Classified Professional Development Day

Cultivating Workplace Success with Emotional Intelligence
Speaker: Kyle Smith, LMFT 

Kyle is a licensed marriage and family therapist and professor of psychology at Golden West College. His clinical specialty is children and young adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. At Golden West, he serves as the faculty representative for the Assessment and Care Team, a group that, in-part, responds to students in mental health crises. For over a decade, Kyle has developed processes for educational institutions to meet the mental health needs of students and staff. He is passionate about ensuring faculty and staff are empowered to meet the challenges and demands of our campuses while maintaining their own personal and professional boundaries.

Session Description: Emotional intelligence is a key, often overlooked driver of team success. In this presentation, participants will learn about the core pillars of emotional intelligence and explore practical ways to apply those principles in their own work.

Discover key locations across campus through an interactive adventure that combines teamwork, problem-solving, and exploration. Comfortable attire, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended.

The Gap is Ours: Equity, Success, and Every Role at GWC
Presenter: Andre Manukyan, Associate Dean of Equity and Special Programs

Location: LASS 101

Session Description: Our equity gaps widen at every stage of the student journey and closing them isn't the work of one person or one office. At the counter and on the phone, in the labs and the library, in the systems students log onto and the buildings they walk into, every step of the student journey runs through work classified staff do. This session takes an honest look at the numbers, traces the student experience behind them, and connects both to how California funds GWC. The gap is ours because the journey is ours, and so is the work of closing it.

Communicating for your Audience: Tailoring your Messaging around Priorities & Pressure Points
Presenter: Sally Heath, MESA Director 

Location: LASS 102

Session Description: Classified professionals hold critical front-line insights and a shared commitment to student success, but great ideas and information can get lost when communication doesn't match our listener's bandwidth. Join us for a practical session on how to frame your needs, ideas, and updates around the unique Priorities and Pressure Points of managers, faculty, peers, and student workers. You’ll walk away with simple strategies to match your message to the stage of your ideas and needs, navigate everyday communication challenges, and ensure your voice is heard where it matters most.

Beyond the Numbers: Elevating the Classified Voice Through Data & Program Review
Presenter: C.J. Bishop, Senior Research Analyst

Location: LASS 103

Session Description: Beyond the Numbers introduces Classified Professionals to campus data available through the Office of Research, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness ORPIEE) and how it supports planning, decision-making, accreditation, and continuous improvement. Participants will explore how workplace questions can be transformed into data-informed insights connected to their roles and services. The session includes a deeper dive into Program Review, emphasizing the classified role and using data to develop meaningful questions, equity-minded goals, and stronger advocacy in campus decision-making.

AI & Everyday Tech Tools for Staff
Presenter: Pratik Solanki, Director of IT Academic & Admin Support, Coast College District 

Location: LASS 104

Session Description: This training will provide staff with an overview of the software, technology tools, and AI resources currently available through the Coast College District. Topics will include learning about AI tools the District has access to and how they can be used effectively, exploring software and applications already installed on District computers that may be underutilized, and reviewing recommended tools and technology that can help streamline daily tasks, improve efficiency, and support productivity.

Leveraging Slate for Effective Student Communication
Presenters: Beatriz Rodriguez Vaca, Administrative Asst to VP and Danny Ta, A & R Specialist 

Location: LASS 105

Session Description: Learn how to create more meaningful student outreach by planning targeted campaigns, crafting messages that resonate, and evaluating communication performance through data and reporting. Participants will leave with insights they can apply immediately.

Key takeaways include:

• Digital communication strategies in Slate
• Best practices for creating effective mass emails
• Using Slate reporting to evaluate communication performance
• Available support and resources

Planning for Your Future with SchoolsFirst FCU: Understanding Your Retirement Options
Presenters: Nalleli Macias and Yesenia Reid, SchoolsFirst Representatives 

Location: LASS 104

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.

Exploring the Four Types of Communicators: How to Talk to Anyone
Presenters: Uyen Tran & Alyssa Brown 

Session Description: In this session, participants will explore the four communication styles and answer the question, "What color are you?" to better understand their own communication preferences and those of others. We will discuss the personality traits, strengths, and challenges of each communication color. Participants will learn how to identify these communication styles in others and adapt their approach to communicate more effectively with anyone.

Celebrate the end of the day with a selection of snacks and drinks. Join in a variety of fun, light-hearted field games to compete for prizes and cheer on your peers.