Welcome West Valley College Leaders!
I am pleased to welcome campus colleagues to the Third Annual Summer Leadership Retreat, taking place June 9–10, 2026. This year, approximately seventy leaders representing all four West Valley College constituency groups will convene at the Saratoga Country Club in Saratoga, California.
Building on the work of previous years, the retreat brings campus leaders together to deepen shared understanding and strengthen institutional effectiveness. Guided by this year’s theme, From Data to Human Impact, participants will explore how data can be meaningfully translated into actions that support student success and institutional excellence.
Over two purposeful days, participants will engage in dialogue, experiential learning, and reflection. Day One will focus on forecasting and team building, while Day Two will emphasize data-informed practice and application—supporting sound decision-making, continuous improvement, and meaningful action.
We invite you to explore the website to learn more about the agenda, speakers, and learning experiences featured during this two-day leadership retreat.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D.
President

Presenters

Dr. Leah Weiss
Lead Moderator
Learn More About Presenter

Russell Hancock
President & Chief Executive Officer, Silicon Valley Joint Venture
Learn More About Presenter

Rachelle Doorley
Founder of TinkerLab
Learn More About Presenter

Dr. Shusaku Horibe
Dean of Institutional Effectiveness & Research
Learn More About Presenter

Dr. Tanya Anderson
Vice President of Student Affairs
Learn More About Presenter

Andrea Vizenor
Vice President of Strategy & Equity
Learn More About Presenter

Alison McGann
Research Analyst, Instutional Effectiveness & Research
Learn More About Presenter

Sam Newman
Research Analyst, Instutional Effectiveness & Research
Learn More About Presenter

Jeni Swerdlow
Drummm Rhythmic Events
Learn More About Presenter

Jeff Kramer
Laugh.Events
Learn More About Presenter
Countdown to Summer Retreat
Archive
2025 Summer Leadership Retreat
2024 Summer Leadership Retreat