CSM Flex Day Schedule

8:30-9:20

Continental Breakfast & Welcome

Location: Courtyard outside Bayview Dining Room, Building 10 (map)

Join us for a welcome from our campus leadership to kickstart the day!  We’re keeping things fresh - join us outside Bayview Dining Room in the courtyard around the fountain. Welcoming remarks will begin at 9:00.

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9:30-10:50

1.5 flex credit hours

Know Your Advocacy: Best Practices and Services Offered by the UCC and IIBA

Location: Building 10, Room 194 (map)

Presenters: Martín Márquez, Program Services Coordinator for the Undocumented Community Center; Veronica Guinto, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area

This session invites faculty and classified professionals to engage in collaborative conversations, practical strategies, and explore opportunities for direct engagement in uplifting and advocating undocumented students on our campus. Participants will also gain information from our legal service partners, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA), and the guidance they provide students and the college community. 

This session is open to all employees.

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9:30-10:50

1.5 flex credit hours

Rethinking Assessment in the Age of AI

Location:  Zoom; Watch Room in Building 10, Room 195 (map)

Facilitator:  Kelly Spoon, Math Faculty at San Diego Mesa College and Co-Founder of the College Acceleration Project

How can we design assessments that reflect students’ authentic thinking in a time when AI tools are only a click away? In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore practical strategies for making assessments more meaningful for both faculty and students across disciplines. Together, we’ll try out examples ranging from low-effort tweaks to bigger redesigns, including authentic and renewable assessments, discussion prompts, and worked examples. Participants will leave with concrete ideas they can put into practice this semester to create assessments that are aligned, engaging, and supportive of student learning. 

This session is open to all employees.

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9:30-10:50

1.5 flex credit hours

Perfecting Your Pitch

Location: Building 10, Room 193

Presenter: Elizabeth Smith, Director of Community Relations and Marketing

This session will help you craft a clear, compelling message about your program, accomplishments, or yourself — and learn how to deliver it with confidence in any setting. We’ll focus on developing key messages, crafting an “elevator” speech, and steering conversations toward the content that matters most. Participants will leave with strategies to promote their programs, highlight academic accomplishments, and authentically share their own stories.

This session is open to all employees.

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11:00-12:00

1 flex credit hour

Updated SMCCCD Protocols for Federal Immigration Enforcement

Location:  Zoom Webinar and Watch Room in Building 10, Room 195 (map)

Facilitator: Dr. Aaron McVean, Vice Chancellor of Educational Services & Planning

Recent immigration enforcement actions have raised real concerns for our employees, students, and communities. This session will provide clarity on the San Mateo County Community College District’s protocols for responding to federal immigration enforcement activities on our campuses.
Using the Undocumented Community Resources webpage as a foundation, the session will:

• Review districtwide protocols and legal protections
• Explain our revised approach regarding public and non-public spaces
  
• Walk through how employees should respond if approached by enforcement officers
  
• Share resources available to support undocumented students and communities

Participants will leave with practical knowledge and strategies to help foster a safe, supportive campus environment.

This session is open to all employees.

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11:00-12:00

1 flex credit hour

Cancelled: AI Community of Practice Launch

Location: Zoom 

Presenter: Jennifer Howze-Owens, Instructional Designer and Co-Chair, District Teaching and Learning Committee

Did you know that, according to the My Robot Teacher Podcast, AI is the new sex education? In the official launch event of the AI CoP, attendees will get a high-level overview of the SMCCD's AI CoP, its goals, and what we hope to gain from joining together to explore, critique, and share the District's ideas on AI in our work.

This session is open to all employees.

Register to have slides sent by email.

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11:00-12:00

1 flex credit hour

IEPI Grant Progress: Advancing Equity-Focused Professional Development.

Facilitators: David Galvez, Director of Equity; Fauzi Hamadeh, Classified Senate President; Marisol Quevedo, Instructional Technologist

Location: Building 10, Room 194 (map)

Join us for an update on College of San Mateo’s Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative (IEPI) grant, which is dedicated to advancing equity-focused professional development for classified professionals. This workshop will share highlights from the recent IEPI Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the collaborative process used to identify equity-centered training opportunities, and partnerships with external consultants supporting this work. Participants will also learn about upcoming professional development opportunities and ways to get involved in shaping future equity initiatives at CSM.

This session is open to all employees.

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12:10-1:00

Buffet Lunch

Location: Bayview Dining Room, Building 10 (map)

Join us for a delicious buffet-style lunch! Please be sure to register so we can anticipate numbers. 

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1:00-1:30

.5 flex credit hours

Community Spotlight: Performance from Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí

Location: Bayview Dining Room, Building 10 (map)

Enjoy lunch and a performance by Ensamble Folclórico Colibrí, an LGBTQ+ Mexican folklórico dance troupe. Though lunch will continue to be available, we'll be asking that attendees give their full attention to the performance. This is the first in a series of performances to further enrich our shared in-person experiences during Flex Days and to spotlight different facets of our community.

This session is open to all employees.

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1:40-3:10

1.5 flex credit hours

Program Review & Resource Requests: Getting Started with Nuventive

Facilitators: Natalie Alizaga, Research Inquiry and Institutional Effectiveness Manager

Location: Building 10, Room 195 (map) and Zoom

This session will include an overview of the review timeline and process for both instructional and student services programs, as well as a demonstration of the Nuventive software and discussion of how to make our assessments meaningful, actionable, and equity-oriented. After a brief review and demonstration of the Nuventive program. the facilitators will answer questions and help attendees get started on their review process.  We can also help you understand things like mid-cycle reviews and annual updates. Bring your laptop and we will help you get started! 

This session is open to all employees.

