Chancellor’s Newsletter – August 2025

College News

College Presidents Board Report 

At each Board Meeting, the college presidents give a report on their college, highlighting events and news around the college. 

You can view Woodland Community College President Navarette’s report here.  

You can view Yuba College President Dotson’s report here.  

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Woodland Community College News 

 

WCC Nationally Recognized 

Big News! Woodland Community College has been recognized by WalletHub as the top-ranked college in California and 4th in the nation. This recognition highlights WCC’s commitment to affordability, academic excellence, and student success, made possible through the dedication of its faculty and staff. 

 

WCC Promo Reel 
Woodland Community College has launched a new promo reel that highlights the heart, opportunities, and impact of the college. It offers a powerful glimpse into what makes WCC a place of transformation. Video Reel: Welcome to Woodland Community College 

 

Save the Date! WCC Soccer Field Groundbreaking 
September 10, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. 
2300 E. Gibson Rd, Woodland 

 

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Yuba College News 

 

Yuba College Wins National Advanced Manufacturing Championship 

Yuba College’s Advanced Manufacturing students captured first place in the Project MFG Clash of Trades national competition, earning the top spot among 60 teams from across the country. 

The three-student team competed June 10–12 in Illinois, showcasing elite skills in CNC machining, 3D printing, and design. Their win brought home $100,000 in prize money—half supporting Yuba’s program and half shared by the students. 

This achievement reflects the strength of Yuba College’s program, the amazing talent of its students, the dedication and expertise of its faculty, and the vital support of industry partner Kingsbury Inc. The national title shines a spotlight on the college’s role in preparing students for in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing.  

The episodes can be viewed on Project MFG’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@ProjectMFG.   

Pictured: Wyatt Curry, Adam Davis, Phoenix Farrell, Instructor Joseph Baurer 

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District Offices News 

Meet Our Staff: Harvey Gill 

When it comes to making sure every employee across the District—from students to faculty to administrators—gets paid accurately and on time, Harvey Gill is the one making it happen behind the scenes. As a Payroll Technician, Harvey plays a vital role in keeping operations running smoothly. 

He first joined the District in June 2023 as a temporary employee. In just two years, his strong work ethic and commitment to learning helped him move into a permanent role. What he enjoys most about the job is the opportunity to solve problems, analyze data, and keep improving. The ever-changing nature of payroll keeps things interesting—and Harvey thrives on it. 

Outside of work, Harvey has an adventurous streak. He once went paragliding off the Himalayan mountains—a spontaneous experience that turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of his life. That same spontaneity also led him to book a 30-day international trip to India with just 48 hours’ notice.

In his downtime, Harvey enjoys reading and learning about business strategies, especially those behind major franchises. He hopes to start his own business one day. His current favorite book is Never Split the Difference by former FBI negotiator Chris Voss—a reflection of his interest in personal growth and negotiation. 

Harvey is also a fan of weekend sports, regularly gathering with friends for rounds of golf or flag football. After a busy day, you might find him unwinding with a walk at sunset, enjoying the quiet and reflection. 

Right now, he’s also working on completing his MBA at Chico State—an achievement he’s especially proud of. One of the quotes he deeply admires comes from former FBI negotiator Chris Voss, author of Never Split the Difference:  “Successful negotiation is not about getting to ‘yes’; it’s about mastering ‘no’ and understanding the path to an agreement. 

Harvey brings both precision and personality to his role. Whether he’s solving payroll puzzles or planning his next big adventure, he’s someone who gives his all—wherever he’s headed next. 

 

 

District Convocation

On July 31, District Services staff came together for a day of connection, learning, and teamwork at Convocation. The morning featured helpful updates on retirement planning, department news from the Chancellor’s Cabinet, and information about the Employee Assistance Program. In the afternoon, staff enjoyed a lively team-building activity led by Jay Lowden—thank you, Jay, for coming out of retirement to join the fun! We also want to give a big thank-you to Trustees Ortiz, Cornelius, and Teagarden for spending the day with us and showing their support. 

 

 

2025-2026 District Handbook Now Available Online  

The 2025-26 District Handbook is now available online. Updated annually with various information, it serves as a one-stop shop for valuable information about the District. You can view it here.  

 

Chancellor Pan Launches Monthly Virtual “Open Door” Sessions 

To better accommodate busy schedules and connect with more members of our campus community, Chancellor Pan will now be offering monthly virtual Chancellor’s Open Door sessions.  

These informal gatherings provide faculty, staff, and students across the Yuba Community College District an opportunity to engage directly with the Chancellor in a relaxed, conversational setting. 

Have a question, idea, or just want to say hello? Stop by virtually and join the conversation. 

The sessions will be held via Zoom meeting link and the schedule is as follows:  

  • Wednesday, September 24: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, October 15: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
  • Monday, November 17: 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  
  • Friday, December 12: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  
  • Thursday, January 22: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  
  • Wednesday, February 18: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  
  • Monday, March 16: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.  
  • Friday, April 17: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  
*dates are subject to change 

 

District Holiday Closures 
Monday, September 1: Labor Day 

 

Next Regular Board Meeting 
The Board of Trustees will meet for their regular meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Woodland Community College. The agenda will be released 72-hours prior to the meeting here.  

 

District Safety & Risk Management – Emergency Evacuation Guidelines 🚨

Disasters and emergencies can occur without warning creating a serious risk for the college communities.
In the event of a disaster or emergency:
More emergency procedures are listed on your College’s Campus Safety web page. Stay safe and be prepared!

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—– For current open positions, visit our hiring webpage for more information. —–

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Mission Statement: Yuba Community College District provides all individuals in our diverse communities access to high-quality, affordable higher education that is responsive to student needs. Our mission is to inspire and advocate for student success through our passion and commitment to teaching, learning, and social justice.

Vision: Our vision is to empower our students and strengthen our communities by providing equitable, student-centered learning opportunities.

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Would you like to have an event highlighted in a future newsletter?
 Email dwilliam@yccd.edu for consideration.