Flex Week Spring 2026

MON, JAN 5
1 pm – 2 pm

Teams

Meeting ID: 296 140 276 634 08
Passcode: 33Jq2Z9Z

Health Guide for Men

Men have unique health needs. Learn what they are and how to lower your risk for common men’s health problems. We’ll also cover preventive care, doctor visits, and which screenings you need to stay on top of.

Session Outcomes

• Identify leading causes of death and major health risks for men.
• Explore barriers that prevent men from seeking health care.
• Learn strategies for stress management and disease prevention.
• Recognize actionable steps to achieve better overall health.

MON, JAN 5
2 pm – 3 pm

Teams

Meeting ID: 257 856 122 748 30
Passcode:i4qu6pq3 

Health Guide for Women

Women tend to put their family’s needs first or ignore the issues they find embarrassing. In this seminar, we’ll talk about the importance of well-woman exams, which screenings not to miss, and how to prevent certain health conditions.

Session Outcomes

• Understand the leading causes of death in women.
• Learn to recognize symptoms and risk factors for heart attacks and strokes.
• Identify steps for a healthier lifestyle, such as diet, exercise, and stress management.
• Gain insights into cancer prevention and common myths.
• Explore osteoporosis prevention and menopause management, including screenings and behaviors to avoid.

TUE, JAN 6
10 am – 12 pm

Teams

Meeting ID: 228 139 292 331 6
Passcode: YQ6xT2an

My Retirement Decisions

Prepare for the retirement you want by getting the information you need. Learn how to calculate your retirement benefit and how to choose your retirement date. Also discover more about beneficiary options, service retirement forms, your Defined Benefit Supplement account and working after retirement parameters. This webinar is suited for those 1-5 years from retirement.

Session Outcomes

• Understand CalSTRS basics, retirement formula, and your pension estimate.
• Choose a retirement date that fits your goals and income needs.
• Explore benefit options for protecting a spouse or beneficiary.
• Learn how additional savings (DBS, Pension2) and taxes affect your payout.
• Know how to apply for retirement and what happens if you work after retiring.

TUE, JAN 6
1 pm – 2 pm

Teams

Meeting ID: 235 502 550 378 22
Passcode: D5vf9vn7

Medicare 101

This session is designed to provide an overview of Medicare fundamentals, empowering members to ask informed questions and make confident decisions as they prepare for retirement. We’ll explore key considerations for future planning and guide members in evaluating plan options available through SISC.

Session Outcomes

• Gain a clear understanding of Medicare basics.
• Explore retirement plan options.
• Access resources for healthy aging and wellness benefits at retirement.

Cristina De Guzman (SISC Account Manager, phone: (661) 636-4740)

Diego Realpe (Kaiser Retiree Solutions Manager)

WED, JAN 7
10 am – 11 am

Teams

Meeting ID: 240 498 278 718 71
Passcode: 5xV3B85y

Delta Dental 101

Take the guesswork out of managing your dental benefits. This interactive session will guide participants step-by-step through registering and creating a secure login on the Delta Dental website. You’ll see a live demonstration on how to search for Delta Dental PPO providers accepting new patients, as well as how to apply specific search criteria to find the right provider for your needs. 

Beyond the basics, the session will highlight valuable plan enhancements, added programs, and resources designed to maximize your coverage. Participants will also gain a clear understanding of the cost advantages of choosing in-network providers compared to out-of-network options.

Session Outcomes

• Learn how to register and create a login on the Delta Dental Website.
• Learn how to find a Delta Dental Provider in your area.
• Insights to plan enhancements, value added programs, and resources available.
• A clear Illustration of in-network savings (PPO/Premier) vs. Out-Of-Network.

THU, JAN 8
10:30 am – 11:30 pm

1. Go to my.calpers.ca.gov and log into your myCalPERS account.
2. Select Classes from the Education dropdown menu options.
3. “Instructor-Led” should be automatically displayed next to the “Sort By” field.
4. This class should automatically show up on your screen.
5. Find the class “Sponsored by College of Marin”.
6. Follow the screen instructions to finish your online registration.
7. If you have any questions, please call our CalPERS Member Contact Center (888) 225–7377.

