Reports to the Board of Trustees
Each month, President Torres gives a report on college activities, honors and achievements during the regular meeting of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees.
For previous reports, please see the board reports archive.
Board Meeting of June 8, 2026
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Leadership |
In the News |
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Expanding Healthcare Opportunities |
Around Campus |
Leadership
Welcoming Acting President David Wain Coon
The campus community had an opportunity to welcome Acting President David Wain Coon on May 11 when he hosted a meet-and-greet in the Fireside Room. Students and employees
attended, as did Chancellor Lee Lambert.
Coon, appointed by the board as acting president on April 17, began virtually on May 4 and in person on May 11.
He was San Jose City College’s interim president from October 2024 to June 2025. He was also president at Evergreen Valley College from 2005 to 2010, then at College of Marin from 2010 to 2023.
Fiscal Services Director: A Farewell and a Hello
We also welcome Alisa Omeragic, the new director of Fiscal Services, who began May 26. She steps in as we congratulate outgoing director Martin Varela on his retirement on June 30.
Alisa brings more than 20 years of experience in fiscal services, budgeting, payroll, accounting and financial management, with extensive expertise in California community college finance and regulatory compliance.
She previously served as interim executive director of Fiscal Services at Ohlone College, where she oversaw budgeting, accounting, payroll, financial reporting, audits, grants
management and strategic fiscal planning for the district.
Board of Directors Notes
Two Foothill-De Anza Foundation Board of Directors items of note:
• Board members tour campus: Last month the Foothill-De Anza Foundation Board of Directors visited De Anza for a tour of the Nursing, Automotive Technology and Design and Manufacturing Technologies programs.
Our gratitude goes out to our Board of Directors for taking the time to come learn how their support helps create opportunities for student success.
• Cupertino Rotary scholarship support for De Anza students: Board members joined members of the Cupertino Rotary at the May 27 Rotary meeting to recognize this year's scholarship recipients. Thanks to the club’s generosity, 11 scholarships totaling just over $30,000 were awarded to hard-working students.
These funds are supporting students across the board — from those pursuing vital workforce careers like automotive technology and nursing, to those preparing to transfer to four-year universities. Chancellor Lee Lambert was also present to offer his congratulations to the students.
The awards video recording is available to view.
Thank you, Cupertino Rotary, for investing in our students' futures and strengthening our community!
90-Day Priorities Town Halls Wrap Up
The "Your Voice in Educational Planning" town hall took place Friday, June 5, marking the last of the 90-day priorities series introduced at Chancellor Lambert's town hall on March 24.
The 90-day priorities were developed by the Senior Leadership Team, drawing on conversations with faculty, deans, directors and others across campus. They touched on important areas including how we plan and allocate resources, how we support students and how we strengthen our programs and processes for the future.
Administrators held the sessions throughout the spring quarter, providing participants with information, context and the opportunity to ask questions and share perspectives.
Expanding Healthcare Opportunities
Grant Win: $2.5 Million for English Language Learner Healthcare Pathways
De Anza and Foothill colleges were awarded nearly $2.5 million through the highly competitive English Language Learner Healthcare Pathways (ELL HP) Round Three grant, selected from among 43 applications requesting more than $155 million statewide.
The grant, funded by the State Chancellor's Office, will support the development of accelerated, healthcare-focused vocational pathways for English language learners at all proficiency levels. Through the California Adult Education Program (CAEP), the funding will help adult learners gain the skills and credentials needed to enter high-demand healthcare occupations — while strengthening the regional workforce pipeline and building a more inclusive and resilient healthcare system.
For our students, this means new, accessible pathways into one of the most in-demand sectors in Silicon Valley. For our region, it means a stronger, more diverse healthcare workforce.
New Nursing Partnership with San José State
De Anza College and San José State University (SJSU) have formalized a new Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) for Nursing. The program is a streamlined, affordable pathway for students to earn both an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
simultaneously, helping address the growing demand for nurses in California.
