CLEARLAKE—This week at the Judge’s Breakfast in Clearlake guest speaker, Woodland Community College Interim Dean Dr. Annette Lee, discussed the current state and future plans of the college. Changes are happening at the campus including the installation of a new sign, expansion of the Dual Enrollment program, a shift to telecommuting on Fridays, and the urgent need to better represent the Lake County Campus by forming a coalition to hone in on the community’s needs.
Lee was appointed to the interim dean position by the Yuba Community College District Board this past July to act in this capacity while the board seeks a replacement for her successor Dr. Cirilo Cortez. Lee shared “We’re hoping to have a permanent dean back in position by January. That is an update about the permanent leadership at the campus.” Lee also shared that after years of work advocating to replace the current temporary sign with a permanent one, that they have finally succeeded. “All of us who visit the campus feel a little bit of a punch in the gut when we see those two four by fours with the vinyl sign out front, it’s not an accurate representation of our institution.”
Just recently the Yuba Community District (the district aligned with the Lake County Campus) decided to adopt a tele-commuting schedule, closing the campus office and allowing staff to work from home. According to Lee, “Basically our administration building, that big two story building, is going to be closed to the public on Fridays but everybody that works in the building will be accessible to the public via zoom, phone, or other means of technology.” Classes are still held in person on Fridays and all services are still available. Ultimately this allows the campus to offer more flexibility for staff which they hope will help retain staff members in this competitive job pool.
Since accepting her position Lee has worked to improve the campus and increase programs including outreach programs to the local high schools. One such program is the Dual Enrollment program where college educators travel to participating high schools to teach college equivalent classes. Lee said, “We have a new Dual Enrollment Coordinator who is trying to coordinate both Middletown and Lower Lake High Schools. It’s a little slow going, but we’re making progress.” This program is especially appreciated at Middletown High School because currently they lack a science teacher.
Lee said Middletown High School currently has no science teacher and the program helps with these types of staffing issues. “You can imagine as someone with a freshman in high school this year how I feel about my daughter not having a biology teacher, I’m very concerned. Luckily, I’m in a position where I employ a biology instructor and am able to put together a solution where hopefully my biology instructor at the college will be able to travel to Middletown high school in the spring semester two days a week and offer a biology class that kids will get high school and college credit for, it’s a win-win solution.”
Lee also discussed ongoing issues stemming from differences in Yuba Community College’s mission and its benefit to this community as the two counties vary greatly. (YCCD has a campus in Yolo County.)
Lake County Office of Education Superintendent Brock Falkenberg asked “What is the focus of Woodland Community College and does it align with the needs of Lake County?” Lee detailed how the YCC’s focus is on promoting transfers to other institutions like UC Davis which may not be the main focus for Lake County, leaving a gap for those interested in lifelong learning programs. Lee said, “I would like for Woodland Community College to continue, in addition to being an excellent Hispanic serving institution, and in addition to making sure that all of our students should they so choose, are able to transfer and move forward to a university, to continue to look at the economic development needs of Lake County, the social, emotional, and lifelong learning needs of Lake County, and other ways that our local community college is our community center here in Lake County.” In order to accomplish this Lee suggests that the citizens of Lake County form a coalition to focus on the needs of the community.
Lee further highlighted her intentions of staying in her position as Interim Dean until a suitable replacement is found. “Working for the college for the last 15 years has been some of the most rewarding and challenging years of my professional life. I love this community… there’s almost nothing I wouldn’t do to fight for my friends and neighbors here in Lake County,” she said.
The Judge’s Breakfast is held every Thursday Morning at 7 a.m. in the Clearlake Senior Center located at 3245 Bowers Ave. This week’s speaker is Colleen Assavapisitkul, President of Adventist Health Clear Lake. More information can be found on the Clearlake Judge’s Breakfast Facebook page.