CalPERS - Benefit Basics

Registration is required by Midnight on 01/07/26. 

This class provides a general overview of your CalPERS benefits and the choices you have to maximize your retirement security.

Session Outcomes

• Understand what CalPERS is and how the pension is funded.
• Know the main types of CalPERS retirement and basic eligibility.
• Understand how a CalPERS pension is calculated and ways to increase service credit.
• Recognize key retirement choices, survivor protections, and powers of attorney.
• Know options if leaving CalPERS employment and where to get more help.

THU, JAN 8
1 pm – 3 pm

1. Go to my.calpers.ca.gov and log into your myCalPERS account.
2. Select Classes from the Education dropdown menu options.
3. “Instructor-Led” should be automatically displayed next to the “Sort By” field.
4. This class should automatically show up on your screen.
5. Find the class “Sponsored by College of Marin”.
6. Follow the screen instructions to finish your online registration.
7. If you have any questions, please call our CalPERS Member Contact Center (888) 225–7377.

CalPERS - Planning Your Retirement - For members within 10 years of retirement

Registration is required by Midnight on 01/07/26. 

This class provides a general overview of your CalPERS benefits and the choices you have to maximize your retirement security.

Session Outcomes

• Understand your main retirement income sources.
• Know CalPERS retirement types and eligibility.
• Estimate your CalPERS pension and ways to increase it.
• Learn about survivor benefits, payment options, and protections.
• Know the key steps, timelines, and benefits when you retire.

THU, JAN 8
2 pm – 3 pm

Zoom

Clarifying the New Student Experience

The new student experience starts well before the first day of class. In this session, the Welcome Center will present an overview of what steps students must take to enroll. You will learn what challenges students may face, how to navigate them, and the resources available to help.

Session Outcomes

• Describe the application and enrollment steps for a new student at COM.
• Identify challenges a student may face in getting started as a new COM student.
• Direct a potential student to the COM application web page to get started.
• Connect students who need assistance to the Welcome Center.

Sally Wong 

Patrick Garretson

THU, JAN 8
3 pm – 4:30 pm

Teams

Meeting ID: 211 849 785 617 73
Passcode: 74M4AV7S

CalSTRS - I Will Retire This Year

Congratulations on reaching this exciting milestone! This webinar is designed for those planning to retire within the next year and provides essential information to ensure a smooth transition into retirement. 

Topics covered will include: How your defined benefit pension is calculated; your distribution choices for your Defined Benefit Supplement account; the service retirement application process and required paperwork; important post-retirement considerations and available online resources, including how to use tools in your myCalSTRS account.

Session Outcomes

• Use myCalSTRS to review your benefit.
• Understand how your CalSTRS pension is calculated.
• Learn your payment and income options in retirement.
• Follow the key steps and timelines to retire.
• Know what happens after you retire and where to get help.

FRI, JAN 9
10 am – 11 am

Teams

Meeting ID: 286 521 472 166 45
Passcode: GA7Wk6GJ

Benefits 101

In this educational workshop, SISC will present an overview of the medical benefits & the added value services available to College of Marin employees. This is a great opportunity to get answers to all your benefit-related questions!

Session Outcomes

• A clear understanding of plan terms and benefits.
• Why staying in-network matters.
• An introduction to SISC’s added-value services.

FRI, JAN 9
1 pm – 2 pm

Teams

Meeting ID: 216 898 186 594 0
Passcode: RX6JT9RM

Sterling 101 – Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts

The session should be educational and can cover topics such as Healthcare FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and HSA accounts.

Session Outcomes

• ???

9:30 am — 10:50 am

AC 246

Welcome New Employees

Welcome to New Employee Orientation, a workshop designed for new hires and current employees looking for a refresh. This session will equip you with essential knowledge and insights to seamlessly integrate into the vibrant community college environment. This session will touch on topics like institutional structure, navigating campus culture, understanding different department roles, and resources for faculty and classified staff.

Session Outcomes

• Understand the basic structure of the California Community College System and College of Marin.
• Apply the College's mission and values to their own employee experience.
• Identify available resources to facilitate a smooth new hire transition.

