From the President
A Message to Our Campus Community: You Are Not Alone
March 2, 2026
Dear De Anza College Community,
As we enter this last month of the winter 2026 quarter, I wanted to reach out to all
of you, see how you are doing and assist if any support is needed.
Like many of you, I spent much of this weekend watching events unfold with a heavy
heart. The news from abroad, layered on top of so much that is already uncertain in
our world, has left many of us searching for words, or simply sitting with feelings
too complex to name. Whether you are worried about loved ones near or far, processing
what you've seen in the news or quietly carrying the weight of it all, please know
this: your feelings are valid, and you are not alone.
Our institution has always been more than a place of learning. It is a community built
on the foundational belief that every person who walks through our doors deserves
to be seen, respected and supported. That belief does not waver in difficult times.
If anything, it deepens.
To our faculty, staff, and administrators: I see the care and dedication you bring
to our amazing students and this community every single day, often while managing
challenges of your own. While we strive to bring our best selves to our students each
day, please also take care of yourselves. Please lean on one another. And please make
use of the support resources available to you across our college and district such
as:
-
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services are available to all employees and their households. Contact our HR office for information.
-
Campus Wellness Resources: Our Counseling and Psychological Services team is here to support your mental and emotional well-being.
If you require flexibility, accommodations or simply someone to talk to, please do
not hesitate to reach out. Please know that we are here to support you, so please
don't hesitate to reach out.
I also want to reaffirm something that is central to who we are as an institution:
De Anza College is a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for every member of our community,
regardless of background, identity, immigration status, faith or belief. We remain
committed to that promise, now and always. Our vision, mission and values are not
aspirational words on a page. They are the living commitments we make to one another
every day. In times of uncertainty, they are our anchor.
Please be gentle with yourselves, our students and with each other. Reach out if you
need support. And know that I am deeply grateful for every one of you.
With care and solidarity,
Omar