College News
Student Trustee Nominations – Extended Timeline!
Are you passionate about student leadership and advocacy? Here’s your chance to make a difference! Student trustee nominations kicked off in early March, offering students a unique opportunity to represent their peers at a District level and experience governance and decision-making at different levels. Learn more about qualifications, responsibilities, and the nomination process by visiting our webpage: https://www.yccd.edu/board/student-trustee/.
Commencement Schedules
- Woodland Community College Commencement: May 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
- Lake County Campus Commencement: May 15, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
- Yuba College Commencement: May 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
College Presidents Board Reports
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
Soccer Field Ribbon Cutting
April 7 marked an exciting and meaningful milestone for the WCC community as they celebrated the ribbon cutting of the brand-new soccer field. Thank you to the staff and faculty who joined the occasion, and to everyone who has worked tirelessly to make the new soccer program a success!
Save the Date – Si Se Puede Graduation Ceremony
- May 8, 2026 at 6:00 pm
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Yuba College News
Trustees Celebrate Tenure Staff
At the April 9 Board Meeting, the Board recognized YC’s newly tenured faculty. Professor James Prager highlighted each honoree’s accomplishments during a memorable presentation. Each faculty member received a plaque and was celebrated with refreshments.
Congratulations to:
- Jackie Baltzell, Associate Professor of Radiological Technology/Program Director
- Martha Flotte, Associate Professor of Nursing – Mental Health/Psychiatric
- Paige Sneso, Associate Professor of Psychology
Happenings Around The College:
May 5: EOPS CARE CalWorks Awards Ceremony, YC-Marysville B300 (Cafeteria), 4:30 pm
May 5: Yuba College Police Academy Open House and Information Session, YC-Marysville Rm 2149, 6 pm
May 6: Student Art Exhibition, YC-Marysville, B1100 Lobby, 11 am – 1 pm (flier attached)
May 7: Dual Enrollment Sash Presentation, YC-Marysville, B400 (Theatre) 6 pm
May 8: Radiology Technology Pinning Ceremony, YC-Marysville, B400 (Theatre), 2 pm
May 8: Spring Music Extravaganza, YC-Marysville, Theatre, 7 pm
May 11: Lavender Graduation Ceremony, YC-Marysville, B400 (Theatre), 6 pm
May 12: Student Awards and Recognition Ceremony, YC-Marysville, B400 (Theatre), 5:30 pm
May 13: Nursing Pinning Ceremony, YC-Marysville, B400 (Theatre), 3:30 pm
May 13: Veterinary Technology Awards Ceremony, YC-Marysville, B400 (Theatre), 6:30 pm
May 15: Commencement Ceremony, YC-Marysville, Athletic Stadium, 7 pm
May 18: Last day of Spring Semester
May 22: Fire Academy Graduation, YC-Marysville, B400 (Theatre), 2:30 pm
Full Yuba College sports schedules are linked here.
Theatre schedule can be found here.
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District Office News
Leadership Transition Update: Dr. Tawny Dotson Appointed the Eighth Superintendent/President at MSJC
I am pleased to share that Dr. Tawny Dotson has been named the eighth Superintendent/President of Mt. San Jacinto College by its Board of Trustees. She will assume her new role on July 1, 2026.
Dr. Dotson has served as President of Yuba College since 2020, providing steady, values‑driven leadership during a pivotal period for our colleges. Over the past six years, she has made lasting contributions to Yuba College, the Yuba Community College District, and the California Community College system—helping guide the college through the challenges of the COVID‑19 pandemic; advancing student success; supporting enrollment growth; strengthening workforce and K–12 partnerships; and championing the modernization of college facilities.
On behalf of the YCCD Board of Trustees, and our district’s students, faculty, and staff, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Dotson on this well‑deserved career advancement, along with my sincere appreciation for her leadership and service to our district. We are grateful for her impact and wish her continued success as she begins this next chapter.
We will be scheduling an opportunity prior to her departure to formally recognize Dr. Dotson and share our thanks and best wishes.
To ensure continuity during this transition, the District will initiate a search for an Interim President for Yuba College, with the goal of bringing a recommendation forward for Board consideration at the June Board meeting. The search for YC Interim President is underway.