9:30 am — 10:50 am

AC 114 & Zoom

Inclusive by Design: Creating Accessible Learning Materials

Using accessible design as a foundation, universal design for learning (UDL) can help us create materials and resources that are flexible and adaptable to engage a diverse group of learners. This session will demonstrate how to reduce access barriers, by designing course materials with accessibility in mind including HTML pages, PDF, Word, and PPT files, using alternative media, and existing open educational resources. We will also explore available tools at COM and through the CCC Accessibility Center to assist in identifying and troubleshooting accessibility issues.

Session Outcomes

• Examine alternatives to inaccessible document formats using universal design principles and tools.
• Identify available tools and resources to evaluate and remediate accessibility of websites, course content, and documents.
• Discuss how multi-modal open educational and accessible resources can increase engagement and provide multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery of the material.

Stacey Lince 

Ephantus Mogere

11 am — 12:20 pm

AC 246

COM CARE: Balancing Boundaries with Restorative Practices in the Classroom

During this presentation, you will learn about the resources and tools that COM CARE offers to support you with classroom management, maintaining healthy boundaries, and applying trauma-informed practices. You will also explore how to effectively use the COM CARE intervention system, review case studies on managing challenging classroom situations, and become familiar with campus resources available to support students with diverse experiences.

Session Outcomes

• Effectively use the COM Care intervention system.
• Utilize tools to manage challenging classroom situations through case studies.
• Identify expectations and resources to support students with various experiences, including trauma.

11 am — 12:20 pm

AC 114 & Zoom

Turnitin Updates and Clarity AI Pilot

Join this session to learn more about the new updates to Turntin in our Canvas Instance. Over the winter break, we upgraded our LTI 1.1 integration to 1.3. This upgrade has brought with it several changes to the way instructors will set up Turnitin in their assignments. The upgrade also allows instructors access to Turnitin Tools such as Clarity - an AI assistant that provides feedback instead of doing the work for students, and writing reports and playback that show the student's writing process and how they used AI. Join this session to learn more and how to participate in the Clarity pilot.

Session Outcomes

• Describe the key changes introduced by the Turnitin LTI 1.3 integration in Canvas.
• Demonstrate how to access and utilize new Turnitin tools.
• Apply the steps required to participate in the Clarity AI pilot program.

1 pm — 2:20 pm

AC 246

Use of Models for Interdisciplinary teaching in biology and physics

Interdisciplinary teaching: Physics in biology

Session Outcomes

• Appreciate the interconnectivity in sciences.
• Develop teaching experiences to teach interdisciplinary courses in physics and biology.
• Offer students opportunities to select interdisciplinary careers.
• Combine visual techniques for interdisciplinary teaching.

Fernando Agudelo-Silva 

George Rothbart

1 pm — 2:20 pm

AC 245 & Zoom

Supporting Undocumented Students at COM: Updates & Guidance

This presentation will provide participants with updates, tools, and resources to support undocumented students at COM. We will cover federal, state and local policies protecting undocumented students, resources available on and off-campus, and share actionable strategies for support.

Session Outcomes

• Learn about federal, state and local policies that protect undocumented students.
• Connect undocumented students to resources on and off campus.
• Apply actionable strategies to strengthen support for undocumented students.

2:30 pm — 3:50 pm

AC 240

Forming A Climate Change Solutions Community of Practice at COM

College of Marin is launching our first Climate Change Solutions Community of Practice! This Flex session will provide information, answer questions, and invite your participation in this exciting cross-disciplinary community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, and students, intended to break down traditional silos to share in disciplinary, evidence-based practices for climate education. 

Are you committed to including sustainability and climate change topics in your course, but not sure how to start? Looking for ideas, concepts, vocabulary - in the midst of a schedule already full of tasks and demands? Curious how to incorporate practical assignments and material in your teaching? This Flex session may meet you where you're at, and provide you an exciting, passionate working community to explore and discover methods and tools that work in your daily practice. 

