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About This Episode

Season 1. Episode 1.

In this episode, we speak with the President/CEO, and COO of Growing Inland Achievement. We also speak to the President of California State University, San Bernardino. 

Featured Guests

Dr. Carlos Ayala

President & CEO, Growing Inland Achievement. 

Biography

Emma Diaz has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of healthcare and education. She is currently the Director for the Inland Adult Education Consortium at San Bernardino Valley College, where she manages the implementation of the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) legislation. As Director she has played a leadership role in creating and expanding educational programs across the region for underserved, often marginalized populations in adult education.

Emma participates regularly on state level advisory groups, presents at regional, state and national conferences, and is an international lecturer. She strategically positioned the Inland Adult Education Consortium as the professional development center for the Inland Empire, partnering with both state and national organizations. Most recently hosting the 2nd Annual Google Summit for Adult Education.

In addition to her current role as Consortium Director, she teaches for both credit and noncredit programs at multiple community colleges. She is currently a Board Member of the Association of Continuing and Community Education and is on the Basic Skills and Noncredit Committee for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge.

Ann Marie Sakrekoff

Chief Operations Officer, Growing Inland Achievement

Biography

Annette Webb, M.Ed., is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of California Riverside, University Extension. In her role, Annette upholds University Extension’s preeminent status in the professional, online, and continuing studies realm by evaluating and successfully responding to the educational needs of non-traditional learners, both domestic and international. She provides leadership in curricular and instructional areas, strategic planning, partnership engagement, student success, academic quality, and financial management.

Annette is a product of the California Master Plan for Higher Education, beginning her educational journey at Crafton Hills Community College then transferring to California State University, San Bernardino to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Higher Education Leadership and Policy from UC Riverside.

She is a member of Growing Inland Achievement’s Returning Adult Action Network Team and she is the inaugural Co-Chair and Staff Representative for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women at UCR. Annette is a proponent for life-long learning and is a higher education professional who represents excellence, accountability, integrity, and respect.

Interview Highlights

2:44 – Ann Marie shares how GIA got started.

3:35 – Ann Marie explains GIA’s mission, and how they go about achieving that.

6:09 – Ann Marie explains what a collective impact collaborative is and how it works.

7:55 – Carlos describes the change he’s seen happen in the Inland Empire as a result of GIA’s work.

13:27 – Carlos shares where the greatest successes have occurred from bringing together all these local education leaders.

16:42 – Carlos expresses his concerns about achieving the goals of GIA during the height of the pandemic.

21:44 – Ann Marie explains how she sees GIA continuing to help students get the tools they need to be successful.

24:30 – Carlos shares what kinds of change he’s hoping to see in the future due to GIA.

29:49 – Dr. Morales describes the process of working with GIA and the goals they share.

31:49 – Dr. Morales talks about the greatest work that has occurred for this team at GIA.

39:50 – Dr. Morales reflects on the most important thing that must happen if we’re going to change the outlook for the Inland region.

45:52: Special Feature: Judy White

View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://inlandempiregia.org/gia-podcasts/

Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.

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