Melanie Burnau

This document details the 'Creative Confidence' project, an initiative led by Barstow Community College and funded by Growing Inland Achievement, focused on building and supporting innovation, creativity, and confidence in Inland Empire youth. Key areas include the development of a diagnostic tool to measure creative confidence, providing immersive learning experiences, and promoting college and career readiness. The initiative aims to equip students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial mindsets, fostering their ability to create value for themselves and their communities.

This Strategic Plan outlines a collaborative process to align fiscal, physical, human, and technological resources to enhance student learning, achievement, and community needs. The plan is driven by inquiry and facilitated dialogue to make informed decisions and achieve continuous quality improvement. Key strategic priorities include innovating for equitable student success, fostering a culture of learning and innovation, building community, and achieving sustainable excellence in all operations.

This document outlines the 2024-2025 Mental Health Allocations Plan for Barstow College, detailing fiscal reporting and a comprehensive approach to student mental health services. Key strategic areas include implementing campus-based trainings for early identification, intervention, and stigma reduction; fostering partnerships with local behavioral health departments and community-based organizations; providing culturally competent mental health services to address racial disparities; and delivering general program services such as counseling, telehealth, and crisis support. The plan aims to expand capacity, address staffing barriers, and enhance accessibility through initiatives like daily wellness hours and drop-in crisis appointments.

The Barstow Area Consortium for Adult Education (BACAE)'s Three-Year Plan (2025-2028) outlines a regional strategy focused on equity, collaboration, and alignment with postsecondary and workforce systems. It aims to deliver a continuum of services, from foundational instruction to postsecondary credentials and employment, for adult learners across the High Desert region. The plan specifically prioritizes five underserved populations: English language learners, justice-involved adults, individuals with disabilities (including mental health needs), housing-insecure adults, and residents of remote and rural communities. BACAE's approach focuses on removing systemic barriers, strengthening student transitions, and improving access and engagement to build a more inclusive, resilient, and responsive adult education system.

This plan outlines Barstow College's strategic direction to enhance support for LGBTQ+ students and allies from 2025 to 2026. Key objectives include increasing access to inclusive, affirming, and tailored services, expanding the scope and visibility of campus resources, and strengthening programming despite existing limitations in staffing and physical space. The plan also focuses on improving campus climate, fostering a sense of belonging, and establishing a consistent framework for LGBTQ+ services through initiatives such as workshops for academic success and career readiness, strategic partnerships, and intentional outreach. The overarching goal is to advance institutional commitment to LGBTQ+ student success, safety, and empowerment through equity-driven approaches.