From the Interim President
With the Greatest Appreciation
March 18, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
I want to let you know of my deep appreciation and admiration for each of you. You worked so hard over the past weeks to prepare for remote instruction and services for our students, and when it became necessary to make the move, you did -- with care for our students always in mind. I am truly honored to work with you.
I know the transition was not easy.
De Anza has long focused on the whole college experience for our students, with a vibrant campus and direct, in-person services. While our online program has intentionally grown over the last several years, it still only comprises about 21% of our offerings to approximately 19,000 students. I know the intensive work that has taken place to transition all instruction and all possible services to alternate formats. And I understand that not everyone feels prepared to teach and serve students in this way. This is simply an unprecedented time, and flexibility, collegiality and kindness are primary. We are still educating our students, and doing it well.
We will continue to support you for the duration of this shelter in place order and all that follows, and will provide details about spring quarter as soon as possible. I want to thank those who have provided expanded and exceptional support during this move -- far too many to name here, but certainly the Online Education Center, all of our deans working one-on-one with hundreds and hundreds of faculty, and our Office of Communications deserve special thanks from a support perspective. Please do see the newly revamped webpage on the coronavirus response, consult it frequently, and continue to recommend it to our students: deanza.edu/healthservices/coronavirus.
I do not want to leave anyone out from my appreciation, because I appreciate the work of all of you: our faculty, our classified professionals and our managers. It is the people who make the difference for the students of De Anza College, and it always has been. I'm pleased to let you know -- thanks to the work of the hiring committee during the height of this transition -- that Pam Grey will serve as our permanent vice president of Administrative Services, pending board approval. She has served our students and our college incredibly well over the past year in the interim role, and is the right person to guide us through the financial implications of our coronavirus response -- and the management of the bond we are so fortunate our community approved. You can read more about Pam and her background at deanza.edu/administrative-services.
Once again, my deepest thanks to you. I will be back in touch.
Kindly,
Christina
Christina G. Espinosa-Pieb
(Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Herself/Ella)
Interim President