This lecture, an autobiographical excursion through lifespan developmental theory, is a reflection on Betty’s life as player, embedded in the context of Erik and Joan Erikson’s stages of human development. What can we learn from each other’s stories, shared in the process of theory-building — constructing schema that enable us to find order in past, present and future?

I have exciting news to report: the era of Show Cause is over! In a letter received today from the Western Association of Colleges and Universities (WASC), we learned that our accreditation has been affirmed and will carry a status of a healthy institution that is moving in the right direction to meet standards of quality in governance, academics, data collection, and more.

I have the honor to inform you that our work over the past eight months has paid off. Pacific Oak College’s accreditation has been affirmed; the era of Show Cause is over. If that wasn’t enough good news, the substantive change request also has been approved, which will clear the way for us to official join TCS ES and preserve POC’s heritage for years to come.

On Wednesday, February 17, representatives from Pacific Oaks College and our affiliated institution, The Chicago School Educational System, sat with WASC’s Commission (our accrediting agency) to answer their questions about our accreditation status and the proposed change of control. The Commission was interested in our progress since the site visit, our plans for the future, and the current campus climate.

Dear Pacific Oaks Students:
We are happy to announce the creation of Pacific Oaks College Student Email Accounts. At the end of next week, you should receive a letter sent to your address listed in WebAdvisor, with your username and password. All departments on campus will be using your Pacific Oaks email address exclusively to communicate [...]

We have arrived at the time of year when we award our endowed scholarships and gifts. If you are, or have been, enrolled in the 09-10 academic year and fall within the qualification parameters for awarding, we will be considering you as an applicant for these funds.

An educator for more than 25 years, Dr. Carter’s term as permanent president and CEO begins today. She originally joined POEC in September 2009 as acting president and vice president of academic affairs.

I would like to express my gratitude to Pacific Oaks Education Corporation’s Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, and our affiliates from the TCS Education System, who confirmed their trust in my leadership at this pivotal time. I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to support excellence in higher education.

I am honored to be the first to formally announce that the Board of Trustees has unanimously elected Dr. Cindy Carter to serve as the seventh president of Pacific Oaks College and CEO of Pacific Oaks Education Corporation (POEC), which includes The Children’s School.

December 21 is known as the Winter Solstice, or Midwinter. It is also referred to as the year’s shortest day, when the sun is lowest in the sky, even at mid-day. The inherent promise in the Winter Solstice is the beginning of a reversal, when the days begin to lengthen and the darkness decreases.