Dear Dr. Murillo, I am pleased to be writing to you today to ask for your help in recognizing Margaret Prothero. Throughout 2021, my organization, College Futures Foundation, issued a call for California community colleges to nominate adaptive and equity-focused holistic student support leaders. Our aim was to elevate these leaders and learn from their mindsets and most effective practices. Altogether, 46 leaders were recognized across the state for their incredible commitment to our students.  All 46 honorees were recognized at recent convenings and are highlighted in the new publication, Celebrating Exemplary Student Support Leaders: Stories and Practical Advice from California Community College Faculty and Staff. The report, funded by College Futures and authored by The Ada Center, is based on interviews with the honorees and their nominators. It captures ideas and candid perspectives about the unvarnished, "messy” details of implementing holistic student support—and the leaders who found a way to form a constellation of hope and care for students in profoundly challenging times. Student interviews also showcased how much this work—and the people who lead it—truly matter. As one student shared, “I would tell [the student support leaders]: You probably don’t even know how much it means to us students. To have someone who cares…it’s like a lifeline when everything else feels like chaos.”  We invite you to explore these stories and hope these voices offer wisdom and insight as you head into the new year.  Additionally, we know that the end of the calendar year often brings with it a moment to reflect and to offer our gratitude to those who have made an impact. While we have celebrated these honorees as a group, we encourage you to consider reaching out to your institution’s honoree(s) to offer your congratulations and support as well. Some colleges have chosen to take this opportunity to elevate their honoree(s) through campus communications channels. Should you be interested in doing this as well, we have the following resources (link) that you may share with your communications team.  It has been a privilege for us to learn from the outstanding leaders at Santa Barbara City College. Thank you for fostering their talent and continued growth—and thank you for all that you do on behalf of California community college students.  We wish you the best over this holiday season and look forward to continuing our work together in the new year. Sincerely, Eloy Ortiz Oakley President & CEO College Futures Foundation College Futures Foundation | More graduates for a thriving California 1999 Harrison St, Suite 1900, Oakland, CA 94612 CollegeFutures.org | Follow us on Twitter