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鈥淚f you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.鈥� Booker T. Washington

As we approach Black History Month, Booker T. Washington鈥檚 statement 鈥淚f you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else,鈥� is an important reminder of the ways we depend on one another to move MJC and all its services forward.  His statement brings to mind another JFK quote, which is 鈥淎 rising tide lifts all boats.鈥�  

Moving forward thoughtfully involves a certain amount of simultaneous looking back, and as I reflect on 2024 and anticipate 2025 with this 360掳 view, I鈥檓 reminded of some of our important partnerships that involve lifting each other up.  Strategic partnerships in education lead to more powerful options for students, so our work is all at once focused on the immediate, such as the Fire Science Academy completion ceremony and on the cultural richness conveyed by Ballet Folkl贸rico at the Hispanic Education Conference, and on the global, such as collaborative conversations between MJC and CSU, Stanislaus leaders to discover how together we might improve comprehensive educational options.

• As I鈥檝e expressed in other venues, however, my focus is on the word onward, that forward-looking perspective of strength that propels us.  While we may relish victories achieved in 2024, it is behind us, in the past.  2025 and beyond is where our power lies.  
• 2025 is when we will receive the college鈥檚 official finding from the accrediting commission, and as a result we accept new challenges that will inevitably elevate the level of excellent instruction we already offer.
• 2025 is when we will graduate the largest class of MJC students ever.  
• 2025 is when we will have the privilege of selecting six full-time faculty, a dean, and numerous classified professionals to join our community.
• 2025 is when we will welcome Caring Campus for Faculty and add to the many benefits brought about by that program because of Classified Professionals鈥� commitment to it.
• 2025 is when collaborative groups of dedicated College and District individuals will continue to guide our progress through AB1111 and AB928, two initiatives that require our best thinking, much transformative work and conversation, and many hours, all for the benefit of students.  
• 2025 is when each of us will see the achievement of our own goals, for if we fully dedicate our entire existence to the institution, we may become lifeless, less able to contribute fully and meaningfully, and less able to give MJC the perspective it deserves.  

For myself, I鈥檓 making a commitment to saying 鈥淚t鈥檒l be ok鈥� more often.  One thing life has taught me is that things usually turn out for the best鈥攕ometimes in unpredictable and unexpected ways鈥攂ut usually for the best.  If that perspective of reassurance puts one of you at ease, then this is a perspective worth taking.  By saying 鈥淥K鈥�, I am in my own way lifting each of you鈥攜our voices, your perspectives, intellect, knowledges鈥攚ho collectively make us whole. 

Photo Captions from left to right: 
Left: At the MJC Ag Patio welcoming the new President of CSU, Stanislaus is Patrick Bettencourt, Troy Gravatt, and Brian Sanders with CSU, Stanislaus鈥� Jim Tuedio, Dean of College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Britt Rios-Ellis, President; and Rich Ogle, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Middle: Celebrating our cultural heritage and the heritages of others uplifts our sense of community, fosters understanding and respect between diverse groups, promotes inclusivity, and enriches our collective identity by allowing us to learn from and appreciate different perspectives and traditions.

Right: Serving as a reminder of the interplay between supportive communities, MJC student Lance King stands with his mother after she pinned him at the Fall 2024 Fire Academy Ceremony of Completion where 28 certificates and degrees were conferred.