President's Message

June 24, 2009

Dear Colleagues:

As 2008-2009 year draws to a close, I want to thank you all for the incredible work that you have accomplished in a time of unprecedented uncertainty and anxiety. The many celebrations for students and retirees over the past weeks have been potent reminders of the meaningful contributions that you make even during the most difficult circumstances. It was truly uplifting to hear students describe with great emotion how their lives had been changed forever thanks to the guidance, inspiration, and support that they received from faculty and staff. On their behalf, I want to express the profoundest gratitude.

On June 24, the College Roundtable convened to adopt the recommendations of the task force charged with revising our vision, values, purpose, and mission; and restructuring our planning and budget processes. As we prepare for 2009-2010, I particularly wanted to share with you our vision statement that resulted from broad collaboration and input by faculty, staff, students, and administrators:

"Foothill College envisions itself as a community of scholars where a diverse population of students, faculty and staff intersect and are engaged in the search for truth and meaning. We recognize that by necessity this search must be informed by a multiplicity of disciplinary modes of inquiry. In order to ensure that every student has the opportunity to share in this vision, Foothill College commits itself to providing students with the necessary student support services, outstanding instruction, and opportunities for leadership both within and outside the classroom. By enacting this vision, the college ensures that it remains the distinctive and innovative institution it has been since its inception."

In order to move towards this vision, we will not abandon our traditionally ambitious goals but we will commit available resources to our highest priorities. We will not diffuse the impact of our efforts by sacrificing quality for quantity but we will focus on empowering student access and success in basic skills, transfer preparation and workforce development. We will not be paralyzed by lack of certainty but we will reflect on lessons learned in the past to better inform our present and future actions.

In closing, I want to thank you in advance for your efforts on behalf of our institutional vision and to applaud the role you have already played in providing a vibrant teaching and learning environment. I am deeply honored to be your colleague.

Wishing you a most enjoyable summer,

Judy