Reports to the Board of Trustees

Each month, President Torres gives a report on college activities, honors and achievements during the regular meeting of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees.

For previous reports, please see the board reports archive.

board reports archive

Board Meeting of April 6, 2026

This month's report includes items on:

News Flash: Journalism Students Earn National and State Honors at College Media Competitions

Our student journalists earned 46 honors in March national and state journalism competitions, winning awards for reporting, photography, design, multimedia storytelling and social media journalism.

Students from La Voz News received recognition from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP), the California College Media Association — which awarded them several first-place honors — and the Journalism Association of Community Colleges.

The awards were presented during the ACP Spring National College Media Conference in San Francisco, which drew more than 925 attendees from 27 states, including student journalists, faculty advisers and media professionals, for workshops, professional training and contests.

Big congratulations to our student journalists for these awards, which highlight their dedication, creativity and professionalism. 

See more information and the list of awards on the Journalism website.

A Stellar Day on Campus

Participants from Hope Services’ Employment, Media & Community Connections (EMCC) program in Mountain View enjoyed an exciting visit to the De Anza College Planetarium in March. Thanks to Hope Services’ partnership with the college, the group received a student discount and experienced a full campus outing that included lunch in the campus cafeteria.

For many participants, it was their first planetarium show and their first time on a college campus. The visit offered a meaningful opportunity to explore campus life while building confidence and community connections.

Participants returned energized, with some already planning their next visit. We look forward to seeing them again soon!

De Anza Among Top Ranked

Community College Review, which provides data analysis of community colleges nationwide, recently presented De Anza as a “Top‑Ranked Community College for 2026.” 

The site noted that De Anza is among the top 20% of public schools in California for largest student body, highest completion rates and least debt for graduates.

Shagun Kaur Receives Hayward Award

Congratulations to Shagun Kaur, who was recognized by the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (ASCCC) as a recipient of the 2025-2026 Hayward Award at the California Community Colleges Board of Governors meeting on March 24 in Sacramento.  

Kaur is a communications studies professor and vice president of the Academic Senate, while also serving as our Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) grants coordinator.

Sponsored annually by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the prestigious Hayward Award celebrates outstanding faculty who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their students, college and profession.  

The ASCCC’s press release stated: 

Shagun Kaur is a dedicated educator and leader who has advanced equity, access and student success at De Anza College and throughout California’s community colleges. She has led efforts in Zero Textbook Cost and Open Educational Resources, secured major grant funding, developed degree pathways and reduced student financial barriers. She also leads faculty training in accessibility, inclusive teaching and online education.

Beyond teaching, Shagun has shown strong leadership in shared governance and faculty support, serving as vice president of the Academic Senate and mentoring new faculty. Her statewide impact includes leading collaborative ASCCC OER projects and supporting faculty across colleges, making a lasting difference for students, educators and the system.

This year’s other Hayward Award recipient is Sheila Smith, a child development and family studies faculty member at Solano Community College.

We applaud both Shagun and Sheila for their outstanding service to California community colleges and their continued dedication to student and faculty success.

Top: Kaur (center, in black) at the California Community Colleges Board of Governors meeting; above right: Kaur (center) with James Todd, vice chancellor, Academic Affairs (left) and LaTonya Parker-Parnell, president, Academic Senate for California Community Colleges (right). Photos by Erik Woodbury, Academic Senate president, De Anza professor of chemistry

Track Engagement

De Anza was abuzz with activity on Saturday, March 28, when we welcomed about 700 student-athletes from 40 high schools for the De Anza/Wilcox Invitational track meet. 

The event included varsity boys’ and girls’ track and field events such as distance, pole vault and throwing.

Not only did these talented athletes get an opportunity to compete, but they and their families also received a great introduction to De Anza College by spending the day on campus.

Our Office of Communications created signage for the event publicizing the college as well as our upcoming Spring Open House on May 9, inviting students and parents to join us and learn more about all we have to offer.

Above right: Roary the Mountain Lion basked in the sunshine while cheering on the high school athletes. Above left: An image of the Open House marketing posters that adorned some of the metal stanchions at the event.

Spring Celebrations

De Anza celebrated Nowruz on Thursday, March 19, on campus, in a community gathering honoring the shared spirit of spring and friendship. The event included cultural performances such as music, dance, poetry and art; traditional snacks and sweets; cultural displays; and activities from different countries.

Nowruz marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year for more than 300 million people all around the world. It promotes the values of peace and solidarity, as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, and has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and other regions.

Additionally, De Anza partnered with the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce to produce the 2026 Holi Cupertino Festival of Colors, which took place on Saturday, March 28, in Cupertino Memorial Park. 

Holi, a Hindu festival that’s also known as the "Festival of Colors" or "Festival of Love," celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil. Celebrated in March, participants throw colored powders and water, hold bonfires, dance and eat sweets in celebration of unity, joy and new beginnings.

A Taste of History Explores Belonging

The California History Center at De Anza held its 16th annual A Taste of History on Saturday, March 21, with a theme of “Movements Without Borders: Expanding the Story of Belonging.”

The event included food, wine, entertainment and fellowship as participants considered how a shared commitment to freedom, dignity and a belief in the value of every voice expands democracy and strengthens the community we all depend on.

The night also featured: 

  • A welcome from FHDA District Chancellor Lee Lambert
  • Historical framing of event themes by California History Center Foundation Board Member Ruben Abrica
  • Poetry readings by dynamic local poets Claudia Meléndez Salinas and Joseph LaCour
  • Entertainment by student drumming group Foothill Beats
  • Acknowledgements by Social Sciences and Humanities Dean Elvin Ramos
  • Savory and sweet catering from nearby businesses
  • Wines from local producers, including Silver Mountain Vineyards, Kings Mountain Vineyards, House Family Winery, Farm Day Family Winery and Cooper Garrod Vineyards

Presented in partnership with the Foothill-De Anza Foundation, proceeds from the event support De Anza student multimedia and archival projects that preserve and share our local history.

From top to bottom: Claudia Meléndez Salinas, Joseph LaCour and Foothill Beats

‘The Beach’ to Have Its Day in the Sun

While our new state-of-the-art beach volleyball complex — aka, The Beach — has been hosting matches since February, it had yet to be officially inaugurated.

That changes on April 29, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration. Stay tuned for details!

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