2024 Summer Leadership Retreat | West Valley College

2024 Summer Leadership Retreat | The 3C's: Cohesion, Collegiality, Coherence

Welcome West Valley College Leaders

Hello everyone,

I am excited and looking forward to holding the first annual summer leadership retreat on June 12 and 13, 2024, with over fifty campus leaders across four West Valley College constituency groups.
 
This year's location will be held at Green Mountain Retreat in Los Gatos, CA. The goal of the retreat is to inspire as well as elucidate our collective vision in moving our institution forward. Feel free to navigate around the website to get an idea of the agenda and activities planned for these two productive days.
 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D.
President

Learn More About President Taylor-Mendoza

Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza


Presenters

Dr. Leah Weiss

Dr. Leah Weiss

Synergy and Unity: 15 
Commitments 
of Conscious Leadership

Learn More About Presenter

Jadah Sellner

Jadah Sellner

Elevate Your Leadership: 
Creating a Vision-Driven 
Approach to Prevent Burnout & 
Lead with Love 

Learn More About Presenter

Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.

Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.

Health Wellness: New Habits, Stress, 
and Joy

 

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JD Schramm, Ph.D.

JD Schramm, Ph.D.

A Look at Campus Climate 
Communication for Leading 
Change

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Joshua Moon-Johnson Ed.D.

Joshua Moon-Johnson, 
Ed.D. 

A Look at Campus Climate

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Shusaku Horibe, Ph.D.

Shusaku Horibe, Ph.D.

Mission, Vision and Values 
EMP Refocus: Institutional Success 
Metrics 

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Lakiba Pittman

Lakiba Pittman

EMP Refocus: Institutional 
Success Metrics 
and Movement Activity 

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Mission, Vision and Values Taskforce image

Mission, Vision and Values Taskforce 

Mission, Vision and Values 
Dr. Shusaku Horibe, Tylor Taylor, Laurie 
Dotson, 
Amy Gutierrez, Shannon Mirabelli-Lopez, 
Lahela Baker-Kamai, Andrae Wara
Macapinlac 

Learn More about our MVV

WVC Senate Presidents

WVC Senate Presidents

WVC for the Future: Action 
Commitments 
Meg Farrell, Academic 
Senate President 
Andrae Wara-Macapinlac, 
Classified Senate President 
Lucas Vincenot, ASWVC 
President 

Learn More About Presenter

Agenda

Day 1: June 12, 2024

Activity Facilitators Time
Breakfast Group 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Opening for the Day: Seven Themes Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza 9:00 - 9:15 a.m.
Synergy and Unity: Embodying Conscious Leadership Dr. Leah Weiss 9:15 - 10:25 a.m.
Break/Outdoor Activity Group 10:25 - 10:45 a.m.
EMP Refocus: Celebrating Wins Moderator: Jadah Sellner and Panelists 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lunch and Group Photo
Please wear WVC Blue and Orange for the photo!
Group 12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Elevate Your Leadership Jadah Sellner 12:45 - 1:45 p.m.
Break/Outdoor Activity Group 1:45 - 2:00 p.m.
Health and Wellness: New Habits, Stress, and Joy Dr. Kelly McGonigal 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Break/Outdoor Activity Group 3:00 - 3:25 p.m.
Reflections on the Day Dr. Leah Weiss 3:25 - 3:50 p.m.
Closing Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza 3:50 - 4:00 p.m.
Team Dinner Group (RSVP Only) 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Session Descriptions

  • Synergy and Unity - An interactive session exploring how leaders can build on existing resources to create belonging at the individual, team and organizational levels.
  • EMP Refocus: Celebrating Wins Panel Discussion - A conversation with campus leaders showcasing the accomplishments and wins at West Valley College.
    • Panelists: Dr. Shusaku Horibe, Dr. Laura Plunkett, Dr. Hannah Tabor and Lucas Vincenot
  • Elevate Your Leadership: Creating a Vision-Driven Approach to Prevent Burnout & Lead with Love - In this immersive workshop, retreat participants will embark on a transformative journey towards becoming visionary leaders who excel in their roles and thrive personally and professionally. Through a series of thought-provoking questions, interactive exercises and reflective practices, participants will explore innovative strategies to reframe their approach to work, unlock the true meaning behind their goals and ignite their passion for reinvention.
  • Health Wellness: New Habits, Stress, and Joy - An embodied experiential session exploring why joy matters through movement and dialogue. Together we will explore how to build more joy into meaningful work at West Valley College.

