2025 Welcome Back Activities
District and College Opening Days, Welcome Day
District Opening Day activities will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17 on the Foothill campus. (See schedule of activities)
College Opening Day will be on Thursday, Sept. 18. Activities will include an opening program, followed by President Torres' presentation and a keynote speech from Trudi Radtke, instructional technologist/designer at Moorpark College. (See schedule of activities)
Welcome Day on Friday, Sept. 19, is an opportunity to welcome new and returning students and introduce them to their Villages. After the morning activities for students, there will be lunch for employees, followed by a professional development opportunity for classified staff members, and department or division meetings for faculty members and administrators. (See schedule of activities)
Schedule of Activities
College Opening Day: Thursday, Sept. 18
(8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with optional breakfast)
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
| 7:30-8:15 a.m. | Breakfast | VPAC Patio |
| 8:30-10:15 a.m. |
Opening Program
|
VPAC Theater |
| 10:15-11:45 a.m. |
Presentation by President Torres
|
VPAC Theater |
| Noon-1 p.m. | Lunch | Campus Center Patio |
| 1-2:30 p.m |
Keynote by Trudi Radtke, Instructional Technologist/Designer, Moorpark College
|
VPAC Theater |
Welcome Day: Friday, Sept. 19
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
| 10 a.m.-Noon | Welcome Day for Students | Main Quad, Villiage Centers |
| Noon-1 p.m. | Employee Lunch | Campus Center Patio |
| 1:15-4 p.m. |
Professional Development for classified professionals – see detailed schedule below |
Media & Learning Center: MLC 113, MLC 255, MLC 260 |
|
Department and Division Meetings |
Various locations |
Keynote Speaker
Trudi Radtke (they/them) is the instructional technologist/designer at Moorpark College. Over the last five years, they have worked at and provided counsel for a variety
of community colleges in California.
As an Open Educational Resources (OER) specialist and consultant, they have worked to create and revise over 100 OER textbooks for the California community college system and beyond.
Radtke has a bachelor's degree in American History and Religion from The Master’s University and a master's degree in American History from California State University, Northridge.
Classified Professional Development: Friday, Sept. 19
Choose your workshop! Each workshop will be offered at 3 times: You can choose which workshop to attend at the first time, then attend a different workshop at the other times.
Workshop Times
- 1:15 to 2 p.m. – Choose Workshop A, B or C
- 2:15 to 3 p.m. – Choose Workshop A, B or C
- 3:15 to 4 p.m. – Choose Workshop A, B or C
Workshop Descriptions
Workshop A: Engage with De Anza’s Strategic Plan, 2027–2030
- Location: MLC 260
- Presenters: Mallory Newell, Institutional Research; Stacey Carrasco, Office of Outreach
- Participants will engage with the draft Strategic Plan, review collegewide objectives and goals, and take part in action planning to develop goals within their own work areas. This workshop provides a valuable opportunity to give feedback on the draft Strategic Plan and begin the goal-setting process ahead of the Comprehensive Program Review.
Workshop B: Working With AI – From Tool to Teammate
- Location: MLC 255
- Presenters: Mary K. Clark-Tillman, Academic Services; Gracy Galvan, Community Education
- Step into the world of Artificial Intelligence and see how everyday tools can become powerful creative partners. This session will help you move from curiosity to confidence as you learn to use AI to work smarter, think bigger, and create with ease.
Workshop C: Rewiring the Brain for Success – Creating Your Vision Board
- Location: MLC 113
- Presenters: Martha Espinosa Prados, Office of Outreach; Christina (Hua-Ching) Cho, Child Development Center
- Ready to take control of your future? This hands-on workshop will guide you through creating a vision board that reflects your goals, dreams, and values. You'll engage in thoughtful reflection and creative design to build a visual roadmap that inspires action and keeps you focused.
