Counting on Eddie Faculty member elected west vice president of AMATYC

EDUARDO GARCIA Reporter

@egarcia_023

Chair of Mathematics

Edouard “Eddie”

Tchertchian was recently elected to represent all community colleges in California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah as west vice president of the AMATYC.

The American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) is a nationwide organization dedicated to the improvement of mathematics instruction in two-year colleges.

“It's a great way to represent Pierce College and southern California, but it's a little wider than just us,” Tchertchian said. “We have to represent all these schools. We have 115 community colleges in California alone.”

Dean of Math and Sciences

Donna-Mae Villanueva said Tchertchian is a campus leader who cares about student success.

“When he started at Pierce College, he was not just a fulltime math faculty,” Villanueva said. “He also applied and became our instructional math specialist working very closely with our center for academic success, and he heads the tutoring program for all the math tutors.”

According to Math professor Sam Pearsall, Tchertchian has excellent leadership qualities.

“I've been involved in education for about 33 years; the middle school, secondary school and now college level,” Pearsall said. “In all my years...he's one of the best that I've worked with.”

Tchertchian will be sworn in on January 1, 2020. Tchertchian explained that he has many plans for the department.

“My goal is to make sure that the voice of the faculty in those regions is heard when it comes to certain issues of placements, removing equity gaps, improving math education overall issues that are important to math teachers,” Tchertchian said.

Tchertchian also talked about the role of technology in mathematics.

“We’re going through an interesting period of time because there are so many changes with technology, so many changes with placement, relevance of mathematics and how they’re applied to other fields,”

Tchertchian said. “One good example I can give is the growth of biostatistics or all these areas that could essentially combine aspects of mathematics with.”

AMATYC has one vice president for each of its regions.

Tchertchian said the organization’s board is comprised of the nine vice presidents, the president and the president-elect.

Tchertchian explained that the role of AMATYC vice presidents is to bridge the gap between the state and national bodies.

“Work with your constituents in the region and bring up any relevant issues that the region has towards math education,”

[from Enrollment on front]

People who didn’t verbally suggest their ideas could also write down their thoughts on an index card and place it in a suggestion box.

Gavarra-Oh explained that this is an important conversation to have.

“It is great to hear the ideas coming from all constituents, faculty, staff, administration and the students, because sometimes we make these decisions in silos and it is great to see different perspectives on attacking these issues,” GavarraOh said.

Salter said that she believes this event will help members of the Pierce campus get more involved.

“I think a lot of the time we are really quick to say ‘oh it is a problem in that office’ or ‘oh it is the student’s problem,’ when there are things personally that I could change or do to make a difference,” Salter said. “I think today’s event helped people see that they have a role and they can actually do something.” mblais.roundupnews@gmail.com

Among the ideas suggested were simplifying the enrollment process, and promoting attendance at sports games and theater productions. Montevirgen said that he is looking forward to hearing more ideas about what Pierce can do to try and solve these issues.

Brahma Blotter

These incidents were reported between 10/27 - 11/1

10/28 11:19 a.m.

•Student Incident

Female student reports being followed around campus by a male student. A campus incident report was written.

10/28 12:57 p.m.

•Warned and Advised

Older male student smoking and urinating in the Botanical Garden. A campus incident report was written.

Tchertchian said. “So essentially I'm the liaison between those states and the national body, and I get to represent them on the board.”

Tchertchian ran unopposed and won because the leadership did not select anyone else to be on the ballot.

“That was a great honor,” Tchertchian said. “And, of course, anyone who is still able to run is like a write-in. It was great to get that phone call and I'm very excited for it.” egarcia.roundupnews@gmail.com

10/29 10:56 a.m.

•Student Incident

Student states he is recieving harassing emails. Report taken.

Pierce College Sheriff’s Station

General Information:

(818) 719 - 6450

Emergency: (818) 710 - 4311

Reported by: Jackson Hayano

Vivan Yee , Associated Students Organization (ASO) President, stands in the ASO building at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., on Nov. 4, 2019.

[From Vivian on Front Page]

Yee says she felt like her age would make her seem less approachable and was anxious when she first attended Pierce.

“I was so nervous,” Yee said. “Like the night before, I was like looking through my clothes for something that would make me look older. And then in my mind, I was thinking, how do I make myself act older”

Aside from balancing her position as ASO President and being a full-time student, Yee is also a working actress, a passion she has followed since she four years old and professionally began at eight.

“I was in ‘Boss Baby’ as Staci, Alec Baldwin’s assistant, and it was so humbling,” Yee said. I am also a series regular on Vampurina.”

Yee likes her new job as President, she mostly enjoys interacting with students.

“Just being able to talk to students and faculty and bringing a sense of openness,” Yee said. “I really want students to know that they can always come by if they have any issues, I am always here to listen.”

Stephanie Lopez, vice president for ASO said Yee brings new energy to the committee.

“With Vivian, it just seems like it’s like a new environment,” Lopez said. “It’s like we came out of a dark space and it’s a lot brighter”.

Lopez said the committee is ready to support Yee every step of the way and through any growing pains.

“We’re a family here and we need to support each other,” said Lopez. Whether it has to do with ASO or anything, we are here to support each other. No one’s alone in this situation.”

Brandon Le, ASO treasurer said that a person’s age doesn’t outweigh their abilities to do a job.

“I don’t necessarily define a person by their age because when you judge a person by the age, you kind of tend to have a preconceived notion.”

Alexis Montevirgen, Pierce college president said we shouldn’t pay attention to her age but her drive in helping the Pierce community.

“ Knowing and having been in my own footsteps and understanding that age simply is not necessarily the best indicator of one’s experience of one’s preparedness,” Montevirgen said. “I think for me, I wouldn’t put too much attention on the fact that she’s only 13. I would put more interest in the fact that at such a young age she’s already interested in and committed to this campus, and how we could help develop her leadership skills along with the rest of the board.”

Juan Carlos Astorga, ASO advisor said he believes she will be a great leader.

“I think that she is wise beyond her years, dedicated and genuine.

I anticipate that her leadership is going to shine really well.” Astorga said.

Yee said she was grateful to have such a supportive community around her.

“I think the people around you are such a big influence,” Yee said. If you have a really great support group, it’s going to help you so much. And that’s definitely what helped me a lot” aestrada.roundupnews@gmail.com