Previous Flex Days: Fall 2025 | Spring 2025 | Fall 2024 | Spring 2024 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2023 | Fall 2022 | Spring 2022 | Fall 2021
Saul Flores (pronounced sah–ool), is a philanthropist, photojournalist, and speaker who is nationally recognized for his social impact projects. Through his most recent project, Saul documents the amazing lives of thousands of Latin American immigrants to fundraise for an elementary school in his mother’s hometown.
His work has been featured on National Public Radio, MSNBC, and TEDX. Additionally, Saul has been featured as a keynote speaker for hundreds of colleges and universities, inspiring audiences through his visual presentations, in which he helps people realize the capacity of their immense human potential given times of extreme adversity.
10:15 - 11:45 a.m.
• Classified Professional Breakout Sessions – Math Science, 1st Floor
• Faculty: Getting to the Core of RSI – GWC Multipurpose Room (MPR 100)
• GWC Data Coaching for Managers – Math Science 155
Classified Professionals: Breakout Sessions
Location: Math Science - 1st Floor
Classified Senate: Who We Are & Why It Matters
Presenters: Diana Rochat, Dominique Tran
Additional Presenters/Support: Benjamin Olague, Jill Kiefer, Kimberly Blair
Location: Math Science 116
Description: The Classified Senate is excited to introduce itself as the representing body for Classified Professionals at Golden West College. This session will provide an overview of our role on campus, how we participate in shared governance, and how you can get involved. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and learn how their voices help guide the direction of the Senate. We look forward to connecting with our classified colleagues and continuing to advocate on your behalf!
Wait… We Have Data on That?!
Presenter: C.J. Bishop
Location: Math Science 112
Description: This session introduces Classified Professionals to the campus data available through the Office of Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness ORPIE) and how it supports planning, decision-making, and accreditation. Through an interactive “choose your own data adventure,” participants will practice turning real workplace questions into data‑informed insights connected to their roles, services, and committee work. The session also explores why certain data is collected, how it’s used beyond program review, how to request additional data from ORPIE, and how data can be used to strengthen the classified voice in campus decision-making.
Owning Your Professional Presence: Personal Branding at Work
Presenter: Uyen Tran
Location: Math Science 117
Description: Stop leaving your professional reputation to chance. In this interactive workshop, we’ll dive into the art of intentional personal branding. You’ll learn how to bridge the gap between how you’re perceived and how you want to be known—all while avoiding the discomfort of traditional self-promotion. Join us to craft your personal brand statement and build a concrete action plan to get your work the recognition it deserves.
Faculty: Getting to the Core of RSI
Location: Multipurpose Room 100
Facilitators: Erin Craig, Sacha Moore & Michelle Veyettee
Description: What are the best practices for engaging and communicating with our students - and helping them connect with each other - across modalities? The Spring Summit session on Regular Substantive Interaction (RSI) will provide faculty with practical strategies for incorporating RSI in their courses, examples of effective interactions from multiple disciplines, and opportunities to enhance their course content and delivery. Regardless of incoming experience, current understanding, or typical modalities taught, all participants will leave this interactive session with added tools for best supporting students and meeting accreditation standards in the process!
Managers: Data Coaching in Leadership and Management
Location: Math Science 155
Facilitators: Lauren Sosenko & Erin Craig
Description: This Data Coaching in Leadership and Management session will support managers in preparing for Fall 2026 program review writing and review at Golden West College. Participants will examine how to interpret institutional data through a manager lens to inform strategic planning and decision-making. You will learn how to make student-centered SMART Goals and find the data to establish a baseline and measure growth over time. The session will focus on connecting evidence to planning priorities and resource requests, applying an equity-minded approach to analysis, and using data dashboards to strengthen program review narratives and support continuous improvement across the college.
Artificial Intelligence Best Practice Panel
C.J. Bishop, Mediha Din, Dani Godinez, Justin Moore, & Jacob Sherbondy
Moderator: Pete Bouzar
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Location: Math Science 155
Session Description: This Artificial Intelligence (AI) panel brings together classified professionals, faculty, and managers who are exploring and applying artificial intelligence in their work across the college. Panelists will share practical examples, emerging practices, and thoughtful perspectives on how AI is shaping teaching, learning, student services, and operations. The session will highlight opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations while providing space for participants to ask questions and learn from colleagues’ real-world experiences with AI.
Bridging Pathways: Dual Enrollment Students Reflect on College Readiness and Transition
Panelists: Lucy Hoang, Grace Tran
Presenters: Criss Vo & Ayesha Zia
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Location: Math Science 117
Session Description: This session features a panel of 3–4 former dual enrollment students who have successfully transitioned to CSU and UC campuses. The panel will offer firsthand insights into the experiences, challenges, and successes of students balancing college coursework with high school responsibilities. Faculty and staff will gain a deeper understanding of how to better support dual enrollment students and strengthen partnerships with local high schools.
From Text to Talk: Reimagining Discussion Boards Through Video Responses
Presenter: Hailey White
Audience: Faculty
Location: Math Science 116
Session Description: This session will explore an innovative approach to online engagement by replacing traditional written discussion posts with video responses. Learn how this method fosters an online classroom community, supports diverse learning styles, and discourages reliance on AI-generated text. This assignment is more exciting for students to complete than the traditional written discussion posts, and it's more enjoyable for faculty to grade!
