Executive Committee Newsletter

Make a college wide impact, and gain career development and leadership: Join the Accreditation Steering Committee (ASC) for Faculty FLEX or Staff Professional Growth!

Your Accreditation Steering Committee (ASC) Co-Chairs, Pam Guenther, Keller Magenau, and Matthew Mooney are seeking committee members to participate in this important college wide effort. 

Serving on ASC is one of the most impactful ways employees can contribute to SBCC. 

Why join? 

• Institutional Impact: Shape the college’s direction, strengthen the student experience, and gain a deeper understanding of our operations.
• Career Growth: Enhance your professional profile with a qualification highly valued in higher education. Increase your campus visibility by collaborating across departments and strengthening your leadership skills.
• Advocacy & Connection: Ensure your area’s successes are represented, build lasting relationships, and foster college-wide collaboration.

All interested employees are invited to submit an interest form. Membership selection will be determined in consultation with your constituent leadership (Associated Student Government, Academic Senate, Classified Consultation Group/CSEA, Association of Confidential Employees, and the Advancing Leadership Association).

Accreditation Timeline

Reaffirmation is a multi-year collaborative effort. Here is our roadmap:

• 2026–2027: Preparation & Submission
• Drafting the Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) with college-wide input, concluding with Board approval and submission to the ACCJC by December 15, 2027.
• 2028: ACCJC Review & Site Visit
• The ACCJC evaluates our ISER and online courses. Following their formative feedback (Core Inquiries), we will prepare responses and host the site visit in Fall 2028.
• 2029: Official Outcome
• We receive the official Action Letter following the ACCJC Commission’s January 2029 meeting.

Whether serving on the ASC or providing input on drafts, your engagement is vital as we showcase our institutional strengths and reflect on strategic direction for improvement. Stay tuned for regular updates from the Steering Committee.

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With the fall semester in full swing, our campus is humming with energy, dynamic classroom discussions, and critical initiatives. We know how demanding this time of year can be, and we deeply appreciate the hard work you put into supporting our students every day. As workload and deadlines pile up, please remember to take time to care for yourselves and one another during these busy weeks. 

An email went out this week regarding faculty hiring for full-time faculty positions for the 2027-2028 academic year. While we fully intend to hire full-time faculty for the coming year, the exact number of openings will depend on several factors, including our Fall 2027 and advanced Fall 2028 Faculty Obligation Number (FON) requirements, state funding allocations, and confirmed retirements. We are currently submitting reporting data to the state to determine our Fall 2027 FON obligations and are finalizing the count of anticipated retirements.

We look forward to collaborating with the Academic Senate and campus stakeholders throughout this process. Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and community!

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2026-27 Adoption Budget: The 2026-27 Adoption Budget will go before the Board of Trustees for approval on September 10th, 2026.  The related 2025-26 year-to-date spending report will be presented as well.

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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Human Resources would like to remind you of the opportunity to utilize our EAP program to support you, your dependents or anyone living in your immediate household with confidential counseling and referral services for job-related and personal challenges. You may contact them at 800-999-7222 or visit anthemEAP.com and enter SISC for the company code.

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Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Santa Barbara City College is proud to participate in this important national initiative focused on promoting safe and secure online practices.

Throughout the month, the Information Technology Department will be sharing helpful tips, resources, and best practices to help protect both personal and institutional data. These communications will cover topics such as recognizing phishing attempts, creating strong passwords, securing personal devices, protecting sensitive information, and other practical ways to strengthen cybersecurity awareness.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and each member of our campus community plays an important role in safeguarding SBCC's information and systems. We encourage everyone to take a few moments to review these resources and incorporate safe cyber habits into their daily routines.

As part of our Cybersecurity Awareness Month activities, IT will host a webinar:

Cybersecurity: The Do's and Don'ts

Date: October 30, 2026
Time: 10 am PST
Location: To follow via email

This session will provide practical guidance on how to identify common cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and avoid behaviors that can put information security at risk. Whether you are faculty, staff, or a student, this webinar will offer valuable insights to help keep you and SBCC secure.

Thank you for your commitment to protecting our campus community and its data. We look forward to your participation throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

IT (Administrative Systems) Supports Student Access and Data Modernization Initiatives

During September, the Administrative Systems team continued supporting several strategic initiatives focused on improving student access, onboarding, and institutional data capabilities. The team partnered with Institutional Research on planning and implementation activities related to the California Common Data Platform (CCDP) while also supporting campus engagement in the CCC Start initiative.

