Classified Senate
Building Classified Voice Together
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) and Santa Ana College (SAC) are working collaboratively to establish a Classified Senate at each college, creating new opportunities to strengthen and amplify classified professional voices across the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
Work groups from both colleges are partnering with CSEA, recognizing that Classified Senate and CSEA serve different but complementary roles in supporting classified professionals.
This collaborative effort has received support from the executive leadership of both colleges and 4CS (California Community College Classified Senate) as we explore a structure that encourages classified participation, leadership, professional engagement, and meaningful involvement in our college communities.
A Classified Senate provides classified professionals with an organized voice in matters that support the college's mission and are outside the scope of collective bargaining.
The Senate can create opportunities for classified professionals to:
- Participate more fully in collegial consultation and college governance
- Share classified perspectives on matters affecting our colleges and students
- Develop leadership and professional engagement opportunities
- Strengthen communication and collaboration among classified professionals
- Support initiatives that contribute to student success, belonging, and the overall college community
The formal mission, structure, and guiding documents are currently being developed.
Different roles. Shared commitment. Stronger classified voices.
The Classified Senate is not intended to replace, duplicate, or compete with CSEA. CSEA represents classified employees in collective bargaining and matters related to wages, hours, working conditions, contractual rights, and employee representation. Classified Senate provides an additional avenue for classified professionals to participate in collegial consultation, professional development, institutional initiatives, leadership, and conversations that contribute to the mission and direction of the college. SCC and SAC Classified Senate work groups are partnering with CSEA to help amplify classified voices while respecting and maintaining these distinct roles.
Classified professionals are often among the first people students encounter and continue to play an important role throughout the student experience.
The Classified Senate effort aligns naturally with the principles of Caring Campus, recognizing the meaningful impact classified professionals have in creating welcoming environments, strengthening students' sense of belonging, connecting students with resources, and supporting student success.
Learn more about Caring Campus: https://www.sccollege.edu/campus/scc-cares
Questions?
The SCC Classified Senate Work Group welcomes your questions, ideas, and interest as this effort continues to develop.
| Name | Department | Phone | |
| Elizabeth Bergara | Veterans Resource Center | (714) 628-4879 | Bergara_elizabeth@sccollege.edu |
| Haydeh Kaveh | Institutional Effectiveness & Research | (714) 628-5080 | Kaveh_haydeh@sccollege.edu |
| Esther Meade | NextUP / Guardian Scholars | (714) 628-4720 | Meade_esther@sccollege.edu |
| Jeanette Solis | Student Services | (714) 628-4884 | Solis_jeanette@sccollege.edu |
More to Come
We are building this together.
Please check back for updates regarding our mission, structure, upcoming Town Hall, opportunities to participate, and other Classified Senate developments.