September 6 through September 17, 2025

Hello Fam,

On 10/15: I’m sitting at the Louis Armstrong International Airport waiting for my rental car. I have a two -three hour wait because they have NO cars. I reserved my car well in advanced and I prepaid so you know I’m going to wait for a car. As if I have a choice. I called my mom to tell her that I would be delayed so that she would not be worrying and looking for me. It is an hour and a half drive from Nola to Baton Rouge. So, I’ve already delayed my travel by a minimum of four hours. She proceeds to tell me that LSU has a home game which starts at six thirty. If I time it right, I will hit that traffic too. And to top it off, my mom who is 87 tells me that she has made me some red beans and rice. My mom doesn’t cook anymore, and I had planned on taking here out. Ya’ll…this is a thing and for those of you who know me…don’t mess with my food. Thank you for letting me vent.

Now onto the reflections, starting with the week of October 6.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. The weather is simply lovely, and I am enjoying fall in Cali.

On Monday, 10/6, I had our weekly President’s meeting and Chancellor’s Cabinet. We reviewed for the Board meeting.

Tuesday, 10/7, we had our Board meeting at Madera. We finished at 9:15pm. Before I went to the board meeting, I went to my favorite farmers stand down the street from the college and got my momma some fresh off the tree pomegranates. I went down the street during all the construction to my favorite place on 12th Avenue. The lady over the stand threw in some pears for me to take to my momma too. After the Board meeting I enjoyed the evening drive back to Fresno. I went to the College to pick up my revised groundbreaking presentation and to get my travel packet for my trip right after the groundbreaking. It was a long evening. And Max stayed until the end with me. Even though I asked and begged him to go on home. He stayed out of support for his position as Academic Senate President. His commitment to serving the faculty and this college is greatly appreciated.

Wednesday morning, 10/8, I picked up my rental car for my trip to the Collective Equity Institute in Irvine. After I got my rental car, I gassed up and picked up some roses to present to Jami at the groundbreaking. It was one of my favorite groundbreakings ever. It was truly a demonstration of the true partnership between our athletics department, our student-athletes, the students, employees, and Jami and her three kings. I want to give a special shout out for an amazing job well done to Sergio and his team of the best grounds and custodial team this side of the Mississippi. Robbie, Angel, Gerald, and Sandra did an amazing job making sure everything was clean, cleared and mowed for the almost 175 guests. Thank you to Sara from our very own Crush Café for providing the food. Seeing the student-athletes there and having them serve as hosts and directing the parking. We received resolutions for the City of Fresno, the Honorable Dr. Joaquin Arambula of the 31st Assembly District, Assemblyman David Tangipa of 8th District. Jami brought her employees and some of her students and she cried the entire time. James Sewell was the perfect emcee, and I loved that he was honored and surprised by Jami and her sons. It’s rare when I get to see James speechless. Actually, it’s becoming a habit as he was speechless when Renee had all of us raise handheld fans with his face on it on Opening Day. It was a family affair. We started the event with a moving presentation of the colors by our own veteran students Mark Madla and James Brennan. Ya’ll, our Anna gave a heartfelt and breathtaking salute to our national anthem. And it was our student-athlete Amar Malhi who gave the meaning behind what this new sports complex will mean today, tomorrow, and well into the future. It was a perfect day. Even the weather was perfect.

I left the groundbreaking and drove straight to Irvine for the Collective Equity Institute. James Ortez, Kimberly, Teng, Renee, Edgar, and Kirtly joined me. We had people from the DO, Madera and FCC there with us. State Chancellor Sonya Christenson gave the opening day keynote speech. Her theme song was Feeling Good by Anthony Newly and Leslie Bricusse.

Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze drifting on by
You know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me

And, I’m feeling good.

We got all pumped up for the Vision 2030 and the direction of the California Community Colleges.

I attended sessions on the intersectionality of disabilities and LGBTQIA+.

We had a general session on the JEDI- Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion. I attended a session on Leadership Matters.

Thursday, 10/9, I received a text from Kira letting me know that Clois North was on a lock down. Thankfully, the College was not required to go on lock down. Kira handled the situation with calmness and authority keeping me updated at all times while identifying what students, student-athletes and/or classified professionals and coaches that may be locked down at Clovis North. She also let me know that there were Clovis North students on campus attending our STEM Conference. Thanks to her I was able to stay in communication with the CUSD Superintendent. James Sewell also kept me updated on the students-athletes and coach that were there. Again, you all continue to demonstrate the CLOVIS Spirit by taking care of each other in difficult times. I was also praying very hard for all of you who had children attending Clovis North who were impacted. All ended well and no one was injured.

There will be a review of our processes and communication/collaboration with Clovis North.

Friday, 10/10, I heard that the was a fire alarm sounding off in AC3. Ryan was my Administrator in Charge and he handled the situation very well. I want to thank Bonnie and Leslie for assisting him and communicating with Kimberly and me during this alarm. I am again thankful that everyone was okay. And equally proud that I have a team of wonderful and capable people willing and able to take care of things in my absence.

Since I arrived Wednesday night to Irvine, the sessions I attended for the conference were on both Thursday and Friday. I returned home Friday night only to play with my dog, pack, and leave on a 5am flight to visit my mom before my HBCU meeting in New Orleans.

Early Saturday morning. 10/11, I left to go visit my mom. I had an interesting experience prior to boarding my connecting flight in the Denver airport. It appeared that someone had gotten pass the TSA and was in the terminal. As we were boarding TSA, about 4-5 agents made us all show our driver’s license again prior to boarding. They even patted down and searched carryon items for a few people. I wonder if they found who they were looking for. The flight was smooth, however, upon arriving to New Orleans, I was informed that there would be a two-three hour wait for my reserved prepaid rental car. Never fly when both LSU and the Saints are playing LOL. I got my car and made the 90-minute drive home to see my mom. We had a great time just talking and laughing. I got to spend Saturday through Tuesday just enjoying the best time ever with my mom. She even made red beans and rice for me. Mom hasn’t cooked in years. What a special treat. I had time to go visit my dad at the cemetery before leaving to go to my meetings in New Orleans.

My older daughter came in from Atlanta as she had some business in New Orleans this week. She and I got to spend a few hours together with my mom before we left out. I am so thankful to all of you for being responsible enough for me to leave.

Wednesday, 10/15, Bill Turini and I had a productive meeting with the President of Dilliard University and her Chief of Staff. We talked about the HBCU MOU and the SCCCD FIT (Faculty in Training) Program and potential pathways and partnership for the future. She would like to involve more people such as the deans and faculty. Her Chief of Staff will present the information to their Alumni association as they may have alumni who may be interested. The President will be attending a conference of California counselors and the HBCU partnership next month. Dillard has a large number of students who come from the LA area.

Thursday, 10/16, Bill and I traveled to Mississippi to meet with the Presidents of Jackson State University and Tougaloo College and on Friday, 10/17, we visited with the Chancellor, Chief of Staff, Deans and Faculty of Southern University and the presidents of Southern University New Orleans and Xaviar University.

This past week had a lot of depth. Things to celebrate and other things to cause distress and fear. I continue to be more and more inspired by you as you continue to unfold this thing called CLOVIS Spirit. It is something that you continue to demonstrate, and I hope that we work hard to assure that we stay true to the Clovis Sprit. It is what makes us special.

Always proud to serve you.

In service,

Kim E. Armstrong, Ph.D.