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Meet Your Staff: Jay Vang
Jay Vang serves as an adjunct instructor in the Automotive Technology department at Yuba Community College, where he primarily teaches Intro to Automotive. Over the past two years—since joining the District in Spring 2024—he has focused on helping students build a strong foundation in vehicle operation and repair while sparking their motivation to learn more.
What Jay enjoys most about his role has evolved over time, but one thing stands out: passing down his knowledge to the next generation of automotive technicians. He values the idea of leaving a meaningful legacy by teaching and guiding his students toward success.
While Jay may come across as serious, he shares that he enjoys joking around and bringing laughter into the classroom when the time is right. Having experienced the pressures of the automotive industry, he understands how important it is to balance hard work with moments of humor to ease stress. 
Outside of work, Jay appreciates both relaxation and adventure. He enjoys unwinding on the couch, but also spends time outdoors fishing, biking, cruising, and hiking. He’s explored many trails to take in waterfalls and scenic views, which give him a deep appreciation for both the natural world and how far society has come. He also enjoys cooking and considers himself a bit of a foodie, often inspired by food videos to create dishes for family and friends. Driving through mountain passes and the countryside is another favorite pastime.
One valuable lesson Jay has learned during his time at the District is that learning never stops. He emphasizes the importance of learning from younger generations, using those insights to better connect with and motivate his students.
Right now, Jay is most excited about being part of his students’ journeys—whether they pursue careers in automotive technology or other fields. Simply being a source of guidance and encouragement as they strive for something better is incredibly rewarding to him.
Though he doesn’t follow a specific quote or motto, Jay often says, “The quicker we get it done, the quicker we get to rest,” a mindset that reflects his strong work ethic and efficiency.
Jay is especially passionate about encouraging students and reinforcing that they are on the right path toward their future careers. His friends would describe him as someone who puts his full effort into everything he does, often going the extra mile—whether it’s perfecting a meal or making sure a vehicle is repaired correctly.
As for his adventurous side, Jay once went skydiving on a whim after some friends suggested it—an experience he proudly checks off his bucket list.
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YCCD Advocacy Day at the Capitol
Trustees Harris, Cassidy, Cornelius, Ortiz, and Garcia, along with Chancellor Pan and Vice Chancellor Kaur, spent April 28 at the State Capitol participating in YCCD Advocacy Day. The visit was highly productive, with the team engaging in meaningful discussions with several legislators and representatives, including Senator Cabaldon, Senator Dahle, Assemblymember James Gallagher, and Assemblymember Mike Fong. Throughout the day, they actively advocated for the needs and priorities of rural colleges, emphasizing funding for COLA for SEAP, deferred maintenance, opposing SB 226 as is written today, opposing SB 1262, and the critical role these institutions play in supporting their local communities and workforce development. 
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Open Enrollment Now Available for 2026–2027 Benefits
Open Enrollment for the 2026–2027 plan year is now underway. This is your opportunity to review your current benefit elections and make any updates that best meet your needs for the upcoming year.
Employees can access enrollment materials and submit changes through YCCD CoreApps, with step-by-step guidance available in the HC Online Instruction Flyer.
To support you during this process, Human Resources is offering several opportunities to learn more and ask questions:
Benefits Fairs:
- Yuba College | May 5, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Woodland Community College | May 7, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Lake County Campus | May 14, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Virtual Information Sessions (via Zoom):
- May 1 – HSA & FSA Overview
- May 8 – How to Pick the Best Plan
- May 14 – Aflac Overview
- May 22 – Final Questions with Human Resources
These sessions are a great way to connect with Human Resources and benefit providers to help you make informed decisions.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Human Resources at (530) 741-8733 or yccdhr@goyccd.onmicrosoft.com.
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Notice: Chancellor Pan’s Monthly Virtual “Open Door” Sessions
Chancellor Pan will resume virtual open-door sessions in September 2026, providing employees with an opportunity to connect, ask questions, and engage in open dialogue.
District Holiday Closures
Monday, March 25 – Memorial Day
Next Regular Board Meeting
The Board of Trustees next regular meeting is on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Woodland Community 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 Board Docs. The AP’s reviewed will go to the Board in the summer as an informational item, per standard practice.
AP-7400– Travel- Substantive Changes due to five-year review. Updated language to reflect and update legal requirements and updated per diem rates.
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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.