Administrative Systems is collaborating with the School of Extended Learning on implementation of the PRISM platform. PRISM will help support incoming noncredit and lifelong learners who may face challenges navigating the current CCCApply process while also streamlining prior education review and transcript evaluation workflows. These improvements are intended to reduce barriers for students and create a more efficient onboarding experience.

Administrative Systems continues to partner with Ferrilli to support Banner modernization, process review, technology planning, and knowledge transfer initiatives. Through workshops, assessments, and collaborative working sessions, the engagement is helping the college evaluate opportunities to improve administrative processes, strengthen internal expertise, reduce technical debt, and align future technology investments with institutional priorities.

In addition, Administrative Systems launched recurring monthly Banner and Etrieve Training & Open House sessions to expand employee access to training, support continuous process improvement, and strengthen institutional knowledge of the college's administrative systems.

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Office of Communications Help Request 

The Office of Communications Help Request form can be found on the Office of Communications webpage. ALL requests must be submitted through the Help Request form. Click here to learn more about the form.

SBCC Comprehensive Marketing & Communications Strategy  

• High Level Goals: Enhance marketing & communications efforts internally and externally for SBCC. 
• Internal goal: Provide clarity in how we communicate to students and alleviate emails.  
• External goal: Maximize the return on investment of marketing & advertising dollars within SBCC's district and out of state. 

• Timeline: 

• Spring 2026: Announcement of Comprehensive Marketing & Communications Strategy
• Summer 2026: Discovery and Build-out of Comprehensive Marketing & Communications Strategy
• The strategy is in two parts:
• Internal Marketing & Communications - How SBCC communicates with our students and how SBCC communicates among colleagues. SBCC conducted an Internal Communications Audit. 
• External Marketing & Communications - How SBCC communicates with our district (Gaviota to Carpinteria) and Out-of-State Marketing
• Fall 2026: Enhancing the Comprehensive Marketing & Communications Strategy
• The strategy gets enhancements and feedback from key community stakeholder groups
• Spring 2027: Implementation of Comprehensive Marketing & Communications Strategy

• Quick Takeaways and Implementations for Fall 2026: 
• Internal Marketing & Communications:
• My.SBCC.edu Portal simplification efforts 
• Look for an email from Hong Lieu to explain all the upcoming enhancements to the My.SBCC.edu portal. With direction from the operational My.SBCC.edu Steering Committee and heavy student feedback, the portal will be simplified to streamline user experience and usage. Updates to happen in September. 
• NeoQuadApp.com 
• SBCC Board of Trustees approved an MOU for an events and wayfinding application that is specific to the SBCC Cliff Campus. Launching on Monday, August 24, in strong collaboration with Student Services this application is the premiere channel for events to be promoted (in an effort to minimize additional emails to students) and also serves as a wayfinding tool for students to find their classes. This app is FREE for the SBCC community, and the NeoQuad team has been working closely with Student Services and the Office of Communications to implement.

• Inclusive Onboarding for New Employees

• The Office of Communications will continue to host optional Inclusive Onboarding meetings as an added resource to welcome, build community, and foster relationships among new employees. These will happen in Fall and Spring semesters for new employees (faculty - full time and part time, new staff, and new administrators). Special thanks to Amitty and Jing for all their help in curating this first program. 
• External Marketing & Communications:
• Out-of-State Marketing Paused
• Out-of-state marketing has been paused. Since 2020, the Office of Communications has concentrated out-of-state marketing in 6 key areas across the country. We are analyzing the return on investment of these marketing and advertising efforts with help from Institutional Research & Planning, and Enrollment Services & Outreach. We are currently evaluating and will have updates this Fall. 

• Hyper Local Marketing & Advertising

• With greater collaboration with Student Services, Enrollment Services, and ASG - you will start to see SBCC at more community events including, Indy40 Fest, local festivals, High School stadiums/gyms, local theatre playbills, and more. Since marketing is confined to our district by law, we are working to be in as many places as we can within our district.

