Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to invite faculty, classified professionals, and administrators to apply for the All African Diaspora Educators Summit (ADES) 2026 Fellowship—a transformative professional development opportunity grounded in equity, global learning, and advancing Black student success at West Valley College.
Participation in ADES is a selective, fully engaged learning experience designed for colleagues who are committed to strengthening culturally responsive, anti-racist, and African-centered approaches to education. The ADES Fellowship is more than travel, it is a semester-long journey of growth, reflection, and action.
Selected Fellows will:
- Participate in a learning community prior to travel
- Engage in collective reflection and global learning during the Summit in Ghana
- Return prepared to translate insights into meaningful, campus-wide impact
This experience calls on participants to learn across roles, examine their own practices, and contribute to institutional efforts that advance equity and belonging for Black students and the broader campus community.
The application process is an opportunity to reflect on your current work, your commitment to equity, and how you hope to grow through this experience. We are seeking a cohort of colleagues who are ready to engage deeply with the history and complexity of the African diaspora and apply global perspectives to local change.
ADES 2026 Travel Dates: September 24–October 4, 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, April 24th, 2026
Please note: Employees who traveled internationally for work through WVMCCD in 2025 are not eligible to apply.
We encourage those who are passionate about equity, learning, and impact to consider applying for this powerful opportunity.
Complete your All African Diaspora Education Summit (ADES) 2026 Application.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kind Regards,
Andrea Vizenor
Vice President, Strategy and Equity
West Valley College
Greetings West Valley College Community,
We are excited to invite you to participate in Black Student Success Week 2026, taking place April 20–24, 2026. This year’s theme—“Revolution (Re)defining Black Student Success” calls on all of us to reflect, learn, and take action to advance equity and outcomes for Black and African American students.
This statewide convening brings together educators, students, and leaders to explore how institutions can intentionally design systems, practices, and cultures that support Black student success. Throughout the week, you will hear powerful insights from newly designated Black Serving Institutions (BSIs) and engage in conversations that connect vision to action.
April 20–24, 2026: Week at a Glance
All virtual sessions are open to faculty, staff, administrators, and students. Webinar links are provided with event registration at blkstudentsuccess.com.
| Event | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| The Black Hour Daily webinars featuring thought leaders and practitioners. |
April 20–24, 2026 | Noon–1 p.m. |
| The After Party Daily small group discussion forums to reflect and connect. |
April 20–24, 2026 | 1–2 p.m. |
| The BlackOut – Advocacy Day A day of collective advocacy and action. |
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | All-day |
| The Student Hour Daily student-centered webinars designed to support success and belonging. |
April 20–24, 2026 | 5–6 p.m. |
| The Sneaker Ball In-person closing celebration at regional host sites. |
Friday, April 24, 2026 | TBA |
Why Participate?
Black Student Success Week is an opportunity to:
- Deepen our collective commitment to equity and belonging
- Learn actionable strategies to improve student outcomes
- Engage in meaningful dialogue across roles and experiences
- Center student voice, resilience, and excellence
We especially encourage participation from:
- Faculty and instructional teams
- Student services professionals
- Outreach, Dual Enrollment, and TRIO programs
- Student leaders and organizations
- Umoja, A2MEND, and identity-centered programs
Save the Date and Register
- Dates: April 20–24, 2026
- Registration Opens: March 2, 2026
- Website: blkstudentsuccess.com
- Follow updates: @cablackstudents (X and Instagram)
This week is more than a series of events, it is a call to (re)define what student success looks like and to ensure our systems reflect the brilliance, potential, and lived experiences of our students.
We look forward to learning alongside you.
With appreciation,
Andrea Vizenor
Vice President, Strategy and Equity
West Valley College