Hidden in Plain Sight: Student Parents at GWC
Presenters: LeeAnn Gomez, Carla Martinez, Tim Mueller, Christina Ryan Rodriguez
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Panelists: Cesar Flores Olmedo, LeeAn Gomez, and Val Ibarra
Location: Math Science 157
Session Description: Did you know there are approximately 300,000 undergraduate student parents in California and that 66% of them attend community college? Student Parents may go unnoticed at GWC, yet they bring resilience and strong motivation that enriches our campus and classrooms. In this session you will learn more about GWC’s involvement in the California Alliance for Student Parent Success’ Community of Practice, hear directly from GWC student parents about their experiences on campus, and learn about strategies and practices that support student parent success at GWC.
Student Centered Funding Formula Basics
Dorsie Brooks & Lauren Sosenko
Audience: Classified Professionals & Faculty
Location: Math Science 162
Session Description: This breakout session will cover the basics of the Student-Centered Funding Formula (SCFF) and examine ways that faculty and classified professionals can impact the funding that the college receives. This is an interactive session!
Working with the College Foundation
Presenter: Jen Mower, Director, College Foundation
Audience: Deans, Department Chairs, Faculty Club Advisors
Location: Math Science 161
Session Description: Come learn more about the GWC Foundation and how we partner across campus. We will discuss how to manage any departments accounts, the process to open an account, what steps should happen if you want to fundraise for your department or student club, process for accepting in-kind donations, how to establish a scholarship and more.
All Kinds of Smart: Applying the Multiple Intelligences Theory
Presenter: Jeanette Adame
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Location: Math Science 117
Session Description: Have you ever felt like you learn differently than the people around you? You are not alone! According to Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences (MI) Theory, there are nine unique learning styles. Each person possesses all nine, but most people benefit from using one or 3 more of their top three intelligence styles. This session will familiarize participants with the MI Theory and discuss implementation strategies that may lead to more equitable learning outcomes.
Executive Session
Presenter: ???
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Location: Math Science 157
Session Description: ???
Serving Veteran Students with Student Panel
Presenters: Stephani Rogers, Logan Shreve, Christie Vega
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Location: Math Science 161
Session Description: This workshop is designed to help faculty better understand and support our Veteran and military-connected students. Participants will receive an overview of education benefits, learn effective strategies for supporting Veterans in the classroom, and explore the services available through the Veterans Resource Center. The session will conclude with a student panel featuring current GWC Student Veterans and alumni sharing their experiences and insights.
Streamline and improve your Canvas course accessibility with TidyUP and UDOIT Advantage
Presenter: Julie Uyen Nguyen
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Location: Math Science 162
Session Description: Copying old course content saves time but burdens you and your students with redundant, outdated, and broken materials. Join our break-out session to learn about TidyUP and UDOIT Advantage, the two course organization tools that can help solve these issues, preparing a clean course for the new semester.
Schools First FCU
Presenters: Nalleli Macias and Yesenia Reid, SchoolsFirst Representatives
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Location: Math Science 166
Session Description: Learn about the retirement savings plans available to you, including a basic overview of your CalSTRS or CalPERS pension and why it's important to build additional savings. Representatives from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union will walk you through your options, including 403(b) and 457(b) plans, and guide you on how to enroll. Take advantage of this opportunity to gain confidence in your financial future and better prepare for retirement—no matter where you are in your career journey.
Tutoring and Learning Center Updates and Best Practices for Faculty
Presenter: Jeannette Jaramillo
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Managers
Location: Math Science 112
Session Description: Want to learn more about instructional support at GWC? In this session, we will review the Tutoring and Learning Center resources available in Spring 2026, recent changes, and upcoming updates. Faculty will have the opportunity to share and learn new strategies to integrate the TLC into their courses and increase student engagement. This session will also include an overview of current resources, student incentives, student referrals, classroom visit/tour request form, and future opportunities for collaboration between faculty and the TLC.
Navigating Hiring at CCCD: Insights, Strategies, and Practical Tools
Presenter: Kezia Baten-Sangkay
Audience: Classified Professionals, Faculty, Manager
Location: Math Science 116
Session Description: Gain a clear and practical understanding of the Coast Community College District hiring process from application to interview. This session highlights how search committees evaluate materials, what makes supplemental question responses stand out, and key strategies for preparing strong applications. Participants will also engage in a hands‑on activity to strengthen a sample response, offering insight valuable for applicants, supervisors, and anyone interested in how hiring decisions are made across the district.
Carry It Forward: Designing a Vision Board for the Year Ahead
Friday, February 20th
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Presenter: Jeanette Adame
Location: Math Science 112
Session Description: Do you walk away from Spring Summit and Flex Days feeling inspired, but find that you forget the insights you gained in the days or weeks that follow? This interactive session will help participants reflect on the lessons they want to carry forward from Spring Summit. Then, participants will craft a vision board that visually reflects tips, tricks, and sparks of inspiration you want to keep in mind to sustain your professional goals through the rest of the year and beyond!