The Community of Practice will provide six (6) 90-minute workshops, hosted by domain experts in topics including: 

• Climate Change Science
• Energy & Climate Change
• Climate Justice
• Climate Solutions
• Physical and Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change
• Climate Change in the Curriculum 

As we look forward to launching the CoP later this year, this informational session will collect interest and begin to take interested sign-ups, as seats are limited and we want to make sure you reserve your seat in the Community!

Session Outcomes

• Learn about the inaugural Climate Change Solutions.
• Community of Practice launching soon.
• Learn how to implement evidence-based Climate Change tools, assignments, and activities into your curriculum.
• Reserve your seat in the Community of Practice while they are still available.

2:30 pm — 3:50 pm

AC 255 & Zoom

Connecting the Dots: Strengthening Participatory Governance Through Collaboration and Self-Evaluation

Join the Governance Review Council (GRC) for an interactive workshop exploring how College of Marin’s participatory governance system works and how committees can strengthen communication, collaboration, and alignment across the institution.

Session Outcomes

• Review how the participatory governance structure functions and how committees connect with one another, College Council, and their constituent group.
• Walk through the committee self-evaluation process and learn how it supports reflection, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Examine how committees can use their charges to stay aligned with their purpose and responsibilities under the PGS Plan.
• Discuss the draft PGS evaluation survey and provide feedback on how it can best capture meaningful input.
• Look at the draft Strategic Plan (Plan 2030) to identify areas of potential alignment and feedback opportunities as it continues to develop.

Ryan Byrne 

Governance Review Council Members

9:30 am — 10:50 am

AC 114

Become a Pro with ProLearning

Come join us for an interactive session on how to maximize your use of Prolearning! Whether you're new to ProLearning or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will equip you with the tools to take your own professional learning to the next level. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to navigate the platform, and have the chance to begin a training during the session and continue at their own pace throughout the semester.

Session Outcomes

• Increase knowledge on how to fully optimize the use of ProLearning (e.g., search for applicable trainings, create a playlist, view and share transcript, and join communities).
• Search and begin trainings that are relevant to their role.
• Design personalized professional learning plan for the year through the playlist feature.

Alyssa Graff 

Brandon Christian

10 am — 12:20 pm

AC 255

Department Chairs & Coordinators’ Meeting

11 am — 12:20 pm

TBD

Red Cross CPR/AED

The Red Cross CPR/AED course provides participants with the essential knowledge and hands-on skills needed to recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies. Through instructor-led training and practical scenarios, you will learn how to perform high-quality CPR, use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and respond confidently in life-threatening situations for adults, children, and infants. This course emphasizes quick decision-making, effective teamwork, and proven techniques aligned with the latest Red Cross guidelines. Students will practice using manikins and training AEDs to simulate real-world emergencies, ensuring they feel prepared to act when every second counts.

Session Outcomes

• Learn valuable lifesaving skills in the event of a cardiac emergency.
• Red Cross CPR/AED certification awarded upon completion of the class.

1 pm — 12:20 pm

AC 240

Artificial Intelligence and Anti-racist practices in equitable, culturally responsive learning environments: Where and how do these topics intersect in early 2026?

This interactive and participatory session examines how Artificial Intelligence and Anti-racist practices can or cannot coexist in an equitable, culturally responsive learning environment. Participants will examine AI tools for learning, teaching, and student support and how those tools may disrupt or reinforce inequities and inequalities.

Session Outcomes

• Identify strategies for critically evaluating AI tools.
• Apply anti-racist frameworks to the use of AI tools.
• Make decisions around when to include and when to exclude AI tools.
• Describe how technological innovation aligns with equity and student success.

1 pm — 2:20 pm

Zoom

Common Course Numbering Explained: A Guide for Faculty, Administrators, & Staff

The Academic Year 2025-2026 is here! This means we are implementing three significant legislative changes (Common Course Numbering, Cal-GETC, and Title 5 changes to local General Education) that will have an impact on both our students' academic journeys as well as our local curriculum. In this session, I will provide clarification on these three legislative mandates and how they will impact students. The majority of the presentation will be an update on Common Course Numbering: what we have done, what we are doing now, and what is yet to come. Please come with questions, as I want to cater the presentation to the needs of COM's faculty, administrators and staff!

