In this latest episode of Amplifying Voices, we sit down with two FACCC student-coordinators who are currently working to further promote the organization's mission and raise the student voice. 

Anna Mathews and Jenny Dang bring a fresh perspective as they share their higher education experience as students while simultaneously working with an organization that represents the interests of faculty members within the California Community College system.

The Student Perspective with FACCC Student-Coordinators Anna Mathews and Jenny Dang

Join host Ryan Tripp and special guest Dr. Wayne C. Downey as they discuss various ways to elevate the understanding of individuals with diverse challenges or limiting attributes within the higher education community. Dr. Downey's personal experience enhances an appreciation for these individuals while shedding light on how their distinct characteristics shape their identities and foster an environment of diversity and inclusivity within our higher education institutions.

Understanding Disabilities Within the California Community Colleges

De Anza College faculty member, Alicia Mullens, opens up about her personal journey in navigating the LGBTQ+ community within the California Community College system. She not only shares her experiences but also highlights her transformative role as an advocate for others within the community.

Discover more about the ongoing efforts to create inclusive and affirming spaces for all members of the LGBTQ+ community in higher education. Join us in celebrating Pride Month and the diversity that makes our campuses stronger.

You can check out the De Anza Pride Center here: https://www.deanza.edu/pride/

An LGBTQ+ Community Leader Within the CCC System

Coordinator/Counselor Dean Steckman joins us in the company of 3 student leaders from various institutions to shed light on the remarkable contributions they have made to LGBTQIA+ activism in their local communities and wider California Community College system. Together, their goal is to bring attention to the fundamental needs, available resources, and comprehensive support required by many students within this community. 

A huge thank you to our guests Dean Steckman, Sunny Ramirez,  Elwin Agtang, and Ruby Dewar, and to the faculty members who helped coordinate this episode! 

Recommended Resources:
The Seventies: A Breakthrough Decade for LGBT Rights by Thomas Coleman

This Book is Gay by Juno Dawsom

College of the Desert Gender and Sexual Diversity Pride Center: https://www.instagram.com/codpride/

Twitter Handle of Recommended LGBTQ+ Advocate: @JoshHelfgott

LGBTQIA+ Activism Within the CCC System

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, the FACCC Communications Committee presents a special two-part podcast series dedicated to the rich and diverse heritage of Native Americans. In this first episode, we dive deep into the heart of Native American culture and academia by inviting esteemed colleagues and Native American Studies  faculty members from College of the Canyons, Wendy Trujillo and Laurie Solis.

Join us as we explore the incredible work of the College of the Canyons' Native American and Indigenous Alliance. Discover their commitment to nurturing a supportive and inclusive environment for indigenous students and their efforts to strengthen cultural awareness on campus. We'll also shed light on the remarkable expansion of the Native American Student Success & Support Program, which aims to empower Native American students and provide them with the resources they need to thrive academically.

Honoring Native American Heritage: A Closer Look at College of the Canyons

In partnership with the New Books Network, we welcome two esteemed guests, Kristofer Ray (UNC-Wilmington) and Brady DeSanti (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe, UN-Omaha). Kristofer and Brady co-edited a collection of essays, penned by cross-disciplinary authors, on pedagogical and curricular frameworks for comprehending and instructing Native American History, titled UNDERSTANDING AND TEACHING NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY. Tailored to empower educators at all levels, this volume facilitates the seamless integration of Native American History into California and U.S.-wide lesson plans. From debates over teacher land acknowledgements and blood quantum entanglements with multiethnic diasporas, to approaching American genocides and indigenous student perspectives, the volume delivers content and resources spanning the Native Americas, indigenous worlds, and beyond.

New Books in Native American Studies

Kristofer Ray and Brady DeSanti, "Understanding and Teaching Native American History"

Join us for a special episode of Amplifying Voices with host Ryan Tripp as he engages in a heartfelt conversation with the now former FACCC Executive Director, Evan Hawkins. This exclusive interview takes listeners on a reflective journey through Evan's impactful tenure within the California Community College system.

The heart of the conversation delves into Evan's professional growth, starting from his role as Membership Director within FACCC to the pinnacle of his career as the Executive Director. In a candid moment, Evan reveals that his number one priority has shifted to supporting his daughter and family, underscoring the importance of achieving a healthy work-life balance. Despite his transition from the Executive Director role, Evan reassures listeners that his commitment to FACCC remains, as he plans to take on a consulting role within the organization.

Don't miss this insightful episode, where Evan Hawkins shares not just the milestones of his professional journey but also the profound shift towards family values.

A Journey of Leadership and Balance

Join us for an enlightening interview with Dave Balch, a respected faculty member from California's community college system, as we delve into the realm of AI and bots. Drawing from his own experiences, Dave offers profound insights into how educators are harnessing AI's capabilities while navigating its limitations. His extensive research on AI's educational impact prompts discussions about crafting essential policies addressing AI's definition, diverse applications, and integrity considerations. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of education and technology!

