Grief is not something you can read about in a book and know what it really means. You can only really describe it once you've experienced it. Life will hit us with unexpected pain – and grief might look different each time.
Dr. Keith Curry
In my doctoral dissertation, I explored the metaphorical demise of (what was then called) Compton Community College through the revocation of its accreditation in 2006 and how that death destabilized our institution and our community.
Using Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's framework, I studied the stages of grief we collectively experienced, sometimes lingering in different areas of the spectrum longer than others. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.
In recent weeks, three of our beloved Compton College employees have passed away, and it has been an incredibly emotional time on our campus. As a leader, one of my responsibilities is to keep the college community informed – even when the news isn't what people want to hear about. I shared the following in my weekly President/CEO Message last week:
Earlier this week, I shared the sad news of the passing of Jeniqua Janis, program technician in the CalWORKs Department. Last week, I was informed that Keith Porter, a former Compton Community College student, was killed by an off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Northridge, California. And today, I learned of the passing of our assistant football coach, Steve Ruedaflores. Experiencing so many losses in such a short time reminds us how quickly life can change and how important it is to value the moments we share.
In times like these, I find myself reflecting not only on the individuals we have lost but also on how we show up for each other. Our work is demanding, and the pressure we face can sometimes lead to conflict. Even so, we have a responsibility to approach those moments with civility and respect. Tomorrow is not promised, and as a campus community, we are united by a shared purpose: supporting our students and this community.
