Fall Education Event: Facts about FACCC

by Dara, FA Vice President

Our Education Luncheon this semester was focused on introducing or re-introducing the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges (FACCC).

We hosted Emily Haraldson, Southern California Ambassador for FACCC (and art history prof at Glendale Community College) and Anna Mathews, Government Relations Director for FACCC. They highlighted what FACCC is in relation to unions and ASCCC. As a reminder, FACCC is “a professional membership organization with a mission to inform, educate, empower, and advocate for faculty in service to students.”

During our fun and informative workshop, we learned more about Advocacy; special interests California community colleges are “working against”; recent successful legislation such as AB 2370, AB 2033, SB 444, and SB 467; the California Community College Chancellor's Office budget process; and the benefits of becoming a Contract District. Each of these portions of Emily and Anna’s presentation was connected to why and how best to serve students.

A highlight of the workshop was some small group work we participated in to role play connecting with legislators—something that might seem intimidating. After learning a bit about how to find our representatives, our groups practiced strategies to give us tools—and courage—to contact our lawmakers.

Overall, it was a great day of gaining knowledge, some socializing, and fun. Keep an eye out for upcoming Faculty Assembly Education events. You never know what you will learn! You can see Anna and Emily’s MiraCosta Advocacy Training Presentation here.

Three upcoming FACCC events to check out are the

FACCC 2025 Advocacy & Policy Conference (3/23-3/24/2025 in Sacramento)
March in March 2025 (Securing Students’ Futures 3/7/2025 Time and meetup location TBA)
Great Teachers Seminar (6/8-6/12/2025 in San Diego)