AI and Bots in Higher Education

Join us for an election themed episode of the FACCC podcast, Amplifying Voices, featuring Kipp Mueller, a candidate for California State Senate District 23 (SD 23) in the 2024 cycle. Kipp shares his journey within the California Community College system, shaped by his mother's impactful role as a counselor at American River College, and his deep understanding of the vital support community colleges provide to all students.

With a firsthand understanding of the significance of quality healthcare through union membership, Kipp highlights its crucial role in nurturing flourishing communities. His academic path, from UC Berkeley to Columbia University for employment and labor law studies, underscores his steadfast dedication to advancing workers' rights and ensuring educational accessibility.

In today's conversation, Kipp passionately shares his mission of empowering labor unions, advocating for the working class, and enhancing healthcare access. Endorsed by FACCC, Kipp Mueller embodies hope for faculty focused and transformative policy initiatives in the California State Senate.
With a firsthand understanding of the significance of quality healthcare through union membership, Kipp highlights its crucial role in nurturing flourishing communities. His academic path, from UC Berkeley to Columbia University for employment and labor law studies, underscores his steadfast dedication to advancing workers' rights and ensuring educational accessibility.

During the discussion, Kipp passionately shares his mission of empowering labor unions, advocating for the working class, and enhancing healthcare access. Endorsed by FACCC, Kipp Mueller embodies hope for equitable representation and transformative policy initiatives in the California State Senate.

Kipp Mueller, Candidate for CA State Senate, SD 23

Join hosts Ryan Tripp and John Fox in the latest episode of Amplifying Voices. In this installment, we are privileged to hear from Dr. James McKeever, President of AFT 1521 Faculty Guild and sociology professor at Los Angeles Pierce College. Dr. McKeever played a pivotal role in reviving the March in March after a decade-long hiatus, a movement dedicated to safeguarding educational resources and opportunities for both students and educators. He passionately advocates for the continuation of the March in March as an annual tradition, emphasizing its broader objectives including advocating for affordable housing, expanding access to the college promise, and empowering students to actively shape their narratives rather than leaving them in the hands of politicians. Dr. McKeever reminisces about the early days of the March in March, highlighting its significance in addressing the challenges faced by students today. This conversation underscores the importance of nurturing students' aspirations and providing them with the resources to pursue their dreams. Interested in getting involved? Spread the word across your campuses to ensure that both students and faculty are ready to participate. Additionally, you can become part of the preparation group for next year's March in March by reaching out to Dr. James McKeever at jmckeever@aft1521.org.

Empowering Education: Reviving the March in March with Dr. James McKeever

In this episode of Amplifying Voices, John Govsky, an Associate faculty member at Cabrillo College, shares his personal journey and insights grappling with the disparities faced by contingent faculty. As a dedicated advocate, he tirelessly campaigns for the rights of part-time faculty.

John's fervor lies in advocating for implementing a one-tier system, or Unified Faculty Model, debatably inspired by the Vancouver Model in British Columbia. This proposed system stands in contrast to the existing structure within the California Community Colleges, which privileges full-time faculty while relegating contingent faculty to a subordinate status without avenues for advancement. The essence of the Unified Faculty Model is to bridge this gap among faculty members.

Highlighting the prevalence of contingent faculty within the community college system, John emphasizes that today’s arrangement diverges significantly from the intended vision of the "architects" of the higher education system from the 1950s-1960s. His own entry into teaching revealed the hierarchical nature of the employment system, prompting him to deepen his involvement within his union and emerge as a leading advocate for a Unified Faculty Model.

Advocating for Equity

In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the significance of Pride Month, a time dedicated to honoring the LGBTQIA+ community, acknowledging their progress, and reflecting on the challenges they continue to face on their journey towards equality and acceptance. Our guest, Annie Koruga (they/them), currently holds the position of Legislative Affairs Director for Region IV of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC). Their tenure in this role concludes on July 1, after which they will transition to the position of Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the SSCCC in the upcoming year. Annie shares insights into the experiences and perspectives of LGBTQIA+ students within the California Community College system.

Throughout the conversation, Annie sheds light on the challenges many within the LGBTQIA+ community face in asserting and safeguarding their identities and rights. Emphasizing the importance of ongoing advocacy, Annie highlights the proactive measures needed to support and advance the LGBTQIA+ cause.

Speaking from personal experience, Annie underscores the crucial role of advocacy and policy in promoting inclusivity and acceptance. They discuss the SSCCC Queer Caucus's efforts, which include sponsoring resolutions aimed at amplifying queer voices and experiences. Notably, one resolution advocates for the integration of "queer studies" into California Community College curricula, providing both LGBTQIA+ and non-LGBTQIA+ students with a platform to learn about the community's history and contributions.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of Pride Month and the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for the LGBTQIA+ community within California's community college system.

