The Falcon ReportPresident’s MessageFall brings a bounty of activity to FLC

B u i l d i n g C o l l e g e a n d C o m m u n i t y O n e S e m e s t e r a t a T i m e • F A L L 2 0 1 5

Colleagues,

As we embark on a new academic year, I am once again reminded of the joys of our collective purpose and profoundly

aware that our work truly matters. We not only empower students, we expand their horizons. As Malcom Forbes once said, “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.”

The coming year brings us a near record number of new faculty and staff, an accreditation comprehensive team visit, the opening of the long-awaited new Rancho Cordova Center facility, and the opportunity to engage in dialogue that will shape the future of Folsom Lake College. We will welcome twelve new full time faculty, fourteen new classified staff, and two new administrators at convocation. These new Falcons will carry on our commitment to students and traditions, so please introduce yourself and give them a warm FLC welcome.

In October, the college will host a team of community college peer evaluators as part of the college’s six-year comprehensive accreditation review process. The team will report their findings in a Team Report that will identify exemplary practices and areas for improvement. This process, while stressful, should provide a clear framework for furthering our outstanding services to students.

Mark your calendars for a much anticipated event – the grand opening of the new Rancho Cordova Center facility! On Wednesday, October 28, join your colleagues and members of the community for the ribbon cutting ceremony. I had the distinct pleasure of getting a hard hat tour recently and I was astonished by the grandeur of the new building. I’d seen the blueprints, yes, but the ambience of the building exceeded all my expectations. Large, airy classrooms filled with light and expansive gathering areas made for a striking and welcoming facility. I cannot wait to see the halls teeming with students!

This fall also begins the year-long preparation of an Educational Master Plan (EMP), an educational blueprint for FLC the next ten years. This document will serve as a guide for institutional and program development at all three sites. The EMP supports achievement of the college’s mission, establishes the college’s most important priorities, and serves to inform college decisions regarding growth and resource allocations.

As we begin our 12th academic year, take a moment to consider all that we’ve accomplished. Celebrate our mission as an open access institution, and acknowledge how fortunate we are to have the honor of enriching and empowering students.

With great appreciation for your continued commitment to students, Rachel RosenthalFolsom Lake College President

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

- Helen Keller

CLASSIFIED SENATE

Welcome to the Fall 2015 semester!

Is it just me or did summer seem to fly by? I hope you were able to find some time this summer to rest and reconnect with family

and friends.

A new group of students will fill our hallways, offices, and classrooms. The cafeteria and student lounges will be abuzz with activity.

I started thinking about the first time I walked on to the campus of the Placerville Center (UBR). It was an overwhelming feeling—there were textbooks and supplies to buy, classrooms to find, and a new system of practices and policies to navigate. Later there was

research to do, papers to write, and presentations to make. I was grateful for the staff, faculty and administrators who were there to lend a helping hand, direct me to the appropriate resource or just offer a friendly “hello” or ask how I was doing. They were one of the keys to my success as a student.

Just as the staff, faculty and administrators of the past played a key role in my life, we have the opportunity to play a key role in the lives of our students. Some come to us fully prepared for their courses while others need more support. From support in the classroom, labs and various offices on campus, to the “behind the scenes” work, we all make a difference in the lives of our students.

On behalf of the Classified Senate, thank you for the work you do in support of our students, the college and the Harris Center. Go Falcons!

Sincerely,Rochelle FrancoClassified Senate President

ACADEMIC SENATEDear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Academic Senate, welcome to what should be an exciting Fall 2015 at Folsom Lake College. For the

returnees, I hope the summer enabled you to fully recharge your professor batteries. For the new full and part time faculty, I extend the warmest welcome to the FLC community. To all, thank you in advance for what you will undertake on behalf of our students.

