President's Office

Reports to the Board of Trustees

Feb. 2, 2026, Board Meeting

Each month, President Kristina Whalen gives a report on college activities, honors, and achievements during the regular meeting of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees.

View Board Reports Archive

Awards & Achievements

Recognition by ACCCA (Association of California Community College Administrators)

At ACCCA in Long Beach in February

VP Laurie Scolari was recently recognized by our Statewide Administrator's Association for the 2026 ACCCA Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence. Laurie will be recognized at the upcoming February 19 ACCCA conference in Long Beach.

Thank you to VP of Student Services, Laurie Scolari, for her service.

 

2026 League of Innovation Excellence Awards

Announced this month; honored at LOI Conference in March 

Lene Whitley-Putz
Lene Whitley-Putz is honored with the Excellence in Innovation Award for her visionary leadership in transforming teaching and learning at Foothill College. Working alongside a dynamic team of instructional designers, Lene has championed student-centered online education grounded in accessibility and meaningful engagement. Her leadership in professional learning—through initiatives like POCR and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy—has empowered faculty to embrace reflective and inclusive teaching practices. Through her pilot of emerging technologies, including the AI tool RUMI, and her forward-looking vision for faculty development, Lene ensures that educators are prepared to thrive in an evolving digital landscape while deepening connection and inclusion in every classroom.

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Allison Meezan
Allison Meezan is celebrated for her remarkable leadership and dedication to fostering a culture of innovation across Foothill College. As Interim SLO Coordinator, she revitalized the outcomes assessment process, engaging faculty in meaningful reflection and leading the development of new Institutional Learning Outcomes. As Chair of the Teaching with Technology Committee, Allison has guided campus discussions on artificial intelligence with extraordinary care and insight, ensuring that questions of ethics, equity, and access remain at the forefront of technological innovation. Her thoughtful, inclusive approach has positioned Foothill as a leader in harnessing technology to enhance learning and community engagement.

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Konstantin Kalaitzidis
Konstantin Kalaitzidis is recognized for his exceptional contributions to advancing hands-on, interdisciplinary innovation through the Emerging Technology Institute. As Program Coordinator, he has built and sustained the infrastructure that empowers students and employees to explore new frontiers in AI, blockchain, extended reality, quantum sciences, and more. Through projects like the Principia publication and his collaboration with TTW on robotics, Konstantin nurtures creativity, experimentation, and discovery across disciplines. His tireless commitment to mentoring students and fostering an environment where curiosity drives learning has made him a cornerstone of Foothill’s innovative spirit.

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Zach Cembellin
Zach Cembellin is honored for his inspiring leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing innovation in STEM education. As Dean of STEM, Zach provides visionary guidance for the Emerging Technology Institute and the Foothill AI Fellows program, encouraging a transformative culture that bridges technology, learning, and human connection. His dedication to empowering faculty and staff, coupled with his advocacy for resources that enable authentic, hands-on learning, has significantly strengthened the college’s capacity for technological innovation. Through his leadership, Zach continues to elevate Foothill’s role as a forward-thinking institution where creativity, inclusion, and exploration thrive.

Thank you to Lene Whitley-Putz, Allison Meezan, Zach Cembellin, and Konstantin Kalaitzidis for your exceptional contributions.

 

Poet Laureate Convocation

January 27, 2026

Foothill College officially recognized our very first Poet Laureate, Marvin Flores Hernandez, at a packed convocation in Appreciation Hall. Marvin read several of his poems and was accompanied on several pieces by drums and violins. It was powerful. Event and brought the Foothill community together to celebrate the power of words.

Poet Laureate Marvin Hernandez, Dean Valerie Fong, faculty Hilda Fernandez and Susie Huerta, and LAES Division Admin assistant, Sheherazade Arasnia.

 

Physics Show 

December 2025 and January 2026

The Holiday Physics Shows concluded on January 10th, and we can now officially celebrate over 250,000 attendees! Professor David Marasco has kept a running tally for the last 19 years, and he is a physicist, so we can trust his numbers!

Thank you to David Marasco and Frank Cascarano.

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Strategic Updates

Blueprint for Success Kickoff Celebration

On January 28, Foothill College employees and students gathered in the campus dining hall to officially kick off our Foothill 2030 Blueprint for Success work. The four goal leads introduced their objective teams, and the college will begin our work. 

Thank you to students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

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Events

AI: Ancestral Intelligence—An Evening with Judge

February 6, 2026  

We are deeply honored to welcome our keynote speaker, the Honorable Robert R. Rigsby, Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court. 

Judge Rigsby’s life and work exemplify how education, determination, and community support transform possibility into purpose, reminding us that we, too, are future leaders, changemakers, and architects of justice. 

Thank you to Lisa Hills and Karl Welch. 

 

Women’s Basketball Tailgate Party 

February 11 at 4:30 PM 

Meet our women's basketball families, enjoy some snacks, and watch the Owls match up against Skyline College. The game starts at 5 p.m. 

 

Foothill Music Theatre Presents... 

Starts Friday, February 27, and runs through Sunday, March 15. 

Foothill Music Theatre: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Get your tickets now! 

Directed by Milissa Carey.