Session Outcomes

• Identify how a course may be impacted by Common Course Numbering.
• Understand how Common Course Numbering impacts students.
• Describe the process of adopting Common Course Numbers at College of Marin.
• Locate resources related to articulation, Cal-GETC, Common Course Numbering, and local GE changes.

2:30 pm — 3:50 pm

AC 114

Microsoft Teams, OneDrive & Shared Drive: Essential Skills Workshop

This interactive training session provides a practical, hands-on overview of how to effectively use Microsoft Teams, the Shared Drive, and OneDrive for daily work across the district. 

Participants will learn how to confidently navigate each platform, organize files for easy access, collaborate with colleagues, and follow best-practice workflows for storing, sharing, and maintaining department documents. Designed for staff who work with program files, faculty materials, accreditation documents, and student-related records, this session walks through real examples and common use cases to help streamline our digital workspace. 

Participants will learn how to: 

• Understand the purpose and differences between Teams, Shared Drive, and OneDrive, and when to use each Navigate Teams channels, post and find files, and manage conversations
• Use OneDrive for personal file storage, syncing, and secure sharing
• Access, organize, and structure Shared Drive files to support department workflows
• Upload, move, and share documents between platforms Apply consistent naming conventions and folder structures
• Collaborate in real time using shared documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Maintain version control and recover previous versions Follow best practices for storing sensitive information and work-in-progress materials 

Who Should Attend: 

Administrative staff, faculty, coordinators, and anyone who works with digital files, collaborates across departments, or supports program operations.

Session Outcomes

• Participants will leave with the confidence and skills to keep their digital workspace organized, collaborate more efficiently, and reduce duplicated files, misplaced documents, and email overload

2:30 pm — 3:50 pm

Zoom

Pronto – Meeting Students Where They Are

Whether you teach online or in person, join this session to meet students where they are using Pronto, a chat tool integrated right into Canvas. Pronto makes it easy to communicate with your students, allows students to communicate and collaborate with each other, builds community, and reflects best practices is regular substantive interactions (RSI) while creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable community for us all.

Session Outcomes

• Implement steps to begin using Pronto in your classes.
• Learn tips for presenting this tool to students.

Stacey Lince 

Sydney Dutson

9:30 am — 12:50 pm

AC 103

New Faculty Orientation

???

Session Outcomes

• ???

Cari Torres 

Steve Carrera

9:30 am — 10:50 am

FA 201

Look at African & African American Art Using Visual Thinking Strategies

Using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a facilitation technique developed for the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, participants will discuss what we see going on in at least two sub-Saharan masks and at least two paintings by African American artists. Rather than spend the usual six seconds of attention that the average piece of artwork gets in a museum, we will spend fifteen minutes looking at and discussing each piece, identifying what we see, and providing visual evidence for how we interpret the artworks. There are no “right” or “wrong” responses here; every point of view is valid. VTS is a powerful tool not only for looking at artwork, but for reading and interpreting texts, doing scientific observations and analysis, listening to and valuing diverse perspectives, and fostering critical thinking while building community. This semester, we will discuss artworks that we did not get to last semester, so if you attended that FLEX, we'd love to have you back for Part 2

Session Outcomes

• Support observations and interpretations of artworks using visual evidence.
• Appreciate diverse approaches, perspectives, and interpretations of visual artworks.
• Understand how multiple perspectives and interpretations to an object or event may be valid.
• Evaluate whether Visual Thinking Strategies may be applicable to contexts within one’s own discipline or course curriculum.

9:30 am — 10:50 am

AC 245 & Zoom

Instruction That Works for Everyone: Lessons in Universal Design for Learning

How can we design instruction and student services that support every learner from the start? This session introduces the core principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and demonstrates how faculty and staff can integrate UDL strategies into their classrooms, programs, and day-to-day student interactions. This session is appropriate for both people familiar with and new to UDL. This session will include a lecture, handouts, and interactive portions that encourage attendees to think critically about how to create a more inclusive and equitable college for all students.

