President/CEO Message
December 21, 2020
Campus Community,
I am excited to publish my last President/CEO Message for 2020, and I am eager to begin our holiday break. This has been a challenging year for me, leading Compton College and Compton Community College District through the COVID-19 pandemic and personally experiencing a pulmonary embolism in summer 2020. These experiences have given me a new perspective on life. I truly appreciate everyone's commitment to student success, and I look forward to the many challenges we will face in 2021.
The President/CEO Message - December 21, 2020, includes COVID-19 information and other campus-related updates.
Compton College COVID-19 Update
Los Angeles County's current risk level is Tier 1 (widespread), according to California's "Blueprint for a Safer Economy." On December 20, 2020, there were 13,315 newly recorded confirmed cases in Los Angeles County. The county now has a total of 623,670 reported cases (including cases reported by Long Beach and Pasadena Health Departments). For more information, go to publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/data/index. According to the Compton CCD Pandemic Outbreak - Emergency Operations Plan, Compton College continues to operate at Level Four - Severe Infection Rate.
Final Distribution of Free Groceries
On Wednesday, December 23, 2020, 1,200 30-pound grocery boxes will be available at the east Greenleaf Boulevard entrance between noon and 5:00 p.m. Students must show their Compton College student ID or a copy of their fall 2020 class schedule. The Sunrise Produce Grocery Boxes are available on a first-come-first-served basis, while supplies last. Compton College employees are also invited to pick up a box at the Greenleaf entrance. Drive-thru and walk-up service will be available.
Last Call for Volunteers for Distributing Grocery Boxes
I am asking for staff and faculty volunteers to help distribute the last 1,200 grocery boxes mentioned above. Please email Student Services Coordinator Oluwatosin Williams at owilliams@compton.edu if you can help us on Wednesday, December 23, from noon to 5:00 p.m.
New 2021 Entry to Campus Protocol Reminder
Essential Employees, students, and individuals scheduled to be on campus beginning Monday, January 4, 2021, please be sure to use the new, shorter 2021 Wellness Questionnaire available via MyCompton. The survey must be completed within 12 hours of your scheduled arrival time, no sooner.
Monthly COVID-19 testing will continue to be required of all essential employees and students scheduled to be on campus regularly for work or class. Students enrolled in Auto Collision Repair/Painting 106 for Winter 2021 will be notified by the Dean of Student Learning, Paul Flor, of the Entry to Campus Protocol.
Winter 2021 and Spring 2021 Enrollment Update
As of today, December 21, 2020, Compton College has generated 215 FTES for the Winter 2021 term; the fill rate is currently 52%, and our seats filled is 1,739. Compton College has generated 567 FTES as of today, December 21, 2020, for the Spring 2021 semester, with a fill rate of 23% and seats filled is 3,785. The Winter 2021/Spring 2021 Enrollment Report is available here. A postcard has been mailed to all district residents encouraging them to register for the winter term and spring semester.
Tartar Focused and Directed Pathways to Completion Committee (Guided Pathways)
In the President/CEO Message - September 10, 2020, I announced that each Tartar Success Team would receive $10,000 to support student success activities. Submitted proposals, both approved and pending approval, are available here, listed by the Guided Pathway Division. In future President/CEO Messages, I will provide updates on the funding to support student success activities.
#Real114 Leadership Academy
In fall 2016, the prior administration at the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office rejected the Compton College Coordinated Leadership Development Program Funding Proposal. As many may be aware, I was upset since most colleges that were funded already had well-established professional development offices. Last week, I was thinking about the rejection of this proposal and the amount we pay to outside groups to send our faculty and staff for leadership training. Last week, I was informed that the California State University, Fullerton Leadership Institute for Tomorrow (LIFT) program start date was changed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the change in their schedule, Compton College will not participate in the LIFT program.
I am proud to announce the #Real114 Leadership Academy will be held July 12-16, 2021. The intensive five-day conference will build capacity and enhance the leadership skills of Classified staff. The #Real114 Leadership Academy aligns with Compton College 2024 Comprehensive Master Plan and will help build a culture of diverse leadership. This is a cohort style (12 participant limit) developmental experience where participants will design and execute a leadership project. Additionally, participants will work during the academic year to build community and leadership at Compton College. The first cohort will include the individuals selected to participate in the LIFT program. We will review the applications of others who apply for the LIFT program to select an additional seven participants. If you have any suggestions regarding the curriculum and workshop presentations for the #Real114 Leadership Academy, please forward them to Pilar Huffman, Professional Manager, at phuffman@compton.edu.
Compton College Virtual Backgrounds Available for Download
Virtual backgrounds with photos of Compton College and the college logo are available for download here. Employees and students may download the jpegs for use on Zoom and other virtual platforms. Backgrounds for each of the five Guided Pathway Divisions are also available.
How Would You Describe Compton College-2020?
How would you describe 2020 in terms of what Compton College has accomplished? If you could use one word to illustrate how we have helped students succeed during a pandemic, what would it be? Please send ONE WORD to Paula VanBrown, pvanbrown@compton.edu, by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. We will create a word cloud and include it in a future President/CEO Message.
Final Thoughts
In the President/CEO Message - December 17, 2020, I asked all Compton College employees to describe 2020 in terms of what Compton College has accomplished. My word is 'Amazing.' We were able to transition to online learning and student support services very quickly; we were able to respond to meeting the basic student needs (laptops, wi-fi hotspots, emergency grants, and food resources); and we continued to focus on the recommendations and activities outlined in the Compton College 2024 Comprehensive Master Plan.
In closing, it is truly an honor to serve as the President/CEO of Compton College and Compton Community College District. Have a relaxing and happy holiday season and winter break. I sincerely appreciate everything each of you does to make every student a success story!
The last President/CEO Message of 2020 is done, published, and Curry Out.
Keith Curry, Ed.D.
(preferred pronouns: he/him/his)
President/CEO
Compton College
