President

Michelle Pilati

Rio Hondo College

Vice President

Beth Smith

Grossmont College

Secretary

David Morse

Long Beach City College

Treasurer

Wheeler North

San Diego Miramar College

Area A Representative

Julie Bruno

Sierra College

Area B Representative

Jon Drinnon

Merritt College

Area C Representative

Lesley Kawaguchi

Santa Monica College

Area D Representative

Stephanie Dumont

Golden West College

North Representative

Dan Crump

American River College

North Representative

Dolores Davison

Foothill College

South Representative

Kevin Bontenbal

Cuesta College

South Representative

Michelle Grimes-Hillman

Mt. San Antonio College

Representative at Large

Dianna Chiabotti

Napa Valley College

Representative at Large

Phil Smith

American River College

Julie Adams, CAE

Executive Director

Subject: Exemplary Program Award

Dear Local Senate President:

The Academic Senate is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the Exemplary Program Award. The Board of Governors will present the 2011-2012 Exemplary Program Award to as many as six programs from across the state at its January 2012 meeting. The Board of Governors established the Exemplary Program Award in 1991 to recognize outstanding community college programs. The Foundation for California Community Colleges will again fund the Exemplary Program Award. As many as two California community college programs will receive cash awards of $4,000 and up to four programs will receive honorable mention plaques. This award offers an excellent opportunity for your college to showcase exceptional programs.

In order to enlarge and enliven the pool of recipients, the Academic Senate selects annual themes in keeping with the award’s traditions. The theme for 2011-2012 is Student Success: Programs Engaging First-year Students.The focus of the award will be on those programs that engage and serve incoming first year students to provide them with services and/or instruction tailored to identify their needs and prepare them in ways that increase student retention and persistence. Innovation, integration and adaptation based upon sound research are the keystones to successful applications.

Completed applications must be received in the Academic Senate Office by 5:00 p.m. on November 10, 2011. The selection committee will complete the review process by early December. Please submit one original and one (1) copy of your nominated program. Scanned applications submitted by email (see below) with the appropriate signatures will be accepted. However, please call the Senate Office to verify receipt of the application.

Exemplary Program Award recipients will be selected from throughout the state, with no more than two from any one Academic Senate area, and notified when the selection process is completed. Winners will be honored at the January 10, 2012 Board of Governors' meeting.

Please contact the Academic Senate Office with any questions.

Sincerely,

Michelle Pilati
President

Enclosures (2)

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