Session Outcomes

• Identify common learning and access barriers faced by community college students and how UDL could help to address them.
• Describe the three core principles of Universal Design for Learning (engagement, representation, action & expression) and their relevance to the instruction and student services.
• Apply at least two UDL-aligned strategies to improve accessibility and inclusivity in their courses, programs, or student interactions.

11 am — 12:20 am

PA 32

A Century of Passage: Exploring Immigration Through Community-Based Theatre

In conjunction with the upcoming Centennial and the COMmon Read selection, SOLITO by Javier Zamora (the memoir of a 9-year-old’s migration from El Salvador to Marin), stage director, Erin McBride Africa, and the Drama Program students will be developing a "community-based theatre" original play. We will be gathering immigration stories from our community, building community partnerships, and looking at our nation's changing attitudes and policies surrounding migration over the past 100 years, landing on where we are right now. Come learn more about the project and see how you and your students can be involved. 

This session will be part lecture about how to develop an original play using "community-based theatre" techniques. This session will also be part hands-on activity to demonstrate how profound stories can begin with simple prompts. Participants are invited to consider how they can contribute their own stories or connect their students with project. 

Why theatre? Because embodied stories engage all our senses and touch us in the heart. Plays honor and amplify stories that deserve to be heard. Drama can be powerful resistance.

Session Outcomes

• Identify key elements of "community-based theatre".
• Create a seedling of a migration story.
• Evaluate the benefits of creating original theatre based on true stories.

11 am — 12:20 am

AC 240

Conflict De-Escalation

Learn practical, confidence-building strategies to navigate tense moments before they escalate. In this interactive one-hour session, you’ll learn how to recognize rising conflict, apply effective de-escalation techniques, and lower the risk of workplace violence. Conflict De-Escalation gives you a supportive space to strengthen your emotional intelligence, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and practice staying calm under pressure. Walk away with tools you can use immediately to create safer, more productive interactions in any setting.

Session Outcomes

• Identify common internal and external triggers that can escalate workplace conflict.
• Analyze high-stress scenarios to determine appropriate de-escalation strategies.
• Demonstrate active-listening and empathy-building skills to support more constructive conflict outcomes.
• Implement problem-solving strategies that promote safer, calmer interactions during tense situations.

Jason Vickery 

Suad Vila

1 pm — 2:20 pm

AC 240

What Does It Take to Create a Culture of Equity? A Thought Experiment

This FLEX session is an invitation to join us for the Equity in Mental Health Symposium, taking place at the IVC April 29th and 30th. We’ll begin by briefly describing how the EMH Symposium started, the quality of the speakers and workshops that we’ve experienced over the past three years, and why we’re excited about being involved with EMH again this Spring. 

Then, working in small groups, we’ll all play a thought experiment together designed by the Philosopher John Rawls, called The Veil of Ignorance. Rawls theorized that one way to remove our biases in our construction of equitable rules for our society would be to design the rules for the society from what he called an “original position”—before we knew what identity we would have in that society. If a society’s rules are designed behind a “veil of ignorance,” is it possible to design a culture wherein everyone in the society can thrive and feel cared for, no matter their identity or situation? 

This is a creative opportunity to evaluate the culture we live in, redesign how cultural benefits are distributed and to whom, and rethink who benefits from the rules we design. At the end of the game, the veil of ignorance will lift: you’ll find out who you are in the society, and reflect upon how well the rules you created will serve your needs and aspirations.

Session Outcomes

• Build community by collaboratively envisioning and creating together in small groups.
• Analyze who the current rules benefit most, and how to restructure those patterns to equitably serve everyone in the society.
• Individually and collaboratively consider the impact of your design on diverse individuals.
• Reflect together on the possibility of creating a more equitable culture: what’s to stop us?

Craig Coss 

Patricia France and the EMH Symposium Planning Team

1 pm — 2:20 pm

AC 246

Unlocking your creativity through fun word games

After a very short talk, everyone will participate in several spontaneous, led writing exercises that will bring out their creativity in a fun way--so they should bring paper and pen or pencil.

