Area Report for Board of Trustees

Student Services began Fall Quarter focused on helping students access funding, navigate enrollment, and connect with campus support. The following highlights reflect our work to strengthen student persistence and belonging as the academic year gets underway.

Submitted by Jose “Tony” Garcia, Interim VPSS 

Core Theme 1: ACCESS, Reduce Barriers and close equity gaps to access for all community members

• At day 103 of Fall 2026 enrollment, total enrollment, including Adult Basic Education, reached 6,153 FTE and 8,759 students, compared with 6,340 FTE and 8,865 students in Fall 2025. Bachelor of Applied Science enrollment increased to 363 students from 312, while Running Start and international enrollment declined.
• Financial Aid reviewed approximately 1,000 more applications than in Fall 2025. During peak walk-in volume on the first two days of the quarter, wait times remained under one hour. 
• WorkFirst is also funding student employment across nine campus departments.

Core Theme 2: STUDENT LEARNING, Increase educational success, collaborate to improve

• Among first-quarter students who engaged with Counseling Center services, retention was 87.4% from Fall 2025 to Winter 2026 and 61.45% from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025. The center reports that both rates exceed the college’s overall retention rates. Updated Fall 2025 to Fall 2026 data will be available after week three.
• Pathway Advisors are building caseloads toward 150 students per advisor to support ongoing advising relationships. 
• Guided Pathways onboarding redesign proposes an asynchronous orientation, capped registration labs, and a Thunderbird Welcome Day to connect enrollment support with campus belonging.

Core Theme 3: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, Create a more inclusive working environment and a more valued , visible relationship with communities we serve

• International Student Programs is conducting fall recruitment in China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and South Korea to strengthen partnerships and support future enrollment. Outreach and Recruitment is organizing the October 24 Pacific Islander summit, PICA.
• ASHC student leaders will attend the National Student Government Summit in Washington, DC, beginning October 8, with meetings planned with congressional offices to elevate student perspectives.
• ASHC Save the Dates:
  • Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday November 17th
  • Noodle Network (Forum with EC) on  Tuesday December 1st 

Core Theme 4: CULTURE & CAPACITY, Become an anti-racist college through intentional development of employees, facilities, and systems that support student success and close equity gaps

• CORE Student Leaders completed 68.5 hours of training in leadership, campus resources, and their specific roles. Thunderweek offered a resource fair, open house, clubs fair, and carnival, with anticipated participation exceeding 500 students across the four events.
• Advising welcomed Pathway Advisor Nicole Davis, who brings more than 15 years of advising experience, and Kennedy Tipton, Program Manager for Career and Transfer Services.

Division Honors and Achievements

• Athletics and its support staff are advising and mentoring approximately 185 full-time students, including 140 current and 45 former student athletes. 
• Men’s Soccer is undefeated in league play and in first place; Volleyball holds a 16–2 record. Women’s soccer is ½ game out of 1st place.

Report submitted by Interim Vice President of Student Services, Jose “Tony” Garcia