Chancellor’s Newsletter – October 2026

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 Interim Yuba College President Morehouse report here.  

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Woodland Community College News 

 

Eagles of Excellence Award Nominations Are Open 

WCC invites you to help them recognize outstanding individuals who have made a lasting impact on the college and communities through the Eagles of Excellence awards! 

They are seeking nominations for distinguished alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and service, faculty and classified professionals who go above and beyond in supporting student success, and community partners whose generosity, leadership, and commitment have strengthened WCC. Save the date for Friday, April 16, 2027, for the Eagles of Excellence Celebration! 

Nominations are open through December 13, 2026. 

Submit Your Nomination Here 

 

 

Cheer on the Eagles! Woodland Community College Soccer Schedule linked here.

 

 

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Yuba College News 

 

Cheer on the 49ers! Full Yuba College sports schedules are linked here.

 

 

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District Office News 

Meet Our Staff: Ryan Poirier, Director of Institutional Effectiveness 

What do data, student success, and a spontaneous trip to Costa Rica have in common? They’re all part of Ryan Poirier’s story! 

Since joining Yuba Community College District in July 2026, Ryan has brought a passion for research, collaboration, and lifelong learning to his role as Director of Institutional Effectiveness. His work focuses on turning data into meaningful insights that help the District better understand its students, make informed decisions, and identify opportunities for improvement. 

For Ryan, it’s about more than numbers. “A number can be technically correct and still tell an incomplete story,” he explains. Understanding the context behind the data, listening to different perspectives, and collaborating with colleagues are all essential to telling the full story. 

Ryan is especially passionate about access, equity, and opportunity in higher education. He believes community colleges do more than open doors to education—they help students build skills, achieve their goals, and create new possibilities for themselves and their families. He looks forward to building relationships across the District and finding new ways to use data to support student success. 

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys spending time with his husband, John, and their two dogs. His favorite way to unwind is cooking a great dinner and enjoying a lovely meal with friends. He also enjoys cooking, gardening, exploring wineries, hiking, camping, traveling, running, hot yoga, and choral music. Ryan is even pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy!

When it comes to favorites, Ryan enjoys reading Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. He can always rewatch a Harry Potter film or a Marvel superhero movie, and The Golden Girls and Schitt’s Creek are his go-to shows when it’s time to relax. 

One of Ryan’s most memorable adventures began with a spontaneous decision to join friends on a trip to Costa Rica with less than 24 hours’ notice. Little did he know he would meet John on that trip, who would eventually become his husband! 

Ryan also credits a mentor with encouraging him to pursue his doctorate—something he had never imagined for himself until someone else recognized that potential. Today, he strives to offer that same encouragement and support to others. He describes his greatest strengths as caring deeply, listening well, working hard, and genuinely wanting to see those around him succeed. 

One of Ryan’s favorite quotes, attributed to Maya Angelou, sums up his approach to life: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

We’re excited to welcome Ryan to the District and look forward to the perspective, collaboration, and passion he brings to our shared mission of student success! 

 

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Oath of Office & Seating of the New 2026-2027 Student Trustee Representing Woodland Community College 

Student Trustees play a pivotal role in bringing perspectives of students into the board room. Student trustees attend all Board Meetings and cast advisory votes. You can read more about a student trustee’s roles and responsibilities, here – Administrative Procedure 2015. We are excited to welcome the 2026-2027 Student Trustee representing Woodland Community College – Melany Martinez. She took her Oath of Office at the October 8, 2026 Board Meeting.   

 

 

 

 

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Chancellor Pan’s Monthly Virtual “Open Door” Sessions 

To better accommodate busy schedules and connect with more members of our campus community, Chancellor Pan will continue to offer monthly virtual Chancellor’s Open Door sessions for the 2026-2027 academic year.  

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:  

  • Monday, November 16: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  
  • Friday, December 11: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  
  • Thursday, January 21: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  
  • Wednesday, February 17: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  
  • Monday, March 15: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  
  • Friday, April 16: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  

*dates are subject to change 

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District Holiday Closures 
November 11: Veterans Day 
November 26 & November 27: Thanksgiving Holiday Closure 

 

Next Regular Board Meeting 
The Board of Trustees next regular meeting is on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at Yuba College. The agenda will be released 72-hours prior to the meeting here.  

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Recently Reviewed Board Policies & Administrative Procedures 

The below Board Policies (BP) and Administrative Procedures (AP) went through the appropriate review process and finalized in Diligent.  The AP’s reviewed will go to the Board in the summer as an informational item, per standard practice. 

 

  • AP 2340 Agendas – New policy to align with revisions to the Government Code. Information from BP 2340 has been incorporated into this administrative procedure to align with the CCLC policy structure. 

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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.