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1:40-3:10

1.5 flex credit hours

CANCELLED:  Encouraging Visual Thinking and Oral Assessment in the Age of AI

Presenters: Mohsen Janatpour, Astronomy Faculty; Darryl Stanford, Astronomy Faculty; Justin Stevick, Astronomy Faculty

Location: CSM Planetarium, Building 36 (map)

After a brief introduction to the Conjunctive Theory of Mental Imagery in the Arts and Sciences, the workshop demonstrates several already tested methodology for visual learning and oral assessment.

This session is open to all employees.

1:40-2:40

1 flex credit hour

Bulldog 101

Location: Building 10, Room 468 (map)

Presenters: Manuel Alejandro Pérez, President; Fauzi Hamadeh, Classified Senate President

Join us for the second session in the Bulldog 101 series for 2025-26. This year-long adventure is designed to onboard and build community for all our new CSM employees. Each Flex Day, we’ll take this special time to build connections, share insider tips, and discover how we can help you shine in your new role. Missed the first session? No problem! All are welcome.

This session is open to all employees.

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1:40-3:40

Understanding CalPERS for CSEA Members

Location:Zoom

Facilitator:Debb Jachens, CSEA Member Benefits Coordinator

It is never too early to learn how CalPERS pays you later for a lifetime. Learn all about what benefits are available to you now and in the future, the importance of the CalPERS Power of Attorney form, how to purchase substitute time toward your pension, and what information CalPERS uses to calculate your retirement. There will also be time to get your questions answered.

This session is open to CSEA Members.

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3:20-4:20

1 flex credit hour

Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) Drop-in Session

Facilitators: Julieth Diaz Benitez, Instructional Designer; Jennifer Howze-Owens, Instructional Designer; Marisol Quevedo, Instructional Technologist; Erica Reynolds, Instructional Technologist

Location: Zoom

Come with your questions and join us for RSI focused support. This will be an informal “drop-in” setting with the Distance Education team.

This session is open to all employees.

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3:20-4:20

1 flex credit hour

Adaptive Technology Use for Note-Taking

Presenter: Alexis Delevitt, Adapted Technology Specialist; Kevin Sinarle, Interim Program Director, Disability Resource Center

Location: Disability Resource Center (DRC), Building 10, Room 120 (map)

Students in the DRC may have approved accommodations to use adapted technologies in the classroom to address disability-related obstacles around note-taking. While each student's individual needs vary, the use of these technologies can be a game changer for them to better learn from your lectures. Share your best practices for supporting note-taking with your colleagues. Spend some time with DRC staff to learn about the different technologies, how they are used by students to access learning, and address concerns you may have about technology use in the classroom.

This session is open to all employees.

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3:20-4:20

1 flex credit hour

Final Flex Day Reflections with Cabinet

Facilitators: Manuel Alejandro Pérez, President; Chris Walker, Acting Interim Vice President of Instruction; Alex Guiriba, Vice President of Student Services; Gerardo Ramirez, Vice President of Administrative Services; Elizabeth Smith, Director of Community Relations & Marketing; David Galvez, Director of Equity

Location: Building 10, Room 468 (map) and Zoom

Join the executive leadership team for an opportunity to ask questions and reflect on the day.  Coffee, tea, and light refreshments will be served.

This session is open to all employees.

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Asynchronous

1-2 flex credit hours

Complete an SMCCCD Microcourse

Have you ever wanted to learn more about a specific topic related to teaching and learning but have limited time to commit? Are you looking for opportunities to learn in small doses on your own time?

We invite you to take advantage of the SMCCCD microcourses. These are self-paced, asynchronous learning experiences that focus on specific topics of interest. Each microcourse takes 1-2 hours to complete, and you can self-enroll at any time. Upon completion, you will receive constructive feedback and a digital badge. Microcourses may be counted toward Flex credits. Complete one during Flex Day for automatic flex credit.

Current microcourses available: 

• Accessibility Basics with PopeTech (2 flex credit hours)
• Reimagining the syllabus (2 flex credit hours)
• The Easy Button: Recordings with Zoom and Panopto (1.5 flex credit hours)
• Ungrading: Part I (2 flex credit hours)
• Instructor Feedback (1.5 flex credit hours)
• Copyright in Education (2 flex credit hours)
• Revamping Your Course Introduction Video (2 flex credit hours)
• Path to Zero Textbook Course (ZTC) (2 flex credit hours)

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1:30-3:30

Screening Committee Training: The Benefits of Diversity and Understanding Unconscious Bias

The San Mateo County Community College District is committed to hiring a diverse workforce that reflects our student body and our community.  To achieve this goal, the District will be providing increased training related to the benefits of diversity and the elimination of bias in the screening process.  This training is also required by Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations and the District’s Equal Employment Opportunity Plan.

Beginning in Fall 2017, completion of the new “Screening Committee Training: The Benefits of Diversity and Understanding Unconscious Bias” will be required for you to serve in any capacity on a screening committee, and the training will be valid for three years from the date of your training.  If you anticipate participating on a screening committee in any capacity, you are encouraged to attend this training. If you are the chairperson of a screening committee in the near future, you will need to ensure that your committee members have received this training before their service on your committee. Your efforts will help avoid unnecessary delay to your committee since screening and interviewing cannot proceed until all committee members have completed this training.

To prepare for the upcoming Unconscious Bias Training via zoom, please have the following:

1. Prepare to participate in the training for the entire two hours to receive the full credit of serving in a screening committee.
2. Download the zoom app via computer, laptop, mobile phone, or iPad. There will be a PowerPoint Presentation and interactive opportunities throughout the training session. Therefore you will need access to view the screen and have the audio capability to communicate with other participants.

This session is open to all employees.

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