College News
Woodland Community College and Yuba College Recognized Among Nation’s Top 200—Aspen Institute Invites Both to Compete for Prestigious 2027 Aspen Prize
We are thrilled to announce that both Woodland Community College and Yuba College have been named among the top 200 community colleges nationwide by the Aspen Institute. This honor comes with an invitation to apply for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence—widely regarded as “the Oscars for great community colleges.”
The Aspen Prize celebrates institutions that demonstrate outstanding and continuously improving student success, with a special emphasis on equitable outcomes for underserved populations. This recognition reflects the unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts of our faculty, staff, administrators, and Governing Board, all focused on advancing student achievement over the past several years.
Being selected to compete for this prestigious award is a testament to our shared dedication to excellence and equity. It highlights the positive impact our colleges have on students and the broader community.
Congratulations to everyone at Woodland Community College and Yuba College! Your hard work and passion are making a difference—let’s celebrate this remarkable achievement together!
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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
Woodland Community College (WCC) has been recognized as a 2025 Pathway Champion by the Campaign for College Opportunity and was honored at a statewide ceremony on October 23.
Each year, the Campaign celebrates California Community Colleges and CSU campuses that are breaking barriers and creating stronger pathways for students to transfer and earn their degrees.
This year, WCC is one of just 40 colleges across the state to receive the distinction and has been recognized for Excellence in Placement—specifically for Campuswide Growth in Transfer-Level English Success. WCC ranked among the top three California Community Colleges with the greatest increase in the percentage of students successfully completing a transfer-level English course from the 2022–23 to 2023–24 academic year, marking a significant achievement in student success and academic progress.
Come out and show your Eagle pride by cheering on the soccer teams. – Soccer Schedule Linked Here.
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Yuba College News
Happenings Around The College
Nov. 1: Puffs Play, YC-Marysville, Theatre, 7:30 pm
Nov. 2: Puffs Play, YC-Marysville, Theatre, 2 pm
Nov. 7: Fall Instrumental Concert, YC-Marysville, Theatre, 7 pm
Nov 7: NTS, Baseball vs. Sierra College, 11 am
Nov 7: Men’s Soccer vs. Napa Valley College, 4 pm
Nov 7: Volleyball vs. Napa Valley College, 6 pm
Nov. 18: Noon recital, YC-Marysville, Theatre, Noon
Full Yuba College sports schedules are linked here.
Theatre schedule can be found here.
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District Office News
Meet Our New Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources: Chris Little
With over 25 years of experience in human resources within the public sector, Chris brings a wealth of expertise in recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, benefits and leaves, workplace accommodations, labor and employee relations, and human resources operations. Chris has served as Executive Director of Human Resources at Butte College since 2016, where he has overseen all HR functions for faculty and staff, led recruitment and selection processes, managed benefits and compensation, and chaired the Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee. His leadership has included conducting administrative investigations, recommending remedial actions, participating in labor negotiations, and advising on sensitive employee matters requiring tact and diplomacy.
Prior to Butte College, Chris held diverse HR roles at Butte County, CSU Monterey Bay, El Dorado County, Glynn County, and the City of Yuba City, consistently demonstrating a commitment to best practices, compliance, and service excellence. Chis earned a Master of Public Administration from CSU Dominguez Hills and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from CSU Chico.
Chris’ extensive experience, collaborative approach, and dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace make him an outstanding choice for this important leadership role.
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Meet Our Staff: Pao Lee – Yuba College Counselor
Since joining Yuba College in 2016, Pao Lee has dedicated herself to supporting students as a Counselor in General Counseling and the Veterans Resource Center. For her, helping students navigate their educational paths isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. She finds joy in walking alongside students on their journey and takes great pride in seeing them reach their goals.
Pao is passionate about student success and values the meaningful connections she builds across campus. She enjoys the close-knit environment of Yuba College, which allows her to create deeper, more personal experiences with students and colleagues alike.
A proud community college alumna from Sacramento City College, Pao knows firsthand the challenges students face and is dedicated to helping them succeed. She believes community colleges are places where “new beginnings can grow” and is grateful to play a role in shaping those experiences.
Her enthusiasm extends to her colleagues as well—she’s especially proud to be part of what she describes as a wonderful and supportive counseling team that shares a strong bond and a commitment to student success.
Outside of work, Pao enjoys spending time with her family, exploring nature, and going on spontaneous trips. She loves being adventurous and has traveled to Florida, Oregon, and Nevada, with hopes of taking a cross-country road trip one day.
Her favorite book is Rabbit: A Memoir by Patricia Williams, and she likes to unwind by watching movies, documentaries, or TV series with her family. The best advice she’s ever received was to never change who you are, and she lives by Audrey Hepburn’s words:
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, ‘I’m Possible!’”
Pao’s friends describe her as resourceful and curious—a natural researcher who’s always eager to learn and help others do the same. Through her compassion, dedication, and positivity, she continues to make a lasting difference in the Yuba College community.
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Yuba College Advanced Manufacturing Team Honored for National Victory
At the October 9 Board Meeting, the Yuba College Advanced Manufacturing Team was formally recognized with a Resolution celebrating their outstanding achievement in earning first place nationally in the Project MFG competition. This remarkable accomplishment highlights the team’s innovation, technical excellence, and commitment to advancing modern manufacturing education at Yuba College. You can view the full resolution linked here.
Chancellor Pan’s Monthly Virtual “Open Door” Sessions
Chancellor Pan offers monthly virtual Chancellor’s Open-Door sessions. As a reminder, these informal gatherings provide faculty, staff, and students across the Yuba Community College District an opportunity to engage directly with the Chancellor. 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 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
Tuesday, November 11: Veterans Day
Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28: Thanksgiving Holiday Closure
Sunday, November 2 – Daylight Savings Time
Next Regular Board Meeting
The Board of Trustees will meet for their regular meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Yuba College. The agenda will be released 72-hours prior to the meeting here.
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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.