Miki Mikolajczak, Transfer Center Coordinator, and President Burnett at Transfer Day
Photo by Jorge Guerrero

The fall semester is in full swing and the month of October in particular promises to be a highlight of the entire academic year as the ACCJC accreditation team makes its visit to our campus during the week of October 18-21.  From numerous college-wide workshops on accreditation to the extensive work on the completion of our self-study, we are well positioned for the team visit and I am fully confident that Saddleback College's accreditation will be reaffirmed with flying colors.  The team will be led by Dr. Joan Smith, Interim Chancellor of the Yosemite Community College District, who has already visited our college in preparation of the team visit. 

All of us on campus should be prepared for the accreditation visit. Please visit our accreditation website at www.saddleback.edu/accreditation and read the information provided below to familiarize yourself with the process and your role.  Information on the visiting team members will be sent out campus-wide this week.

In the midst of preparation for our accreditation team visit, we have seen some changes here at Saddleback College.  With the recent reorganization of ATEP, we are pleased to welcome back Rocky Cifone as Dean of Business Science and Economic and Workforce Development. Rocky worked with us for eight years in our Divisions of Fine Arts and Athletics before serving a year at ATEP as the Dean of Instruction and Student Services. We also welcome Jacqui Franks, who will be coming to us from ATEP as a Senior Administrative Assistant to oversee the college's master calendar.  We look forward to working with both Rocky and Jacqui!

This month we also began work on the college's five-year education and facilities master plan.  Many of you have already met with gkkworks, who are the consultants heading up work on the plan. The process is a comprehensive one to ensure that all on campus have the ability to offer their input in the plan.  Keep an eye out for a survey from gkkworks that will provide all of us with the opportunity to provide our feedback on our program and facilities needs.

Indeed, there is much to keep us busy this semester.  And we are fortunate to have many opportunities on our campus to enjoy the arts, athletics, and cultural activities, such as the Anthropology Speaker Series and the International Film Festival.  I know these events take considerable time to coordinate in addition to our day-to-day work and I thank those who go above and beyond to provide these unique opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, and community.

To celebrate our college and alumni, I hope to see you all at our Homecoming football game on Saturday, October 16th, as we take on the Grossmont College Griffins.  Go Gauchos!

Sincerely,
Tod A. Burnett, Ed.D.
President