Advocacy & Other Work

2023 - Present

I serve as the Curricular Vice President, which also makes me faculty co-chair of the Foothill College Curriculum Committee. In this role, I lead the Committee in the review, development, and approval of curriculum proposals, ensuring they meet academic standards and regulatory requirements. I am additionally responsible for facilitating collaboration among faculty, administration, and relevant stakeholders to align the curriculum with institutional goals, educational trends, and accreditation standards, while also addressing the needs and aspirations of students. Highlights of Committee accomplishments during my leadership include:

• New Programs: Developed and approved a range of programs, including Career Technical Education certificates, apprenticeship programs, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.

• Student Learning Outcomes: I am spearheading the campuswide initiative to rewrite all SLOs with a critical eye to modern, equitable, and measurable outcomes that align with all best practices, while also ensuring that these outcomes are regularly assessed and updated moving forward.

• Equity Integration: Incorporated equity-focused fields into Course Outlines of Record (CORs) and provided resources to support faculty on a journey of continuous improvement as they developed a more equitable classroom.

• General Education Overhaul: Aligned Foothill’s GE requirements with CalGETC, adding Ethnic Studies and refining Lifelong Learning. Replaced GE Subcommittees and optimized Course Substitution process.

• Innovative Courses: Introduced cutting-edge offerings like Ethics in Artificial Intelligence and noncredit courses tailored for older adults and lifelong learners, as well as mirrored noncredit versions of credit courses, enhancing accessibility and flexibility.

• Compliance and Governance: Ensured adherence to the Brown Act and working to integrate with Common Course Numbering for statewide consistency.

In addition to the accomplishments of my Committee, I am leading a campuswide initiative to rewrite all Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) with a focus on creating modern, equitable, and measurable goals that align with best practices. These SLOs are being rewritten to provide clear direction while ensuring alignment with accreditation standards and student needs. This initiative embraces a continuous improvement cycle, where regular assessments act as checkpoints to refine teaching strategies and outcomes based on data. The process, which began in Fall of 2024, includes a systematic, five-year overhaul of SLOs, with departments prioritizing courses and reviewing outcomes annually to foster collaboration and consistent progress.

2021 - 2023

As chair of the Disability Resource Center/Veterans Resource Center Curriculum Committee, I also served as a voting member of the Foothill College Curriculum Committee. During my tenure, I modernized and reimplemented dozens of DRC/VRC course offerings, as well as ensuring legal compliance was up to date.

District Task Force: Affordable Housing

This task force has been charged with researching, developing, and promoting a proposal for the utilization of the funds made available to Foothill-De Anza Community College District for purposes of building affordable student and staff housing.

District Task Force: Credit for Prior Learning

This task force, reporting to the Academic and Professional Matters (APM) committee, is dedicated to aligning district-wide CPL policies and practices. Initial efforts focus on reviewing BP/AP 4235 and assessing additional CPL support systems across both colleges.

2023-2024: Fellow, Mentor Mindset Initiative

This fellowship encouraged faculty and staff to engage with the concept of mentorship as an alternative to traditional teacher-student dynamics. By focusing on encouraging a sense of belonging, mindset, and purpose, instructors can more effectively support their students and help their students achieve positive results.

2022-2023: Mentor, Preparing Future Professors

In this program, Stanford students and postdocs are paired with professors whom they shadow weekly. This mentorship has students observing classroom and other on-campus duties experienced by a college professor. PFP broadens graduate students' perspectives on higher education and helps them compete for, and successfully teach in, faculty jobs at undergraduate-focused institutions.

Hiring Committees & Faculty Prioritization

• Faculty Prioritization Committee (2024)

• Dean, Disability Resource Center (2023-2024 search)

• Instructor, Accounting (2024 search)

• Instructor, Biology (2024 search)

Magical Bridge Foundation

Magical Bridge Playground is the nation’s most innovative and inclusive playground for visitors of all ages and all abilities. This proposal is to bring a Magical Bridge Playground to our campus through a partnership between Foothill College and Magical Bridge Foundation. It is an opportunity for Foothill to provide an all-inclusive setting for the entire community it serves, including students and members of neighboring communities at large. I provided guidance and support to keep Foothill disability curriculum and student needs in the forefront during planning stages.

Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities

Foothill College engaged the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities at the University of Colorado to assist with ensuring accessibility. Specifically they provided assistance with our website design and marketing, updates to our online learning platform, professional development workshops for faculty and staff, assistance with virtual reality projects, and support with reactivating our horticulture therapy department. I served as an advisor for this discussion to make sure neurodiverse voices were heard.

Emerging Technology Institute

As the first institution to offer totally online credit classes since 1995, Foothill College established the Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI) in the Summer of 2022 for interested faculty and staff to address how rapidly changing technology advancements can impact  education and enhance more immersive student learning experiences. I advise on topics of disability access and inclusion as we explore how emerging technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence can lend added value to teaching and learning.

2024

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition

Awarded by Congresswoman Anna Eshoo in recognition of outstanding service to the community.

2023

Life Member, Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society

Granted upon graduating with distinction from Arizona State University, honoring academic excellence and commitment to education.

Self Growth / Self Change

An annual tradition in the TTW program, this student-produced zine is a testament to creativity, reflection, and ambition. Each issue showcases artwork created by the students as well as their portrait, a favorite quote, their aspirations for the future, and a personal note from me highlighting my favorite thing about each student. The zine captures the essence of self-discovery and growth, serving as a powerful reminder of each student’s journey and potential.

Tools for Transition & Work Collaborative

This unique photo project invited 2023-2024 TTW students to redefine their identities beyond the societal label of "disabled." Created in collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning Photographer Judy Walgren, the project empowered students to take control of their narratives. Each student directed their own pose, chose whether to include props, and selected their favorite portrait for an exhibition. The result is a celebration of individuality, self-expression, and resilience, showcasing the diverse and vibrant stories of the TTW community.

Neurodivergent Education Support Training (NEST)

As part of my doctoral program, I created NEST for stakeholders in the education of neurodivergent young adults. This resource has proved valuable for many people whose lives intersect with neurodivergent college students, with a goal of normalizing neurodiversity.