Through the CEP model, students are concurrently enrolled at both colleges. They complete ADN coursework and clinical training at De Anza while taking BSN coursework through SJSU — allowing them to graduate with a BSN shortly after RN licensure, in a fraction of the time a traditional sequential pathway would require.
An inaugural cohort of 20 students will begin its first SJSU semester this summer and should finish their degrees by January 2027.
T
he goals of this partnership include:
- Expanding the nursing workforce in California
- Increasing access to BSN-prepared nurses
- Providing a more affordable and time-efficient route to a BSN degree
Together, these two programs reflect and advance De Anza's fundamental core values: A commitment to opening doors and a responsibility to build the workforce our region needs.
In the News
New Fall Programs, Mobile Health Clinic Earn Coverage
Two initiatives at De Anza received well-deserved attention from various news outlets: Our new fall programs and a new county-run mobile health clinic that will visit our campus weekly as part of a year-long pilot program.
New fall programs stories:
Mercury News:
- Silicon Valley to get its first two-year degree focused on AI
- De Anza College rolling out applied AI degree program in fall
Silicon Valley Business Journal:
Government Technology:
Mobile health clinic story:
Around Campus
Graduates Gear Up with End-of-Year Events
Graduation season is upon us! As we look forward to the big day on Saturday, June 27, it’s exciting to see end-of-year celebrations already underway.
Organizations and departments — including Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA); Math Performance Success (MPS); Asian Pacific American Staff Association (APASA) and Asian American and Asian Studies (ASAM) — began celebrations May 28, and events continue up until graduation day.
There are also celebrations recognizing accomplishment and initiative, including:
- Student Leadership Recognition Gala, June 3, celebrating the accomplishments of De Anza student leaders and honoring their service for the 2025-26 academic year. The De Anza Student Government (DASG) senators; Inter Club Council executives; Mentors @ De Anza (M@DA) senior mentors; and graduating/transferring DASG and ICC interns, club leaders and M@DA peer mentors were among those recognized.
Transfer Achievement Celebration, June 4, celebrating students who are transferring to a four-year university in the fall. The event was opportunity for transfer students to connect with each
other, alumni, university representatives, staff and faculty.
The complete schedule is available on the graduation page, where you can also find all the details on this year's graduation ceremony.
Right: Transfer students were honored at the Transfer Achievement Celebration ceremony. (Photo
by Elizabeth Smith)
Proud Kickoff to Pride Month
With June being Pride Month, De Anza’s Pride Center kicked off the recognition with a Pride and Trans Flag Raising celebration on June 3 in the Main Quad.
In addition to the flag raising, the event included art stations and music, plus a performance from Folklórico Colibrí.
Happy Pride!
Photo by Elizabeth Smith
A “Joy”ful HEFAS Summit
De Anza’s Higher Education for AB 540 Students (HEFAS) program hosted its 12th Annual HEFAS Summit, Undocujoy, on May 13 with music, food and connection in the Sunken Garden.
The free event brought together students, families, educators and community members for a day focused on empowerment, education and advocacy for undocumented and mixed-status communities.
The session included workshops, performances and a keynote by Irvis Orozco, a Sacramento-based journalist, community organizer and proud Dreamer. A UC Davis
graduate who funded his education by working in migrant fields, Orozco has spent two
decades advocating for educational equity. Today, his political analysis is frequently featured on networks including CNN, NBC,
Telemundo and Univision.
Conference topics addressed issues affecting the undocumented community, such as the undocumented identity and ally support.
This year’s summit was as vibrant as ever, dedicated to resilience, success and "Undocu Joy."
Above top: Keynote speaker Irvis Orozco; right: Participants at the summit
New Scoreboard Up and Running
The Stadium and Track scoreboard replacement, part of Measure G projects, is now complete, and the new scoreboard is fully functional.
The project has been in design and campus coordination since 2023, so it’s great to see it finalized — and it will be an immediate asset for our campus. For example, the 2026 Latinx Grad Celebration on June 23 will use the scoreboard to display photos of member events and graduates. Generations of De Anza students will benefit from this upgrade, provided by the generous support of our community members and voters.
Go Mountain Lions!
Photo by Tom Herrington