Welcome West Valley College Leaders
Hello everyone,
I am excited and looking forward to holding the second annual summer leadership retreat on June 11 and 12, 2025, with over fifty campus leaders across four West Valley College constituency groups. This year's location will be held at History Club of Los Gatos 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
Presenters
Shusaku Horibe, Ph.D. and JD Schramm, Ph.D.
Strategic Educational Continuity Plan
Developing Mission-Aligned Goals and Strategy & Crafting Narrative
Learn More About Presenter Learn More About Presenter
Katie Haraguchi
Identifying and Understanding Emotional Triggers
Crucial Conversations for College Leaders
Learn More About PresenterAgenda
Day 1: June 11, 2025
| Activity | Facilitators | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Group | 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. |
| Welcome & Introductions | Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza | 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. |
| Team Building: Purpose Exercise | Dr. Leah Weiss | 9:15 - 10:25 a.m. |
| Break/Outdoor Activity | Group | 10:25 - 10:40 a.m. |
| Crucial Conversations for College Leaders | Katie Haraguchi | 10:40 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. |
| Lunch and Group Photo Please wear WVC Blue and Orange for the photo! |
Group | 12:40 - 1:40 p.m. |
| Human Centered Design | Rene Durazzo | 1:40 - 3:40 p.m. |
| Break | Group | 3:40 - 3:55 p.m. |
| Day 1 Reflection & Close | Dr. Leah Weiss | 3:55 - 4:25 p.m. |
| Team Dinner | Group (RSVP Only) | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
Session Descriptions
- Human Centered Design - This session involves differentiating Systems Thinking vs. Design Thinking.
- Crucial Conversations for College Leaders - This session involves West Valley College administrators and leaders learning practical tools from the Crucial Conversations framework to navigate high-stakes discussions.
- Identifying and Understanding Emotional Triggers - This session involves recognizing one's reactions to emotional triggers to help plan how to address different situations.
Day 2: June 12, 2025
| Activity | Facilitators | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Group | 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. |
| Welcome & Introductions | Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza | 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. |
| Team Building & Ice Breaker: Belonging Exercise | Dr. Leah Weiss | 9:15 - 10:25 a.m. |
| Break/Outdoor Activity | Group | 10:25 - 10:40 a.m. |
| Developing Mission-Aligned Goals and Strategy & Crafting Narrative | Dr. Shusaku Horibe & Dr. JD Schramm | 10:40 a.m. - 12:40 p.m. |
| Lunch | Group | 12:40 - 1:25 p.m. |
| Healing & Play - Interactive | Lakiba Pittman | 1:25 - 3:25 p.m. |
| Break | Group | 3:25 - 3:40 p.m. |
| Day 2 Reflection | Dr. Leah Weiss | 3:40 - 4:10 p.m. |
| Retreat Closing & Next Steps | Dr. Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza | 4:10 - 4:30 p.m. |
Session Descriptions
- Developing Mission-Aligned Goals and Strategy & Crafting Narrative - A session where all will work with the recently adopted West Valley strategic objectives.
- Healing & Play - This session offers a restorative and playful reset through mindful movement, breath, rhythm, and community connection.
Prepare for Success: Essential Pre-Work for Your Retreat Experience
Before the retreat, participants should set time aside to review the following items:
Retreat Books
Getting to Yes
Roger Fisher and William Ury
The New Emotional Intelligence
Travis Bradberry
Please contact Elizabeth%20Tablan to arrange pickup/drop off for your book copies.
Assessments
- Assessment #1 - Developing Mission-Aligned Goals and Strategy & Crafting Narrative (LINK)
- Assessment #2 - Healing & Play (LINK)
- Assessment #3 - Identifying and Understanding Emotional Triggers (LINK)
- Assessment #4 - Crucial Conversations (LINK)
Articles/Presentations
Post-retreat Resources
Presentations
- Purpose Interview - Dr. Leah Weiss
- Purpose Walk & Talk - Dr. Leah Weiss
- Ideas Change Everything - Dr. Leah Weiss
- Crucial Conversations - Katie Haraguchi
- Belonging Table Discussion - Dr. Leah Weiss
- Belonging Walk & Talk - Dr. Leah Weiss
- Developing Mission-Aligned Goals and Strategy & Crafting Narrative