Your Contribution Will Make A Difference

Academic Senate Foundation October Newsletter Is Here!

The Foundation held its annual in-person orientation and first meeting on August 28, 2025, at the ASCCC offices in Sacramento. During the orientation, we elected a secretary and treasurer; reviewed our mission, vision, and bylaws; explored resource development opportunities; set a foundation-wide goal; discussed the budget; clarified our role and relationship with ASCCC; considered potential plenary activities; reviewed scholarship timelines; and finalized our monthly meeting schedule. We look forward to a year full of opportunities to continue supporting and providing resources for faculty.

Key Highlights from the Foundation Meeting

• Foundation Fundraising Goal
  We set an ambitious goal of raising $60,000 to support this year’s scholarships. Building on the success of last year’s year-long area competition, we will continue this engaging activity to encourage participation and contributions from all areas!
• Foundation Orientation Activity
  We build, we imagine, we endure…The incoming president opened the first meeting with symbolic gifts to set the tone for the year. Each director received a small brick-building toy, a whimsical pen, and a polished rock. Together, these items represent creativity, collaboration, and the enduring strength we bring to the mission.
• Updates to the ASFCCC Innovation Scholarship
  Directors are considering revisions to this scholarship to place a stronger emphasis on IDEAA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility).
• Scholarship Timelines
  The Foundation will provide scholarship opportunities for the following professional development events:
  • NANDI – October 9–10, 2025
  • Fall Plenary – November 6–8, 2025
  • COLEGAS – November 12–14, 2025
  • A2Mend – March 4–6, 2026
  • Spring Plenary – April 9–11, 2026
  • APAHE – April 12–14, 2026

Information will be shared as each event approaches and posted on our Foundation website.

Your support powers opportunity,
Christopher J. Howerton
President, Academic Senate Foundation for California Community Colleges

Meet the 2025-26 Academic Senate Foundation Directors

                  The Area Competition is Now Year-Round!

Our annual Area Competition is a year long event, giving you and your Area even more time to rally your colleagues and show your support. It's all about building momentum and making every donation count!

The competition kicks off this month and will run through the 2026 Spring Plenary Session!

Help Us Reach Our $60,000 Fundraising Goal!

This year, the Academic Senate Foundation directors have set a goal of raising $60,000 and we need your support to make it happen! Last year, your generosity allowed us to fund scholarships for community college faculty to attend ASCCC events, partner organization conferences, and even pursue individual research initiatives. Your donations directly fuel the professional growth of faculty across California, driving progress in inclusion, diversity, equity, anti-racism, and accessibility (IDEAA), while furthering the ASCCC mission.

Throughout the year, donations from various events will count toward your Area’s total, so be sure to use your Area’s donation link ​below to ensure your contribution counts!

​Make an impact. The Area that raises the most will be crowned the champions at the 2026 Spring Plenary Session!

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

• A shiny, one-of-a-kind trophy
• A celebratory snack party during your Area meeting at the 2025 Fall Plenary Session
• Bragging rights that will last the entire year!

Now’s the time to rally your Area and your college! Together, let’s achieve this incredible goal and continue empowering faculty across the state. Every dollar counts, and every donation makes an impact!

Become a Donor Ambassador and share the fundraising link with faculty from your Area—every donation counts, no matter where they are!

Find your Area’s live donation links on the Academic Senate Foundation webpage. Together, we can reach our goal and continue empowering faculty statewide!

What is the Purpose of the Fundraiser?

Your donations assist with providing scholarships for faculty to attend professional learning events, both ASCCC events as well as events by system partners, and support the broad engagement of the Academic Senate on issues facing our colleges and students.                       

It's Never Too Early to Start Giving! 

How Can You Support Our Campaign?

• Give Today!
  No amount is too small or too large. Visit our website at asfccc.com to donate or set up a recurring gift.
   
• Be Our Ambassador! 
  Share our efforts on social media, forward this email to colleagues, and help us reach more supporters through your networks.
   
• Participate in Foundation Events!
  Attend our events and encourage others to join.
   
• Share Your Story! 
  If you’ve received an ASFCCC scholarship, we’d love to hear how it impacted you. Submit your testimonial to this email foundation@asccc.org, which we may feature on our website and promotional materials. In your submission, please include your name, faculty position, and college, as well as the name of the event or conference you attended with the scholarship award. Additionally, provide a brief summary of your experience at the conference, highlighting key insights you gained and the impact the scholarship has had on your professional development.

We'd love to hear from you if you have any creative ideas to help us reach our goal! Share your suggestions with any of our Foundation Directors!

Join Us at the Fall Plenary Session!

The 2025 Fall Plenary Session theme is "Theme: Resilience in Action: Upholding Our Humanity and Mission Amid a Shifting Landscape." We hope that all local faculty leaders will plan to join us in San Diego on November 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla.

                                      Foundation Connect Fest!

Join us during the 2025 Fall Plenary Session on Thursday, November 6, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an energizing session of interactive activities designed to spark conversation, build community, and strengthen connections. Sponsored by the Foundation, this is your chance to meet new colleagues, share some laughter, celebrate the spirit of collaboration at plenary, and just have some fun. Light snacks and Laughs will be plenty!

✨Support the Foundation while you play!

• Help your Area win the Area Competition by making a donation to your Area.

• Consider committing to a $10 + 1 monthly donation to make an even greater impact.

Your participation supports the Foundation’s ongoing work and ensures the success of future faculty initiatives. We look forward to seeing you there!

The "10+1" refers to the areas of purview granted to the Academic Senate in California Community Colleges. These areas of purview are defined by the California Education Code and provide the Academic Senate with a significant role in academic and professional matters.