This semester will be significant for FLC. Indeed, a team of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) will visit us from October 5th to the 8th in order to conduct an external evaluation of our institution’s quality. Although this may be a stressful time, it should serve to validate all that Folsom Lake College does for our students. During the visit, we open our doors to the evaluation team. One doesn’t know or control who will be observed or interviewed. To strive for an engaged and well-informed membership, the Academic Senate suggests that faculty attend their committee meetings, read updates from area representatives and provide feedback when requested.

Once the coast is clear, the academic senate has other important goals and responsibilities for this academic year. These include the revision of the Academic Senate Constitution and Bylaws.

Through representatives, all faculty will be asked for feedback. Any revisions to the Constitution will require the approval of 50 percent of the full time electorate. Also, the district and the college will work on new Strategic Plans. Finally, FLC will begin its first Educational Master Plan. These goals will help us succeed in future Accreditation visits, especially if we have many people included in the dialogue. Please consider yourself invited.

As a reminder, the Folsom Lake College Academic Senate serves as the representative voice of faculty with regard to Academic and Professional matters. All FLC faculty may attend the meetings. To address an academic and professional matter, contact your representatives.

We are off to a great start to the academic year (think: retro check and salary improvement)! Here’s to keeping the momentum to Commencement! Ok, ok, how about to Winter break?

Respectfully,Carlos LopezAcademic Senate President

A WORD FROM OUR ASSOCIATED STUDENTS

Framework of the new building at RCC

A WORD FROM OUR ASSOCIATED STUDENTS

On behalf of the Associated Students of Folsom Lake College (ASFLC), welcome to the new fall semester! It is my honor

to be serving the students of Folsom Lake College as Student Senate President.

The fall semester is instrumental in a student’s success, as for many students it is a milestone in their lives. New students are making the important decision to start their education here and returning students have made the decision to continue that education. It is imperative that brand new students get started on the right foot and that returning students are able continue with the same drive and focus that brought them here.

Our goal as ASFLC is to ensure that students who wish to become involved with Folsom Lake College have avenues to do so. Our Clubs and Events Board (CAEB) will ensure that new and established clubs are chartered for the year, and our Student Senate will continue with its work to advocate on students behalf.

The Associated Students are already at work to make certain the semester is filled with student activities ranging from College Hour events to club meetings and open forums. We will be kicking off the new semester with Falcon’s Day events both at the main campus and the El Dorado Center. Like a Snickers bar with peanuts, our calendar is packed with opportunities for student engagement.

In addition to these events, we of course have our regularly scheduled board meetings on Tuesdays from 2:00–4:00p.m. in FL1-08. If you have any opportunity to encourage students to become more involved with our campus in this manner, we would be grateful.

“Like a Snickers bar with peanuts, our calendar is packed with opportunities for STUDENT ENGAGEMENT”

We cannot wait to get started serving the student body in as best a capacity we can. This semester is going to be super rad and we’re so excited to start it off right.

SOAR HIGH, STAY FLY, GO FALCONS!Stephen MayfieldStudent Senate President healthy and happy semester,Jonathan RogersStudent Senate President

STUDENT PROFILE : José Calderon

Iwas born and raised in Mexico, and twelve years ago I came to the United States with aspirations of a better life. I am the first one in

my family to go to college, and it means everything to me. I believe in dedication, persistence, and patience. These tools are essential for success. My major is Psychology and I am transferring to Notre Dame de Namur University to pursue a bachelor’s in Psychology. I describe my experience as a student at Folsom Lake College as a roller coaster because I had a lot of ups and downs. This journey made me a stronger person. I learned to balance my life, to believe more and complain less, and to see the bigger perspective which is most useful to solve life day to day. I also learned that the classroom is not the only place to explore knowledge. I learned a lot from my peers and their work ethic.

As a member of FLC’s Student Success Support Team, I would not trade this experience for any other, since this is the most meaningful work I have done in my life so far. I learned what team work is and what teamwork can be.

Success is achieved though dedication, and by refusing to give up. A student should never stop believing in her/himself. Having a vision for a better future will be motivational through your path at Folsom Lake College.

