Welcome West Valley College Leaders
Hello everyone,
Sincerely,
Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D.
President

Presenters

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

JD Schramm, Ph.D.
A Look at Campus Climate
Communication for Leading
Change

Shusaku Horibe, Ph.D.
Mission, Vision and Values
EMP Refocus: Institutional Success
Metrics

Lakiba Pittman
EMP Refocus: Institutional
Success Metrics
and Movement Activity

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

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

Retreat Book
- The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
Please contact Elizabeth%20Tablan to arrange pickup/drop off for your book copy.
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)