Honoring Pride: Advocacy and Reflection in California's Community Colleges

Join host Ryan Tripp as FACCC PAC Student Coordinators Logan Fisher and Jacob Roe share their unique journeys through the California Community Colleges system. While their paths differ, both have benefited from the resources, workshops, and connections they’ve built within the higher education community. We are deeply appreciative of their contributions to the FACCC organization, especially in navigating the challenging legislative and election seasons. Their efforts have truly made a difference!

Student Leaders Shaping California Higher Ed

In this episode of Amplifying Voices, FACCC Political Action Committee (PAC) Chair Joel Blank and Faculty Coordinator Andrew Aleman reflect on the highlights of the 2024 election cycle. Explore the success rate of FACCC PAC-endorsed candidates for the Assembly, Senate, and local Boards of Trustees, and learn how FACCC PAC is preparing to amplify the voices of California Community College faculty ahead of the pivotal 2026 gubernatorial elections. Discover how FACCC PAC connects local communities with statewide representatives to ensure policymakers fully understand the essential role of higher education faculty.

Thank you to Ryan Tripp and Amy Leonard of the FACCC Communications Committee for hosting!

FACCC PAC's Impact on Elections and Advocacy

In this special Women’s History Month episode of Amplifying Voices, guest host Ashley Hamilton, Content Director for FACCC, teams up with cohost Anna Mathews, FACCC’s Government Relations Director, to welcome Halena Neyazi, a dedicated student leader at Los Medanos College, for a conversation about her journey, leadership, and advocacy. 
Halena shares her inspiring path through community college, her challenges as a student leader, and her motivation to rebuild the Muslim Student Association on her campus. She highlights the importance of representation, the power of perseverance, and her goals for the future—both academically and personally. 

Through her story, Halena reminds us that leadership is about action, advocacy, and lifting others up. Tune in for an empowering discussion on resilience, representation, and the power of student voices in higher education.

Leading with Purpose: Halena Neyazi on Advocacy, Representation, and Student Leadership

Host Ryan Tripp speaks with Milton Clarke, author of The Community College Reform Movement: Contentions and Ideological Origins, about how today's reform agenda, rooted in acceleration, completion, and performance metrics, often overlooks the lived realities of students and faculty. Clarke reflects on the limits of market-driven policy and the need for structural investment in public education:

“You're still throwing students into a credit bearing class when they're not ready to do it, or they don't have the support, and that would be one of my biggest complaints.”

____

The Community College Reform Movement
Contentions and Ideological Origins
By Milton E. Clarke 

"This book critically examines the rise of the higher education reform movement, often referred to as the “completion agenda,” which, since the early 2000s, has sought to restructure core aspects of the community college experience. Using community colleges from across nine U.S. states as practical examples, it explores the major higher education reforms, including dual enrollment, the demise of developmental education, corequisites, and performance-based funding. Against the popular view that support for such policies is tied to neoliberalism, it argues for a more nuanced understanding of the complicated and often indistinct ideological foundation of the reform movement, demonstrating that supporters and detractors alike draw on similar concepts such as equity, student success, and affordability. This complication is further clarified through an account of the history, processes, functions, and institutions that paved the way for the advent of the higher education reform movement."

---> https://bit.ly/4mPTlXJ


*The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges. Any content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as endorsement by the organization.

Rethinking Reform: Equity, Neoliberalism, and the Future of Community Colleges

A Conversation with FACCC Executive Director Stephanie Goldman

In this engaging episode, we're thrilled to welcome Stephanie Goldman, the new Executive Director of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC), to explore her journey, vision, and bold ambitions for the future of the organization. Stephanie shares candid insights into her leadership style, the unique structure of FACCC, and her commitment to uplifting part-time faculty, expanding grassroots power, and building strategic partnerships statewide and in D.C.

With warmth and clarity, she reflects on the legacy of past directors, discusses immediate priorities, and offers an inspiring call to action for deeper member engagement.

A Conversation with FACCC Executive Director Stephanie Goldman

This episode, hosted by FACCC Past President Wendy Brill-Wynkoop, features De Anza College faculty member Chesa Caparas, who teaches English and Asian American and Asian Studies, and Tim Shively, English faculty and President of both the Foothill–De Anza Faculty Association and the Bay Faculty Association. Together, they take a closer look at how AI tools are being piloted across California Community Colleges, examining both the promises and the pitfalls. Their conversation explores how emerging technologies are reshaping faculty work, from workload and evaluation to academic freedom and governance, while also raising pressing questions about data privacy, institutional accountability, and the future of teaching and learning in the CCC system.

Thank you to our guests:
Chesa Caparas
English and Asian American and Asian Studies Faculty
Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador
Faculty Coordinator, Women's Resource and Advocacy Center
AI Faculty Fellow

Tim Shively 
English Instructor, De Anza College
President, Foothill-De Anza CCD
President, Bay Faculty Association

During the discussion, the guests highlight “Empire of AI,” written by Karen Hao, a leading journalist known for her reporting on artificial intelligence.

FACCC

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