Chancellor's Remarks January 14, 2025 Board of Trustees Meeting

Good evening, Trustees, colleagues, and community members. As we gather at the start of a new semester, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering commitment to our students and to the mission of this district. The work we do together is not only challenging but transformative. Tonight, I’m reminded how truly fortunate I am to be part of such a dedicated, resilient and inspiring community of learners.

This semester begins with a mix of emotions. On the one hand, we celebrate that enrollment is up—a testament to the trust our students place in us to help them achieve their dreams. On the other hand, we acknowledge the very real concerns many of our students, faculty, and staff are experiencing.

For some students, fears about potential deportation changes under the new federal administration are creating another layer of anxiety.

For our faculty, the anticipation of upcoming negotiations and uncertainty surrounding California’s budget may bring feelings of apprehension.

Please know that these concerns are both heard and honored.  We remain continue to address them with transparency, compassion, and a commitment to equity.

Even amid challenges, we have much to be proud of — and hopeful for.

Thanks to the support of our community, Measure Q passed.  I want to extent my heartfelt appreciation to our voters for believing in the transformative power of education. This bond measure ensures we can provide updated, modern buildings like the new Fresno City College science building that opened just this Monday. This building represents our commitment to equipping students with the tools and resources they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

As we start this new year, we do so with cautious optimism.  While we are still assessing the impact of the recent wildfires in LA, the state’s tax revenue projections remain positive.  This gives us reason to be hopeful. Together, we will to continue to be good stewards of these resources, ensuring that every dollar supports our core mission: student success.

Special thanks to all the FCC faculty, classified professionals and district operations team along with our contractors who worked tirelessly to ensure that the building open on time.  Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and your dedication makes a lasting difference.

I also want to extend a special thank you to Johnathan Kepler from Operations for his outstanding work in addressing the power outage at Reedley College just one day before the opening day session.  I appreciate everyone at Reedley College, especially the residence hall staff, Herdsman House team, and Sarina Torres for your collaboration, being understanding, and quick response during this unexpected situation.

Yes, there is uncertainty  — but our people are our greatest strength.

As we navigate these times together, I ask that we center our actions around kindness and gratitude. If the recent fires in Los Angeles have reminded us of anything, it’s how fragile and precious life is. Tomorrow is never promised, but today we have the gift, and responsibility to make a difference.  For our students.  For each other. For our community.

Let’s embrace that opportunity with open hearts and the spirit of collaboration.

This semester brings both challenges and opportunities, and I am confident that together, we will rise to meet them. Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, and your belief in the power of education to transform lives.

Let’s move forward with gratitude, grounded in purpose, and with an unwavering commitment to serving our students and our community.

Here’s to a successful semester!