Strong Workforce legislation created the K12 Pathway Coordinator positions to support vital connections between the K–12 sector and community colleges in order to strengthen Career Tech Ed (CTE) programs and pathways that align with regional workforce needs. The Alliance for Education hosts five of the nine K12 Pathway Coordinators in the Inland Empire. They are assigned to each community college district’s service area, to work with the community colleges and the K-12 LEAs providing technical assistance as needed to strengthen and expand CTE programs, and to be go-to resources for K-12 Strong Workforce and the Career Technical Education Incentive grants.
Christy Bong
Service Area: Copper Mountain College
Proud to Serve: Morongo USD
Karen Goss
Service Area: Chaffey College District
Proud to Serve: Chino Valley USD; Chaffey Join Union HSD; Fontana USD; Upland USD; Mt Baldy; Ontario Montclair USD; Baldy View ROP
Carrie O’Neal
Service Area: Barstow College District
Proud to Serve: Barstow USD; Baker USD; Lucerne Valley USD; Silver Valley USD; Trona USD
Deidra Puentes
Service Area: San Bernardino Community College District
Proud to Serve: Bear Valley USD; Colton Joint USD; CRY-ROP; Redlands USD; Rialto USD; Rim of the World USD; San Bernardino City USD; San Bernardino ROP; Yucaipa Calimesa USD
Jessica Swift
Service Area: Victor Valley Community College District
Proud to Serve: Apple Valley USD; Hesperia USD; Lucerne Valley USD; Snowline JUSD; Victor Valley High SD
Serve as a point of contact for and work with high school and community college CTE programs, Regional Directors for Employer Engagement, the Centers of Excellence and other workforce development stakeholders to effectively and efficiently engage employers and industry representatives with the intent of building and strengthening K14 pathways that respond to industry needs and facilitating industry connections with K–14 career technical education programs.
Provide technical assistance to inform the development and implementation of CTE curriculum. Support faculty collaboration to ensure sequential CTE courses align with regional post-secondary pathways.
Facilitate the use of data to identify existing pathways and gaps among K12 and community colleges and help make recommendations for furthering pathway development.
Inform and support the development and implementation of college and career exploration. Liaise with LEAs to ensure college and career exploration are embedded within CTE courses.
Support postsecondary transitions and completion. Encourage and facilitate the intersegmental work between LEAs and Community Colleges.
Provide technical assistance to inform the development of work-based learning opportunities.