WELCOMEto Our Newest Faculty, Classified Staff & Managers

ANNIE FULLERFinancial Aid Clerk II

REYNANDO ACCOOEAdministration of Justice

Assistant Professor/Coordinator

KALEEN ARMSTRONGAdmissions & Records

Evaluator I

RAYMOND BATESCustodian

AMY BRINKLEYLibrarian

JOSH FERNANDEZEnglish Assistant Professor

JAYSON LEACHCustodian

KALINDA JONESHuman Services

Assistant Professor

WILLIAM GARCIAAthletic Trainer

BERNARD GIBSONDean of Student Services

ROSE GIORDANONutrition Assistant Professor

LOLLIE HERNANDEZAdmissions & Records Clerk III

KASSY FURTADOCounseling Clerk II

SUSAN CALISEAccount Clerk III

REGINA MADUELLLibrary/Media Technical

Assistant

BARBARA LINDSEYInstructional Assistant,

Rancho Cordova Center

JUSTIN JOHNSONKinesiology Assistant

Professor/Men’s Soccer Coach

MAX MAHONEYChemistry Assistant Professor

SONDRA LEEConfidential Administrative

Assistant III

KEITH CLAYTONMathematics

Assistant Professor

WELCOMEto Our Newest Faculty, Classified Staff & Managers

ARIANA ROSSEOP&S Clerk II

KRISI SIMENTALEnglish Assistant Professor

SAM RASKINLearning Skills Coordinator

LAUREN McDOWELLCustodian

RICHARD MOWRERHistory Assistant Professor

TERRY MULLIGANHead Custodian

MOLLY SENECALDean of Planning and Research

TRACEY VALVERDELibrary/Media Technical

Assistant

TATIANA STEFANCOClerk II,

Rancho Cordova Center

BI NGUYENMathematics

Assistant Professor

BETH SPRINKELConf. Administrative Assistant III

18 Years of Service

MARCIA ALBERTLearning Skills Coordinator

12 Years of Service

THANK YOUto Our Recently Retired Faculty & Staff

WENDA VANDER WERFConfidential Administrative

Assistant I

ED WOFFORDHead Custodian

14 Years of Service

The HARRIS CENTERIn addition to the usual array of popular offerings that range from “Weird Al” Yankovic to the international sensation STOMP, this semester the Harris Center also has a number of presentations of special interest to the campus community – all of which have student discount tickets available and can be tied directly to the educational offerings and experiences for FLC students.

Patricia Ward Kelly, the wife of the late Gene Kelly, will be on campus (Sept. 25) for an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the man who helped create some of the most memorable scenes in film history, from “Singin’ in the Rain” to “An American in Paris.” With rare and familiar film clips, never released audio recordings, memorabilia, and personal insights culled from hours of interviews with Gene, her acclaimed presentation Gene Kelly: The Legacy reveals a very personal side of this American legend and his perspective on his innovative work.

Mercy Killers (Oct. 1-3) explores chronic illness, financial disaster and the American health care system through the eyes of Joe, a blue-collar mechanic who staunchly believes in the American way of life, prizing hard work, self-reliance and personal liberty. When his wife is diagnosed with cancer and the bills begin to pile up, their lives are inextricably upended. Both a tender love story and unblinking look at health care in America in the tradition of American playwrights from Arthur MIller and Clifford Adets, to Tony Kushner and Anna Deavere Smith.

Peter Asher (Nov. 11) shares an insider’s view of the music industry in his multimedia musical memoir of the ‘60s and beyond featuring the music of Peter and Gordon. This two-time Grammy® Award winner for Producer of the Year first rose to fame through the global smash hit “World Without Love,” then moved to music executive

with the Beatles’ newly formed Apple Records, then famously (as in cover of Rolling Stone magazine famous) to producer and manager, handling the careers of James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and a host of others. A first-hand account of tales from the eye of the cultural hurricane that is the music business.

