Cohort Reflections
Agriculture, Water, and the Environment
Dhruv Pandya VCLA Cohort XXVI Information Security Specialist, J.D. Power Terri Anderson VCLA Cohort XXVI Labor Relations Manager, County of Ventura What a day! Ventura County is known for many things, but one of THE top things for which our county is known for is Agriculture. And of course, how agriculture grows is affected by…
Read MoreSocietal Inequities in Education
Rabiah Rahman, VCLA Cohort XXVI Attorney/Founder, Rabiah At Law VCLA Cohort XXVI has once again demonstrated why we are #Virtutallythebest! On Feb. 5, 2021, we convened on Zoom to discuss education and how Ventura County’s educators are leading during this time of crisis. Nearly a year into the COVID-19 global pandemic, educators have had to navigate…
Read MoreThe Well-Being of Students During COVID
Katlyn Simber-Clickner, VCLA Cohort XXVI Recreation Coordinator, Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District As I began to write this reflection, I wanted to highlight all the things that Distance Learning has taken from students and I wanted to highlight all the positives that have come from Distance Learning. As I went down that rabbit hole it…
Read MoreHomelessness in VC
Erika Singletary, VCLA Cohort XXVI Operations Specialist II, Ventura County Office of Education The temperatures this winter in Ventura County have been higher than average and we are behind in the average rainfall. For some, this represents drought conditions, to others however, it means that they may be able to cope with the elements a little…
Read MoreThe State of Public Safety
Nick Odenath, VCLA Cohort XXVI President, Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association I found this VCLA session of particular interest. The focus of this session was on public safety in Ventura County. You might be asking yourself why is this a session Nick was looking forward too since he has spent the last 19 years in public…
Read MorePublic Safety-Working Together
Christina Tokatlian, VCLA Cohort XXVI Forensic Scientist and Local CODIS Administrator Ventura County Sheriff’s Office November 8, 2018 is a day I will never forget. I remember waking up that morning to go to work and the first piece of news I heard about was the horrific Borderline shooting that took place the night before and…
Read MoreVCLA – Fountain of Knowledge & Inspiration
Julius Sokenu, VCLA Cohort XXVI Interim President, Moorpark College Ventura County Community College District Prior to Friday, November 13, I did not know what it felt like to hold a drum between my legs and place my palms in a V to drum. Now I have proof that drumming is good for the heart and elevates…
Read MoreWhose Eyes Are You Seeing VC Through?
Tracy McAulay, VCLA Cohort XXVI Management Analyst County of Ventura Like the first two VCLA sessions, session 3 was a whirlwind. We delved into the economy, transportation and the arts – no small task for a single day. All of the presentations were fascinating, and I could write pages. As I reflected on the day, I…
Read MoreVirtually the Best – Reflection
Jennifer Duston, VCLA Cohort XXVI Client Partner Franklin Covey As John Quincy Adams so eloquently stated, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, & become more, you are a leader.” I couldn’t choose words more appropriate to describe Cohort XXVI and our day of learning with community leaders as a part…
Read MoreAll Barks & No Bites
Caitlin Brooks VCLA Cohort XXVI Program Manager/Transportation Planning Ventura County Transportation Commission If you don’t like dogs or puns, this recap of VCLA Cohort XXVI Session 2 is going to be ruff. Please furgive me and I promise by the time you’ve finished reading you won’t be hounding anyone for more. Our second session (but…
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