Day 2: June 13, 2024

Activity Facilitators Time
Breakfast Group 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Opening for the Day: Seven Themes Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza 9:00 - 9:10 a.m.
A Look at Campus Climate Dr. JD Schramm and Dr. Joshua Moon-Johnson 9:10 - 10:10 a.m.
Communication for Leading Change Dr. JD Schramm 10:10 - 11:40 a.m.
Working Lunch/Gallery Walk Group 11:40 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Mission, Vision & Values Mission, Vision & Values Taskforce 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
EMP Refocus: Institutional Success Metrics Dr. Shusaku Horibe and Lakiba Pittman 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Movement Activity Lakiba Pittman 3:30 - 3:55 p.m.
WVC for the Future: Action Commitments Meg Farrell, Andrae Wara-Macapinlac, Lucas Vincenot 3:55 - 4:35 p.m.
Closing Group 4:35 - 4:40 p.m.

Session Descriptions

  • A Look at Campus Climate - Together we will look at summarized results of the campus climate survey in small teams to uncover patterns and opportunities for focus in the next year.
  • Communication for Leading Change - Leaders at all levels in the college help to drive change, but how? This interactive session will provide participants with a proven model for communicating change that mirrors the elements of a well-told story.
  • Mission, Vision & Values - Retreat participants will embark on a journey of discovery as we delve into the heart of West Valley College's identity. In this engaging workshop, participants will unravel the intricacies of the institution's mission, vision, and values, gaining profound insights into its guiding principles and aspirations. Join us to uncover the unique spirit that defines West Valley College and shapes its impactful presence in the world.
  • EMP Refocus: Institutional Success Metrics - Through this interactive session, participants will navigate the diverse landscape of success metrics, benchmarks, and best practices. Participants will gain practical insights into how institutions define, track, and leverage metrics to drive continuous improvement and foster a culture of excellence.
  • WVC for the Future: Action Commitments - This session will delve into the transformative power of action commitments and translate these actions into concrete steps that drive meaningful change. Through dynamic discussions, guided exercises, and goal-setting, participants identify actionable commitments aligned with West Valley College's values, aspirations, and organizational objectives.

Prepare for Success: Essential Pre-Work for Your Retreat Experience

Before the retreat, participants should set time aside to review the following items:

The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership book cover

Retreat Book

Survey

  • Survey #1 - Pre-retreat Survey (LINK)
  • Survey #2 - True Colors Survey (LINK).
    • Enter your results on the shared spreadsheet (LINK)

Articles/Presentations

  • Education Master Plan - Spring 2024 Update (PDF)
  • Building Your Company's Vision (PDF)
  • Core Values and Mission Statement Proposal (PDF)
  • Aspen Framework - Evolving Definitions of Student Success (PDF)
  • Top Reasons Why Strategy Efforts Fail in Higher Education and How to Make Them Succeed (PPT)
  • PACE Climate Survey: Visit the Office of Institutional Research Webpage

Video

  • Top Reasons Why Strategy Efforts Fail in Higher Education and How to Make Them Succeed (Video)

Post-retreat Resources

Presentations

  • Synergy and Unity: Embodying Conscious Leadership - Dr. Leah Weiss (PDF)
  • Elevate Your Leadership: Crafting a Vision-Driven Approach to Prevent Burnout & Lead with Love - Jadah Sellner (PDF)
  • Communication for Leading Change - Dr. JD Schramm (PDF)
  • Mission, Vision & Values - MVV Taskforce (PDF)
  • EMP Refocus: Institutional Success Metrics - Dr. Shusaku Horibe and Lakiba Pittman (PDF)
  • WVC for the Future: Action Commitments - Meg Farrell, Andrae Wara-Macapinlac, and Lucas Vincenot (PDF)

Recommended Reading and Videos

  • Origins of Don't Mess with Texas - Smithsonian Magazine (LINK)
  • Illuminate Model Executive Summary - Provided by the Authors (PDF)
  • Illuminate Model Workshop - One-hour with Case Study (LINK)
Last Updated 7/2/26