Also this fall, the Harris Center has many shows highlighting world cultures, among them:• The National Acrobats and Circus of the People’s Republic of

China display unparalleled grace, agility, flexibility, and athleticism in Peking Dreams (Sept. 18-20);

• The Bollywood Masal Orchestra and Dancers features 20 of India’s most important music and dance artists in a whirlwind of sights and sounds (Oct. 9-10);

• With musicians and dancers hailing from New Zealand and islands of the South Pacific, Te Vaka is “a stereotype smashing glimpse into the true soul of the South Seas” (Oct. 18);

• On his 40th Anniversary tour, Taiko drummer Kenny Endo is one of the leading artists in contemporary percussion, blending Japanese taiko drumming with world rhythms (Oct. 22).

This is just a sampling of the rich variety of shows coming to theHarris Center this fall.

For more info, visit: www.harriscenter.net.

When you GIVE, We give BACK.2014-15 was a groundbreaking year for the Folsom Lake College Foundation. With this kind of momentum, we anticipate an even more successful upcoming year, which translates into even more benefits to our college!

The President’s Circle Our new giving society contributes unrestricted funds to continue the legacy of excellence and enable the Foundation to respond to the students’ and colleges’ greatest needs, including student scholarships, textbook scholarships, and vital student support services. Its inaugural year met with phenomenal success with 20 new donors, and over $27,000 in donations!

ScholarshipsThe Foundation awarded 24 scholarships for the upcoming academic year, with 19 deserving recipients awarded a total of $24,300! One 2015-2016 recipient wrote: “The scholarship helped lightened my financial burden - which as a single, working parent and full-time college student can be overwhelming at times - and allowed me to focus on my educational goals of becoming a teacher. I plan on becoming a positive, supportive teacher, and without the financial assistance from this generous scholarship, I might not have been able to continue my studies. Thank you Folsom Lake College Foundation and Los Rios Community Colleges for this incredible opportunity. I will not let you down!”

The Faculty and Staff Campaign for the Annual FundLaunched this past spring, the new drive to increase faculty and staff donations to the Annual Fund resulted in new donors and increased payroll deductions. These gifts are used to directly support Faculty and Staff Mini Grants. Last spring the Foundation awarded ten mini grants totaling nearly $6,500 for initiatives developed throughout the campus community.

Remember when you give, we give back!

For more information, please contact Sally Howard, Director of College Advancement,

at 916-608-6643 or howards@flc.losrios.edu

Liaison Officer Monica Pactol will be meeting with various college committees and councils in September to communicate what they can expect for the site visit.

When the site team is here in October, they will be requesting interviews, holding open forums, and having informal conversations with your colleagues across the college. At the end of the visit, they will hold a special meeting to summarize their commendations and recommendations for FLC that they will be submitting in their final report to the commission. We will be informed of ACCJC’s action regarding FLC’s accredited status following their January 2016 meeting.

The time is now! Every six years, the college undergoes a comprehensive accreditation process by the Accrediting

Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This summer, Folsom Lake College submitted our internal evaluation, the “Self Evaluation Report of Educational Quality and Institutional Effectiveness.” Next on the docket is an external evaluation and site visit by professional peers. The purpose of this site visit is to verify and confirm the accuracy of the report.

Mark your calendars! The site visit is scheduled for Monday, October 5 - Thursday, October 8, 2015. What do you need to do? Please review the portions of the Self Evaluation Report (found on the “Accreditation 2015” page on the Insider) that pertains to your role within the college or on a participatory governance committee. Vice President of Instruction and Accreditation

ACCREDITATION: THE LATEST NEWS

FOLSOM L AKE COLLEGE

FOLSOM L AKE COLLEGEYOU’RE INVITED!YOU’RE INVITED!

Dedication & Ribbon Cutting CeremonyWednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, at 10 a.m.

YOU’RE INVITED! to the dedication of the NEWYOU’RE INVITED! to the dedication of the NEW

of Folsom Lake Collegeof Folsom Lake College