Whatcom Community College Update

by Communication Coordinator on December 4, 2020

Submitted by Linda Compton, Whatcom Community College Contact

Whatcom Community College

Greetings from WCC! I hope everyone is healthy and managing as well as possible during this pandemic. It certainly has changed the way we work and live! I would like to share some of the ways we are staying connected while working toward the common goal of creating a place of learning where everyone feels welcome. I’ve mentioned The Equity Project before, and this year’s theme is “Anti-Racism: Our Call to Action” You’ve heard of TED Talk, now The Equity Project Team offers

TEP Talk! Dreaming Big with Dr. X the most recent episode of “TEP Talk,” The Equity Project podcast. In this episode we heard from several members of our campus community and then settled in for a conversation with Dr. Xyan Neider about her work (and ours) toward equity and antiracism. I introduced Xyan Neider previously as WCC’s first Director for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Neider began her college education at Skagit Valley College and is happy to return close to home!

Cynthia Hoskins and Marisa Ellis with the help of Sarah Jenkins have created a radio show (via Compass, our staff intranet) which airs every Wednesday from 8:30 to 9am.

What’s up Whatcom – A Compass Morning Show By Marisa Ellis-September 23, 2020

This “radio show” is intended to provide opportunities for employees to engage with others, similar to how we were able to engage during All College Day. We will share campus news and virtual events, where you can find information online, highlight the What’s up Whatcom section on Compass and features that help us stay connected, and invite guests to join the show to share their expertise and College initiatives.

WCC’s College Equity Officer, Terri Thayer reminded us that November is Native American Heritage Month! It is a time of celebration and remembrance. It is a celebration of culture with language, dance, music, food and traditions. It is a celebration of the resistance and existence of Native people’s today. It also a remembrance of history, ancestors, challenges and loss. Native American Heritage Month is a time of healing and understanding. It is a time of reclaiming. These are just a few of the subject links Terri shared with our staff. Thanks, Terri!Native American Heritage Month Stand with Standing Rock Native Lands Rock Your Mocs

Co-leads of Jewish Employees and Friends at Whatcom, Todd Waters and Darcie Doneganare hosting Hanukkah Meaning and Rituals. This is a zoom event for staff to share and learn about one of the most well-known Jewish holidays, Hanukkah. This year, Hanukkah begins on Thursday, December 10, and ends on Friday, December 18. We will listen to a recording about Hanukkah, learn about the menorah’s symbolism and significance (and see some live ones!), and more.

WAP Weekly

The Intercultural Center welcomes the campus of Whatcom Community College to join the IC’s new weekly event opening a fluid and respectful in-depth conversation about politics ranging from voting to climate change. The event, Workshop About Politics (WAP), is hosted by student/peer navigators from the Intercultural Center every Friday at 2:00pm – 3:00pm. Our goal as active members on campus is to make Whatcom Community College put the power and definition back into democracy by educating our peers and leaders.

This week we’ll go over with WCC PoliSci professors:

2020 Election debrief
What we can expect from the Election results
What’s next?
Q and A

So many new Acronyms! Thanks for reading this far! The final thing I would like to add is that the Library has moved into our new building the Phyllis and Charles Self Learning Commons. Despite COVID-19, the project was completed on schedule and we are more than thrilled with our new space! Our students are going to love it, and we truly look forward to the day college life and learning can resume on campus.