Personal Finances 101 for Faculty: Understanding the Landscape and Ingredients for an Effective Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee on the College Campus were among the many engaging sessions at the CCA Winter Conference that brought shared understanding of the issues community colleges face and shined light on how we can become a stronger union.

Ingredients for an Effective DEIA Committee on the College Campus was an interactive workshop where facilitators led engaged participants to identify the optimal ingredients for establishing an effective DEIA committee on the college campus and tie this to the plight of part-time faculty in their quest for equity.

“We need DEIA not just as a concept, but as a practice. It is essential for part-time faculty like myself. Without DEIA, we continue to be pushed aside. DEIA is also for marginalized communities where we feel like we don’t belong. We deserve to be treated with respect. We need DEIA to be an intentional part of our union,” said Noushin Seddighzadeh, CCA Part-Time Faculty Issues Committee Member and Mathematics Professor at Saddleback College.

Some of the suggestions provided by participants in the DEIA session included owning mistakes, taking action to model for students and the community, including everyone at the table and having measurable targets.

Personal Finances 101 for Faculty: Understanding the Landscape offered an overview of how STRS DB and DBS, 403b’s, 457’s, IRA’s, Annuities and 529’s work together to ensure your family’s well-being and a comfortable retirement for you.

“Faculty are seldom encouraged and sometimes even actively discouraged from talking about money, yet financial stability is a necessary condition for successful teaching and thus for student learning. I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity at my local and at CCA to help my colleagues understand the personal financial landscape as well as the importance of taking positive steps to save for retirement now rather than later,” said Jonathan Ausubel, CCA Treasurer and English Professor at Chaffey College.

When asked what the number one recommendation to members for successful savings is, Ausubel said “STRS won’t be enough on its own; if you haven’t already started supplemental savings, now is the time to start.”