Symposium Agenda-At‐A‐Glance

Concilio (NCCHC) Leadership Symposium 2025 – Luz, Comunidad y Unidad: Iluminando Caminos Juntos 

(Subject to updating and Change) 

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Thursday, September 25

3:00 to 6:00 p.m. – Symposium Check‐In, Registration, Exhibits

6:00 to 10:00 p.m. – “Recepción y gran cena familiar” – Celebrating 2024-2025 Fellows Graduation 

Friday, September 26

8:00 to 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast and Exhibits

9:00 to 10:00 a.m. – Opening General Session/Keynote (Fireside Chat)

Welcome: Dr. Mike Munoz, NCCHC President and Superintendent/President of Long Beach City College  

Guiding Lights: A Charla with Dr. DeRionne Pollard, Incoming President and CEO of AACC, and Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick, Senior Fellow with the Aspen Institute and former Chancellor of MCCCD 

10:15 -11:00 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions (3)

  1. Small Acts, Big Impact: The Caring Campus Approach – Georgia Flores, Cristela Garcia, Northeast Lakeview College, TX
  2. The Comeback Class: Graduation Never Expired – Tina Garcia, Angelica Rueda, Community College of Denver, CO
  3. Leveraging the Seal of Excelencia Framework for Institutional Transformation – Dr. Sonia De La Torre-Iniguez, Dr. Nohel C. Corral, Long Beach City College, CA

11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m – Concurrent Sessions (3)

  1. METAS Rising: Increasing Access and Aspirations for Formerly Incarcerated Students – Dr. Eric D. Becerra, Dr. Sonia De La Torre, Long Beach City College, CA
  2. Transformación en Acción: Building Equity-Centered Legal Pathways – Dr. Vicenta Arrizon Maffris, Linda Thai, Santa Monica College, CA
  3. Reentry, Resilience, and Reimagining: Personal Journeys Driving Change in Community – Giovanni Ochoa, Rodolfo Emilio Flores, Los Angeles Mission College, CA

12:00 to 12:45 p.m. – Networking Luncheon 

12:45 to 1:30 p.m. – Award Presentation/Members’ Meeting 

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – General Session

Luz y Justicia: A Conversation with Dolores Huerta on Leading with Courage and Unity
Join us for an inspiring fireside chat with civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, whose legacy as a labor leader, activist, and co-founder of the United Farm Workers has illuminated the path toward equity and justice. In this conversation, Huerta will share her reflections on leadership, activism, and the enduring power of luz, comunidad, y unidad to transform communities. 

2:45 to 3:30 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions (3)

  1. A Call for Power, Pertenencia, and Purpose – Teresa Guia, City Colleges of Chicago, IL
  2. Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers: Best Practices for Latinx Enrollment – Guadalupe Pasillas, Laura Zhang, Prejahle Williams, Long Beach City College, CA
  3. Leading with Intention: Narratives that Spark Systemwide Success – Dr. Maria V. Boccalandro, Dr. Catherine P. Oliverez, Dallas College, TX

3:30 p.m. – Refreshment Break

DINNER ON OWN – In beautiful Long Beach, CA
Saturday, September 27

9:00 to 10:00 a.m. – Networking Breakfast/Exhibits

10:15 to 11:00 a.m. – General Session

Liderazgo, Determinacion, y Corazon: A Fellows Panel – Moderated by Dr. Jaime Anzalotta, Miami Dade College, FL 

11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Closing General Session:

Presentation: Authentic Leadership in Turbulent Times: Staying True to Yourself While Making a Difference – Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, Superintendent/President, Palomar Community College District