UCLA Women’s Community College Leadership Academy*
The Women’s Community College Leadership Academy (WCCLA) is an innovative program designed to help mid-level leaders tackle critical issues currently facing California Community Colleges. It is constructed for full-time faculty and mid-level administrators in academic, student and administrative services. The Academy focuses on increasing the capacity of participants to effectively lead and collaborate in times of change and improve outcomes at their own colleges. The Academy assists members to hone their leadership skills and shape their leadership trajectories.
Community college leaders developed the Academy for mid-level community college faculty and administrators to respond to 21st century challenges and dilemmas facing community colleges. Community Colleges serve the needs of students affected by increasing income inequality and poverty, K-12 dual-enrollment students, veterans, foster youth, and students who did not succeed in K -12 education. They focus on the needs of students who seek to transfer to a four-year university, earn a career technical education degree or certificate, or have personal learning goals.
The objectives are compounded by decreasing budgets. Colleges must secure more resources, promote equity, boost student enrollment and retention, increase work on Guided Pathways, recruit and encourage excellence in faculty and staff. Successful mid-level leaders are critical to accomplishing these goals. They must be effective communicators who can collaborate across varied community college units and functions.
The Women's Community College Leadership Academy focuses on tackling six critical issues:
- Recruiting and sustaining faculty and staff
- Fiscal Challenges
- Decreasing student enrollment
- Social and political polarization
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Academy highlights in-person and virtual learning in small and larger groups. Each participant belongs to a mentor circle that promotes learning and support.
2024/25 Academy Hybrid Schedule:
FIRST SESSION –
Saturday, October 19, 2024 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) at UCLA
LAST SESSION –
Last session – Saturday, March 15, 2025 at UCLA
TEN WEDNESDAYS, 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
October 2024 - March 2025 on Zoom
For additional information, please contact Dr. Linda Rose, lrose@g.ucla.edu
Application deadline: September 7, 2024
Why Apply to the Academy?
WCCLA is designed to help mid-level community college leaders effectively lead teams and members promote collaboration across units. Participants collaborate on a projects at their different colleges and meet in mentor circles to support each other and to exchange information and ideas about their work. Participants use a consultancy process to assess problems and generate potential solutions.
Session facilitators/instructors are expert community college practitioners with the knowledge and experience to help members to hone their own leadership practices.
Sessions cover six critical community colleges issues described above.
The Academy offers a platform for participants to increase their understanding of their own leadership options and methods with workshops on communication, negotiation, collaboration, and problem-solving. Career building is spotlighted with strategies for personal growth and career advancement.
Academy members meet in-person at UCLA during the first session (October 19) and last WCCLA session (March 15). Other sessions are on some Wednesday evenings, October - March. Members are encouraged to meet outside of the Academy virtually or in- person.
Women's Community College Leadership Academy
MARY-JO APIGO, Ed.D., Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Pierce College LACCD
JULIANNA BARNES, Ed.D., Chancellor, South Orange County Community College District
RUDY BESIKOF, Ed.D., President, Laney College, Peralta Community College District
PAT HURLEY, Ed.D., Consultant, California Virtual Campus. Associate Dean of Financial Aid (retired), Glendale Community College
BROCK KLEIN, Ed.D., Associate Dean, First Year Experience, Pasadena City College
REBECCA OPSATA, Ph.D., Vice-President of Instruction, Laney College, Peralta Community College District
OMID POURZANJANI, Ed.D., President, San Joaquin Delta College (retired)
LINDA D. ROSE, Ed.D., Coordinator, Ed.D. Community College Leadership, CSU Fullerton. President, Santa Ana College (retired)
JACQUELINE SIMS, Ed.D., Faculty, Mathematical Sciences, former Dean, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs/Assistant Superintendent of El Camino College
LISA SUGIMOTO, Ed.D., Vice President of PPL, Inc. Superintendent/President, Pasadena City College (retired)
Contact Us
Linda Rose