Dear West Valley College Champions,
Welcome to the spring semester. I hope you had time over the break to rest, reflect, and recharge. Personally, I am grateful to begin the term alongside such a dedicated and thoughtful community of professionals, educators, and students.
I want to start by thanking each of you for the work you do every day in service to our students and to each other. Whether you teach, support, lead, or maintain the systems that allow this college to thrive, your commitment is what makes West Valley College a place of opportunity, belonging, and academic excellence. Our collective efforts continue to shape lives and strengthen our community.
As I will share during All College Day on Friday, our guiding vision remains clear: Actualizing a Win for All. This means aligning our strategies, resources, and shared leadership so that success is defined broadly and inclusively. True success is realized when every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to opportunity, feels valued, and is supported to succeed. It also means creating an environment where faculty, classified professionals, and administrators feel empowered to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose.
At the start of 2026, the pace of change in education is impossible to ignore. Rapid technological innovation is reshaping every industry, and higher education must respond with both curiosity and care. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to engage with colleagues at Arizona State University’s Immersive Innovation Summit, where leaders explored how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and immersive learning, are transforming education.
During these conversations, I was especially encouraged by California Community College efforts to expand equitable transfer pathways, increase access to affordable bachelor’s degree options, and use technology to better support students whose circumstances may make traditional on-campus pathways less accessible.
These discussions reinforced an important principle for West Valley College. Innovation is not about adopting technology for its own sake. It is about using new tools responsibly and thoughtfully to expand access, strengthen learning, and promote equity. As we look ahead, we will continue exploring how AI can support teaching and learning, enhance student services, and prepare learners for a rapidly evolving future, always grounded in our academic values and integrity.
This future focused work is already gaining momentum. Our recently awarded $3.9 million federal grant (to develop a new semiconductor program) affirms the strength of our vision and our capacity to lead as we expand access, deepen innovation, and better align our programs with student and workforce needs.
I also want to acknowledge that many in higher education are closely following rapidly changing national and international government policies, which impact all of us. These may create uncertainty particularly for students and families from historically marginalized communities. West Valley College remains committed to being a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all. We will follow timely guidance from the Chancellor’s Office, Public Safety, and legal counsel, and we remain focused on supporting students’ rights, dignity, and well-being. Please continue to connect students and colleagues to campus resources when support is needed.
Yesterday, along with campus leaders and West Valley College students, I attended the African American Community Service Agency’s 46th Annual MLK Luncheon to honor and remember Dr. King. While a student at Morehouse College, Dr. King wrote, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” In reflecting on his enduring legacy, I am heartened by how as a community we come together to support our students and to promote education and character—to promote critical thinking and compassion, intellect and conscience, innovation and integrity.
Looking ahead, I am excited for the opportunities this semester will bring for all of us and especially for West Valley students. See you at All College Day! These moments of connection and collaboration are important reminders as we continue strengthening our institution through shared-purpose and collective leadership.
Together, we will continue to actualize a win for all. I wish you a successful, meaningful, and fulfilling spring semester.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza, Ph.D.