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Please join us at the School of Extended for the following events: 

Saturday, November 14, 1-3pm, BC Forum: Rewriting the Human Aging Clock with Professor Joel Rothman: Event Ad

Join Professor Joel Rothman, Founding Director of the UCSB Center for Aging and Longevity Science, for an engaging discussion on groundbreaking advances in the science of aging and emerging technologies that may slow or even reverse age-related decline. The presentation will explore innovations such as gene

therapies, cellular reprogramming, AI-driven drug discovery, and anti-aging vaccines, while also examining

the ethical, social, and financial questions surrounding longer and healthier lives.

Saturday, December 5, 10am - 2pm, Wake Campus: Annual Arts & Craft Fair (flyers and ads on their way via office of communications) Applications open for students in October, date TBA.

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October 1- St.Vincents Resource fair-

October 17th- PEAC Parent University is an annual college-readiness and educational engagement event hosted by the PEAC Program (Program for Effective Access to College). The program operates in partnership with the Santa Barbara Unified School District to support low-income, historically underrepresented, and first-generation college-bound students.

SBCC’s Dual Enrollment team is a strong partner of PEAC, collaborating to help students and families understand and access opportunities that support a successful transition to college. Through this partnership, we provide information and guidance on Dual Enrollment, college pathways, and the resources available to help students achieve their educational goals.

October 28th- College  Night at San Marcos HS-This event is an opportunity for local high school

students to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of postsecondary

institutions, including in-state, out-of-state, public and private institutions. Discuss

academic majors, course offerings, admission requirements, college life and other important college information.

SBCC College Transfer Fair

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
West Campus Great Meadow Lawn

https://www.sbcc.edu/transfercenter/college-fairs.php

Financial Aid

On September 30, Financial Aid Director Maureen McRae Goldberg presented at the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) state-wide training. In attendance and providing a keynote was CSAC Executive Director Dr. Daisy Gonzalez.

Statewide Financial Aid Workshop on Monday, October 26, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the SBCC Wake Campus. 

This free, half-day training is designed for high school counselors, student advocates, educational non-profits, college outreach staff, and other community partners. Participants will receive the latest updates on financial aid programs and policies to help students successfully access funding for college.

Workshop topics will include: 

• Updates on the FAFSA and California Dream Act Application 
• New financial aid programs, key dates, and deadlines
• Best practices for schools and organizations 
• Legislative and compliance updates

Pride Center

Undocumented Student Month of Action - 2026

October 5 - 9 Campus Partner Outreach Week

• Distribute Swag Bags to Campus Partners 

• Find Your Ally shirts, keychains posters etc provided by Foundation for CCC
• EC, Eops, Fin Aid, ACC, Transfer, DSPS, Health Services, Enrollment etc…

October 12 - 16 Legal Empowerment & Advocacy Week

• Tuesday, October 13

• UFW  Legal Services - Online

• Date TBA 

• Know Your Rights workshop - w/ UFW

• In person

• Friday, October 16

• Undocumented Student Success Summit - Long Beach 

October 19 - 23 Undocumented Student Success Week   

• Monday October 19 

• CCCCO Webinar - 9:00 am 

• AI With Purpose: Advancing Equity, Belonging, and Student Success

• Find Your Ally- Spirit Day
• Student Services staff encouraged to wear Find Your Ally Gear!
• Dream Center Open House (Cliff Campus)
• 11:00 -1:00
• Come learn about the many services offered through Dream!

• Tuesday October 20 

• CCCCO Webinar - 9:00 am
• Centering Trust: Building Mental Health Access for Undocumented Students 
• Desahogate Circle - 3:00 pm @ the Well
• Wednesday, October 21

• CCCCO Webinar - 9:00 am

• More Than a Starting Point: The Power of Noncredit Education for Undocumented Students 

*market to Non Credit staff and  Academic, Transfer & Career Counseling

• Dream Center Somatic healing workshop for Undocu-Students
• 1:00 - 2:30

• UFW Webinar
• Immigration Relief for Survivors: Understanding Your Options
• 12:00 pm

• Thursday, October 22 

• CCCCO Webinar 9:00 am
• Behind the Consultation: A Conversation with Immigration Legal Services Providers 

• SEL Dream Cafecito - Meet and Greet @ Wake or Schott TBA
• Time TBA

October 26 - 30th Community & Reflection Week

• Date TBA 
• Community vision board/ drop in throughout the week
• Personal Vision board workshop for Dream students date TBD

• October 30 9:00 -4:00

• UFW  Legal Services - Online

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• September 2026