Academies

FOR MEMBERS

Professional Growth Academies

CCA has two annual training academies: Building Strong Locals (BSL) in odd numbered years and the California Leadership Academy (CLA) in even numbered years. Participants are attend the Winter, Spring, and Fall Conferences of the academy year and participate in the sessions offered on Fridays and Saturdays of each conference.

CCA believes in returning members’ dues back to chapters and its members through valuable trainings like these popular academies. Contact your chapter president to participate.

California Leadership Academy (CLA)

FOR CHAPTER LEADERS

Developing Statewide Leaders

Co-Coordinators — Ed Gomez & Kristie Iwamoto

CTA Support Staff – Frank Oppedisano

NEXT CLA CLASS: 2026
CLA APPLICATION

The California Leadership Academy trains faculty interested in leadership positions beyond their local chapters to address threats and opportunities facing community colleges.

Small classes of 12 strong union advocates.

Group of CLA members in training

CLA members learn:

  • To speak publicly on union issues
  • To run effective meetings
  • To debunk negative stereotypes of unions
  • To network with various leadership groups in California

 

2024 CLA GRADUATES

  • Janice Timm, Mendocino Part-Time FA
  • Jacqueline Penhos, Southwestern College EA
  • Kristen Dennis, Southwestern College EA
  • Joshua Christ, Mt. San Antonio College FA
  • Cindy Carney, Calbright FA
  • Justin Bell, Kern CCD CCA
  • Wonderful Nancy Allah, South Orange County CCD FA
  • David Rentz, Chaffey College FA
  • Megan Igo, Merced College FA
  • Adam Fong, Merced College FA
  • Karen Beck, Rio Hondo College FA

FOR NEW & POTENTIAL LEADERS

Building Strong Locals

Co-Coordinators – Lorraine Slattery & Tracy Redden

CTA Support Staff – Frank Oppedisano

Developing Chapter Leaders

The Academy for Building Strong Locals focuses on strengthening local chapters with the primary goal of educating members to effectively serve at the local chapter level.

  • Approximately 20 members from local CCA/CTA chapters.
  • BSL members learn:
    • The history of unionism and its value in today’s work environments.
    • The importance of developing chapter members.
    • The rights and responsibilities of chapters and leadership.
  • Initially funded by a grant from NEA, BSL is now self-funded by CCA.
NEXT BSL CLASS: 2025
BSL APPLICATION

2023 BSL Graduates

  • David Rentz – Chaffey CFA
  • Sierra Moussatche – Coast CCA
  • Timothy Linehan – Sequoias TA
  • Kirk Thomsen – Siskiyous CHEA
  • Suzanne Engelhardt – Long Beach CCFA
  • Adam Fong, Megan Igo, & Dean Caivano – Merced CFA
  • Marina McLaughlin & Kim-Leiloni Nyguyen – Mt. San Antonio CFA
  • Kevin Leeds – FA Rancho Santiago CCD
  • Karen Beck – Rio Hondo CFA
  • Sam Abbas & Wonderful Nancy Allah – South Orange CCDFA
  • Dennis Sandoval & Amber Wallick – San Bernardino CCDTA

What Academy Participants Say—

“BSL helped me understand how CCA, CTA, and NEA work together to support our local and feel more confident about my role in my local.”

—Megan Igo, BSL, Merced