Wendy Ho, San Jose Evergreen Community College District Trustee

Tonight was my final Board meeting, marking the end of my 12-year tenure as a San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Trustee.

Over my 12 years on the Board, I have learned so much. I appreciate everyone who has been part of my journey. It has been my honor to stand side by side with you to uphold and live our district values of opportunity, equity and social justice.

Serving this district has been my honor and I leave the district in good hands, with incoming trustees Marsha Grilli and Buu Thai.

Know that I will take all of these experiences with me and that each of you will always have a special place in my heart.

Trustee Ho signing off…

Congratulations to San José City College President Dr. Rowena Tomaneng for being named Deputy Chancellor of the California Community Colleges. While we will miss her at the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District, I know that she will continue to lead with equity on behalf of the 2+ million community college students across our state.

Read more: https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/2024-tomaneng-deputy-chancellor

Celebrating over 1300 graduates at Evergreen Valley College’s commencement ceremony, marking a wonderful finish to the season!

The gang is back together to celebrate our 3000+ San José City College graduates.

It’s San José City College showcase night at today’s Board of Trustees meeting. The college shared information on how they are supporting students and helping them find their SPOT, cultivating that sense of belonging and community.

Last night, my colleagues selected me to serve as Board Vice President alongside new Board President Tony Alexander. Let’s get to work!

Got my fill of professional development at the Community College League of CA Annual Convention with colleagues from the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District. The convention was a good reminder of who we serve in the community college system.

Earlier this week, the Board presented a commendation to the family of former San Jose-Evergreen Community College District Trustee and San Jose City Councilmember Nancy Pyle.

Nancy was my predecessor’s predecessor on the board and was a huge influence in my first few years on the board. She left an incredible legacy behind and we are so grateful for her leadership.

Always an honor to celebrate the resilience of our students during commencement season.

I had a blast kicking off AAPI Heritage Month at Evergreen Valley College yesterday. Loved the fashion show featuring traditional clothing from various AAPI cultures. I even got to break out my kimona, a traditional Filipino blouse made from cloth from pineapple leaves that are intricately woven together.

A very sad day for us at SJECCD. Thank you for your tireless commitment to our students and community, Jorge. You will be missed.

Please read below for a message from SJECCD Interim Chancellor Raul Rodriguez regarding the passing of Vice Chancellor Jorge Escobar:

It is with profound sadness and grief that I write to share the unfortunate news that Vice Chancellor Jorge Escobar has passed away after a tragic accident while on vacation in Mexico. My deepest condolences go out to Jorge’s family and friends, including his many friends and colleagues in our District.

Those who worked closely with Jorge or had experience with him know that he was an extremely talented administrator who embodied a rare combination of professional and interpersonal skills. Great at bringing people together and building coalitions, he was a steadfast supporter of students and had a knack for creative problem solving. Beyond his professional acumen, Jorge was known for his kindness, generosity, and sense of humor.

In addition to the impact that Jorge had on our District, he also played a significant role in the broader community. He was involved in many organizations doing vital work to make San Jose and the Silicon Valley a great place to live, learn, and work for everyone.

It is impossible to fully reflect the impact he has had on our District in the almost-10 years he has been a part of the SJECCD family. In his time at San José City College and then at the District Office, Jorge always demonstrated strong leadership and there is no doubt he is leaving a lasting legacy in our District.

The Escobar family has asked for privacy during this difficult time, but please join me in keeping them in your thoughts or prayers in a way that is meaningful to you.

Sincerely,

Raul Rodriguez
Interim Chancellor