Session Outcomes

• Show how anyone can access their inner creativity.
• Alleviate stress through developing creativity.
• Remove blocks to writing.
• Develop inter-collegiate rapport by participating in writing exercises together.

1 pm — 2:20 pm

Creekside Main Entrance of CSS Building

Center for Student Success Guided Tour: What is Where

Question: What do Umoja, the Tutoring Center, the Reading and Writing Lab, and coffee have in common?

Answer: They can all be found in our Center for Student Success (CSS). Join us for an 80-minute guided tour of our college's new student hub.

• Find out what is where
• Learn a little bit about a lot of services
• Enjoy spectacular views of Mount Tam 

We will meet at the CSS main entrance in the lobby on the creek side of the building and walk all over this three-story building. As we explore, we will hear from many leaders of services and departments in the CSS. The long-anticipated CSS is beautiful, and it's going to serve our students for decades to come, so why not be among the very first to check it out?

Session Outcomes

• Locate old friends, such as the Library, SAS, and Counseling, to name just a few, in their new homes.
• Connect students to support services.

Sarah Frye

Caitlin Escobar

Sadika Sulaiman Hara

Dave Patterson

Tea Perales

Gail Rulloda

Beth Sheofsky

Mark Zerrudo

Many More!

2:30 pm — 3:50 pm

Diamond Physical Education Center; Don Barksdale Court

THINK PINK Play4Kay Women’s Basketball Game

The Athletic Department and Women’s Basketball Program invite all faculty and staff to participate in the THINK PINK Play4Kay Women’s Basketball Game, an event that raises awareness and funds for cancer research through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Faculty are encouraged to wear pink attire and join the Marin community in supporting our student-athletes as they compete against Solano College. 

Founded by Hall of Fame Coach Kay Yow, who courageously battled stage IV cancer, the Play4Kay initiative has united campuses and communities nationwide. This event provides an opportunity to recognize the diverse individuals and families impacted by cancer, while fostering hope, solidarity, and collective action.

Session Outcomes

• Strengthen institutional effectiveness by aligning co-curricular engagement with professional growth initiatives.
• Build community across departments, disciplines, and campus groups through a shared, mission-driven event.
• Reinforce equity-minded and inclusive practices by recognizing the diverse communities impacted by cancer.
• Enhance faculty understanding of the connections between student wellness, community engagement, and academic success.
• Provide meaningful opportunities for faculty to engage with students, colleagues, and community partners outside the classroom.

2:30 pm — 3:50 pm

AC 240

Prepared, Not Scared: Emergency Response Training for Campus

Do You Know What to Do in a Campus Emergency? 

Join us for an interactive and educational session with Campus Police designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively during emergencies. 

In this class, you will: 

• Learn what to do in case of a fire, medical emergency, or other critical situations on campus. Understand best practices for keeping yourself and others safe.
• Discover your role and responsibilities as a College employee during an emergency.
• Gain actionable strategies to protect students, colleagues, and the community. 

Your participation ensures that our campus remains a safe and prepared environment for everyone. Don’t wait until an emergency happens—be ready to act when it matters most!

Session Outcomes

• Learn what to do in case of a fire, medical emergency, or other critical situations on campus..
• Understand best practices for keeping yourself and others safe.
• Discover your role and responsibilities as a District employee during an emergency.
• Gain actionable strategies to protect students, colleagues, and the community.

Raul Aguilar

Dustin Ruiz

2:30 pm — 3:50 pm

???

CSS Technology Training

???

Session Outcomes

• ???

8 am — 8:45 am

Performing Arts Lobby

Meet and Greet – Coffee, tea, and light refreshments

9 am – 11 am

James Dunn Theater

Convocation

11 am - 12 pm

Engagement Fair

12 pm — 1:30 pm

Cafeteria, KTD

UPM Meeting and UPM Lunch

UPM members are encouraged to attend this meeting to hear the latest on UPM activities. Lunch provided.

1:30 pm — 3:30 pm

Various Locations

Academic Department Meetings

Join your academic department meeting for updates and planning information. Check the ProLearning Workshop Calendar for room locations.

