June 9, 2026

RAPP Meeting Minutes 

Hybrid Mtg. 10 a.m.-11:20 a.m. 

Tuesday June 9, 2026 

Summary
The meeting began with a review of charges and norms and a review of meeting minutes, the latter of which was approved. The meeting also focused on reviewing the annual governance assessment survey for RAPP followed by a discussion of the newly named Program Vitality and Innovation Committee (PVIC). The group extensively discussed strategies for improving information dissemination to stakeholders, with participants suggesting regular newsletters, emails, and presenting highlights at the College Day Opening. They identified challenges including the volume of work, inconsistent program review processes, and low morale that affects member participation. The committee also addressed the transition to basic aid funding and discussed how RAPP could help provide more transparency around resource allocation and goal-setting. Ram presented updates on the Program Vitality and Innovation Committee, including a new name and document revisions based on Academic Senate feedback, though the final vote on adopting the committee was postponed to the following week.

Next steps
Felisa -Bring the updated PVIC document to the FA for final feedback before the next RAPP meeting.
Michelle Hernandez - Work with Elizabeth to create a document/template for "hot topic" announcements or newsletters to improve communication and engagement with the college community.
Tri-chairs (Veronica, Lisa, Ram) - Develop a more structured onboarding process for new RAPP members, including pairing students with faculty/staff/administrator mentors and ensuring clear communication of key terms, expectations, and RAPP's role.
RAPP members - Disseminate key meeting takeaways (e.g., 4-5 bullet points) to their respective constituents after each meeting, and consider sharing via email, newsletter, or at group meetings.
Tri-chairs-  Overhaul the program review process to ensure greater clarity, collaboration, and consistency in program reviews, including clear expectations for data inclusion and departmental collaboration.
Tri-chairs - Incorporate review of student services and academic support programs into the Program Vitality and Innovation Committee's charge, as suggested by Michelle Hernandez.
RAPP members - Provide any final feedback or suggested changes to the Program Vitality and Innovation Committee (PVIC) document before the next meeting for voting consideration.
Tri-chairs- Update the PVIC document to reflect the inclusion of student services, academic support, and other non-academic programs, and to incorporate feedback from the group.
Tri-chairs- Consider the use of AI tools to help summarize meeting notes and generate newsletter content to streamline communication.
Tri-chairs-  Plan to present RAPP/PVIC updates and highlights at college-wide events (e.g., Opening Day) to increase transparency and engagement with the broader college community.
Tri-chairs-  Prepare responses to the annual governance assessment questions and circulate to the larger group for review.

Annual Governance Assessment Review
The main discussion focused on reviewing the annual governance assessment, specifically addressing question number three about disseminating information to stakeholders. The faculty tri-chair encouraged participants to share their thoughts on strengths and weaknesses in information dissemination processes.

Stakeholder Communication Strategies Discussion
The group discussed ways to better communicate meeting outcomes and information to stakeholders. Glynn suggested creating a newsletter or sending mass emails with key takeaways, while Ram proposed sharing bullet points about major discussions. Michelle raised concerns about website engagement and the need for better justification of process changes. Agustin suggested sending updates via email with references to the website for those interested in learning more.

RAPP Communication Strategy Improvement
The group discussed strategies to improve communication about RAPP representatives and their activities across campus. Michelle suggested creating signature announcements to draw attention to the RAPP website and make RAPP more engaging. A suggestion was proposed to create quarterly reports from representatives to keep governance committees informed, similar to how Academic Senate operates. Michelle Hernandez was encouraged to work with Elizabeth in Communications on creating a document to support these communication efforts.

RAPP Program Review Presentation Planning
The group discussed presenting highlights of the RAPP's comprehensive program review process at the college opening day to inform both full-time and part-time audiences. Glynn emphasized the importance of transparent communication to build morale and attract new members with fresh ideas. The team agreed to use this opportunity to launch a platform for sharing information with constituents and stakeholders, while Michelle highlighted the importance of showcasing RAPP membership to provide clear points of contact for ideas and feedback.

RAPP Program Challenges Discussion
The group discussed challenges faced by RAPP this year, including the volume of work, scheduling difficulties, and inconsistencies in the program review process. Michelle highlighted issues with program review completion and suggested more structured training and clearer expectations. Glynn raised concerns about low morale and member engagement, suggesting the need to make RAPP more appealing and improve communication. The tri-chairs committed to working on overhauling the program review process and addressing these challenges.

AI Integration and Committee Name
The group discussed using AI technology to streamline communication and information sharing with constituents, particularly for creating newsletters and summaries of key ideas. They explored how to align RAPP's goals with the college's mission and values, especially in light of the transition to basic aid funding. The committee also reviewed and approved a new name for the Program Sustainability Committee, settling on "Program Vitality and Innovation Committee" after considering various options including "Program Advancement and Innovation Committee." The final document will be refined based on feedback before a formal vote is taken next week.

(Notes taken by A.I. and proofread/edited by tri-chairs)

 
 

Attendees: Ram Subramaniam, Veronica Acevedo Avila, Michele LeBleu Burns, Sam Bliss, Agustin Espino Diaz, Erick Aragon, Michelle Hernandez, Jamie Pelusi, Cecilia Hui, Christina Wright, Glynn Wallis, Zander Blackman, Ashwika (student/last name not provided), Aisyah Faisal, Kaitlynn (last name not provided), Jasmine (student/last name not provided), Eric Mendoza, Felisa Vilaubi

Absent: Garrett King, Blen Ashebr, James Nguyen, Salvador Pedroza, Patricia Del Rio, Jayme Brown, Lisa Ly

RAPP Voting Members: Ram Subramaniam, Lisa Ly, Veronica Acevedo Avila, Farhad Sabit, Michele LeBleu Burns, Sam Bliss, Garrett King, Agustin Espino Diaz, Jayme Brown, Patricia Del Rio, Erick Aragon, Eric Mendoza, Michelle Hernandez, Jamie Pelusi, Felisa Vilaubi, Cecilia Hui, Christina Wright, Glynn Wallis, Aisyah Faisal, Blen Ashebr, James Nguyen, Salvador Pedroza, Zander Blackman.

Non-voting Advisory: Martin Varela, Randy Bryant, Shagun Kaur (for Erik Woodbury)