graduation from Villa Park High, my grandpa sat me down and told me to get serious,” says Selvidge. “I love community college because it is affordable and it gave me a chance to start with a clean slate.”

After enrolling at SCC, he saw getting involved with ASG as a chance to do something for the campus. He is most proud of his advocacy for a resolution for creating a dedicated smoking area in the college’s parking lot. SCC has a smoke-free campus with designated smoking areas in perimeter parking lots only. He also assisted in orchestrating a successful student rally held to oppose any student enrollment fee increases. He sees serving as student trustee as an extension of the work he has already done.

“I want to be part of anything that advocates for students,” Selvidge says. “My goal is to build strong relationships with the board members and student leaders.”

One month into his tenure as student trustee, he is researching how best to serve his fellow students. Among the most important issues are adequate library hours, recycling, and keeping student enrollment fees at $26 a unit he says.

“I am looking forward to doing something positive and long-lasting to benefit students,” says Selvidge.

RSCCD Board of Trustees Appoints New Chancellor

Raúl Rodríguez, Ph.D. was appointed as RSCCD's new chancellor on June 3.

On June 3, at a special meeting of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Board of Trustees, the Board voted to appoint Raúl Rodríguez, Ph.D., as chancellor of RSCCD, the third largest community college district in California. Dr. Rodríguez, who most recently served as the superintendent of the San Joaquin Delta Community College District and president of San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif., replaces Edward Hernandez, Jr., Ed.D., who retires on June 30 following 13 years as chancellor and a 21-year tenure at RSCCD as a district administrator and college president. The Board approved a three-year contract. Dr. Rodríguez, age 58, will earn $250,000 annually, a salary comparable with other community college chancellors in Orange County. His appointment will be effective on Monday, August 9.

“We were looking for a candidate with a proven track record as an instructional leader. In addition, we hoped to find an experienced chancellor with demonstrated skill in partnership development, the college accreditation process and reporting requirements, fiscal management, and the oversight of large-scale capital improvement and new construction campaigns,” explained Lawrence (Larry) Labrado, Board president. “Dr. Rodríguez has a statewide reputation as a community college leader, having served as a college president for more than 15 years. His professional experience demonstrates that he has the knowledge and skills to lead a district of our size and complexity,” said President Labrado.

In his most recent position with the San Joaquin Delta Community College District, Dr. Rodríguez initiated new strategic planning methods that resulted in the adoption of strategies to better address the learning needs of underserved student populations. He also implemented new processes to bolster employee engagement and participation, and created a new collaborative budget process to open communication among all constituency groups. In the area of instruction, Dr. Rodríguez increased the college district’s online course offerings, increased student enrollment, and developed programs to support the success and transfer rates of students enrolled in science and mathematics courses.

Moreover, Dr. Rodríguez has special expertise in compliance and reporting for statewide accreditation. He has led numerous accreditation evaluation teams, serving as the chair. Finally, he has directed an extensive capital improvement program at San Joaquin Delta College which is similar in size and scope to RSCCD’s Measure E. Through his leadership, San Joaquin Delta College constructed a new Math/Science Learning Center, library, student services building, athletic facilities and new athletic fields, as well as successfully completed renovation and modernization projects totaling $300 million. He pioneered many “go green” initiatives to reduce the college’s carbon footprint. His commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability complements a priority of the RSCCD Board of Trustees.

In his current leadership post with the San Joaquin Delta Community College District, Dr. Rodríguez serves as a civic and community leader, representing the district and college on various national, statewide, regional and local Board of Directors. Recent leadership positions include service on the Board of Directors for the National Community College Hispanic Council, St. Joseph Medical Center and Goodwill Industries of the San Joaquin Valley.

Dr. Rodríguez holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from UCSC, a master’s in School and Applied Psychology from Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT) and a bachelor’s in Liberal Studies from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH). He is also a graduate of the Harvard Institute for Educational Management.

2010 Officers Elected for College District Board of Trustees

At the December 7 regularly scheduled meeting of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Board of Trustees, the Board unanimously elected Lawrence (Larry) R. Labrado, Sr., president, Brian Conley, M.A., vice president, and Phillip Yarbrough, clerk.  Each will serve a one-year term ending in December 2010. 

2010 RSCCD Board of Trustees (left to right): Vice President Brian E. Conley, M.A.; John R. Hanna; Mark McLoughlin, CPSM; Lisa Woolery, APR, M.A.; R. David Chapel, Ed.D.; Clerk Phillip E. Yarbrough; President Lawrence R. “Larry” Labrado and Student Trustee Gloria Holguin.

The seven-member Board also includes Trustees R. David Chapel, Ed.D., the immediate past president, John Hanna, Lisa Woolery, APR, M.A., Mark McLoughlin, and Student Trustee Gloria Holguin.

“During unprecedented times like these, it is imperative that large educational institutions, like the Rancho Santiago Community College District, have seasoned leaders at the helm. With expertise in higher education, finance, economics, strategic planning, and business, the Board not only has the background to make effective decisions but they have the passion and conviction to fulfill the district’s mission,” explained Labrado. 

Labrado was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Board in January 1994 and was elected to the Board that November.  A former educator, Labrado served as an outreach director at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) prior to his retirement.  He is currently a small business owner with more than 20 years of experience in enrollment management.  Labrado, a resident of Orange, is currently active in the American GI Forum and is serving as the director of the American GI Educational Foundation.  In 2007, he was recognized by CSUF as one of the campus’ top 50 Latino alumni. He holds an associate degree from Santa Ana College and a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies from CSUF.

Elected to the Board in 1988, Conley, the district’s most seasoned Trustee, will serve as vice president.  A community college professor, Conley is a former Governor appointee to the Board of Governors for the community college system of California.  He has received many accolades including the national Trustee Leadership Award from the Association of Community College Trustees and the Advocate of the Year Award from the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges. He holds an associate degree from Sacramento City College, a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento, and a master’s degree from California State University, Fresno.  He also completed graduate studies at the UCLA Graduate School of Management, Pepperdine University’s Graduate School in Education, and Beaux-Arts in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Yarbrough, elected to the Board in 1996, will serve as the Board clerk.  In 2008, he served as Board president. A small business owner, Yarbrough taught economics courses as an adjunct professor at Santa Ana and Santiago Canyon colleges prior to being elected to the Board.  He has held leadership positions on various community boards including the executive board for the Orange County chapters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the American Lung Association.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from CSUF.

Rancho Santiago Community College District Appoints Gloria Holguin as Student Trustee

2009-10 Rancho Santiago Community College District Student Trustee Gloria Holguin

Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) has appointed Gloria Holguin to serve as the student representative on its Board of Trustees. 

Holguin, a second-year business administration and criminal justice major at Santa Ana College (SAC) with a 3.76 GPA, completed her associate degree in June.  She is currently enrolled in classes at SAC to finish transfer requirements for the University of Southern California where she plans on attaining her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and social work.

Once she stepped foot on campus, Holguin quickly became active in student life at SAC.  In 2008, she joined Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and served as its vice president. In 2009, she joined the Associated Student Government and served as its legislative commissioner and traveled to Sacramento in April to advocate for community college students and programs as state legislators considered drastic budget cuts. In 2009, she also joined SHEEA (Students for  Hispanic Equal Education Attainment) and serves as its vice president.

Holguin, a single mother with two sons—16-year-old Christopher and 27-year-old Joseph Anthony, is one of 16 siblings and is the first in her family to graduate from college. Now, her goal is be a role model for both her sons and her two grandchildren.