2:30 pm - 3:50 pm

Zoom

What Does Immigration Have to Do with ... (Insert Your Discipline): Interdisciplinary Approaches to COMmon Read 26-27 

Come learn about Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora, the book that has been chosen for our COMmon Read program for the academic year August 2026 through May 2027. A New York Times Bestseller, "Solito" was named one of the best books of 2022 by The New York Times Book Review, NPR, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and others. UC Davis has selected it for their shared reading program. Zamora "tells the inspiring story of his migration from El Salvador to the United States at the age of nine in this 'gripping memoir' (NPR) of bravery, hope, and finding family." Javier Zamora has a couple of important connections to College of Marin. His parents attended classes here 25 years ago, which is mentioned in the book! Also, Javier did a very popular poetry reading here at COM in 2018. COMmon Read is a year-long shared reading program that encourages the entire community to join to read and discuss a book in common through an interdisciplinary lens. We hope to foster a greater sense of community through a shared academic and social experience, encourage exchanging ideas among students, faculty, and staff, increase awareness of cultural and social issues, and promote various disciplines across campuses. We hope that planning now, a semester in advance, gives everyone time to plan and prepare. Join us to consider ways you and your students might participate.

Session Outcomes

• Consider how the cross-curricular themes of "Solito: A Memoir" might fit with your instruction.
• Build community through participation in COMmon Read.
• Enjoy a good book in good company.

Sarah Frye

Erin Africa

Patricia France

Hugo Guillen

Colleen Mihal

Beth Patel

Dave Patterson

Becky Reetz

Many More!

2:30 pm - 3:50 pm

Zoom

International Students at COM: In Their Own Words 

Learn about the challenges, needs, and supports for our international students! Based on sabbatical research that involved interviewing students and staff serving students from abroad, this presentation will focus on the key findings from focus groups, with quotes from the students themselves; some students may be able to join the session as well. There will be time for participants to discuss how this information might impact their work and to brainstorm ways to better support these students. While the international student group at the college is relatively small, these remarkably resilient students, who provide valuable global viewpoints in our classes, are often "invisible" in our classrooms.

Session Outcomes

• Learn about the needs, challenges, and supports of international students.
• Identify strategies to better integrate and support international students at the college.

2:30 pm - 3:50 pm

Zoom

Using Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monito

This session will be hosted by our Respondus support team and provides guidance on how to set up Respondus in a Canvas course, demonstrate Respondus from the student perspective, and provide information on use cases and best practices. The session will be recorded.

Session Outcomes

• Set up Respondus in a Canvas Quiz.
• Navigate Respondus from the student perspective.
• Identify ways to use Respondus to maintain academic integrity.

Stacey Lince 

TBD Respondus Trainer

2:30 pm - 3:50 pm

Zoom

Meeting Basic Needs and Supporting Student Wellness

A presentation on basic needs services provided by partnerships that are partnered with the student activities and advocacy office. Partnerships will present around their county level services and how it would benefit the students at COM in order to address the critical needs of students who may struggle in meeting their basic needs.

Session Outcomes

• Connect to support services on campus and in the community which will enable students to meet basic needs and learn how to respond to personal/financial challenges.
• Identify how students can benefit from financial coaching, housing support, food resources, technology resources, and personal/wellness support and advising.

Lia Lara 

Sadika Sulaiman Hara

2:30 pm - 3:50 pm

Zoom

Mandatory Revision in e-lumen

Provide training for faculty in how to complete a mandatory revision in e-lumen.

Session Outcomes

• Supporting faculty in keeping course outlines of record up to date.

Grace Yuan

Cari Torres

1 pm — 3:50 pm

Bolinas Field Station

Bolinas Field Station and Tide pool exploration

We will first visit the Bolinas Field Station in the early afternoon for a couple of hours and then offer an optional marine bio tide-pooling trip at nearby Duxbury Reef in the late afternoon. There is much to share like current research, various collaborations and summer 2025 success as well as plans for moving forward.

Session Outcomes

• Evaluate projects in life sciences and beyond.
• Identify aspects of the Bolinas Field Station that might be useful for collaborative projects.