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Coastline College's ECHO Conference (Equity-Centered Holistic Outcomes in Education), formerly known as the Teaching for Equity Symposium, was a great success, bringing together educators, students, and community leaders from across California. The event, held March 6 at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, focused on collaboration, dialogue, and advancing equity in education. This year’s theme, “Rooted in Hope, Growing in Kinship: Advancing Equity, Empowerment, and Belonging,” invited participants to explore how equity-minded practices can foster community, opportunity, and transformation.
"I'm so happy to be here at ECHO. To be among like-minded folks—to talk about the needs of our students and help them succeed—means everything to me," said Chancellor Yamamura of the Coast Community College District.
Colleges and universities from across the state attended, including California State University, Fresno; California State University, Long Beach; Bakersfield College; Santa Monica College; Pasadena City College; Golden West College; and Orange Coast College. Their presence underscored the conference’s growing role as a platform for higher education institutions to share ideas and strengthen partnerships focused on inclusion and student success.
"I think it's such an exciting moment for our district and Coastline College to host this conference because it brings us together to truly focus on what matters in our district: closing equity gaps for our students and making sure they succeed. When students reach a campus, they should know they matter, that they're valued, and that we're focused on their success," said Angelica Suarez, President of Orange Coast College.
Sessions throughout the day reflected the conference’s four focus areas: Inclusive Instruction & Holistic Student Support; Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Innovations; Rising Scholars & Justice-Impacted Education; and Classified Professionals as Equity Leaders. Faculty, staff, students, administrators, and community partners shared strategies and proposals aimed at advancing equity, empowerment, and belonging across educational environments.
A highlight of the event was featured keynote speaker Shirley Torres, Chief Executive Officer for Homeboy Industries, the largest gang-intervention program in the United States. Each year, Homeboy Industries serves approximately 12,000 former gang members and high-risk youth in Los Angeles, a city with more than 80,000 known gang members. In her keynote, Torres echoed Father Greg Boyle’s teachings on unconditional love, kinship, and the inherent goodness of every person. She shared how the organization supports individuals returning from state and federal prisons, county jails, and juvenile detention facilities with mentorship, resources, and pathways to stability and opportunity.
The conference also featured an engaging session with Pulitzer Prize–winning author and USC English faculty member Viet Thanh Nguyen. In a spirited Q&A moderated by Coastline Math professor Hao Nhien Vu, Nguyen discussed a central theme in his life and writing: learning the rules in order to break them. He explored how being part of an institution can institutionalize us, warning against conformity.
“We need to inspire our students to learn the rules but then break them as well,” Nguyen said.
Breakout sessions offered attendees hands-on opportunities to explore current topics in teaching and learning. One session in particular, “People vs. the Algorithm: A Mock Trial on AI, Ethics, and Educational Equity,” focused on the use of AI in education, presenting it in an engaging and innovative way. Attendees remarked that they had never seen AI presented like this before, highlighting the conference’s commitment to interactive, forward-thinking learning experiences.
In an emotional and unprecedented live Zoom panel session titled “Building Hope, Building Futures: Equity Lessons from Hope Scholars,” organized and moderated by Coastline College alumna Adriana De La Rosa, now a professional expert for the Coastline College Hope Scholars program, incarcerated students connected directly with attendees and shared their vulnerabilities. Broadcasting live from a California correctional facility, the session provided rare access to students balancing academic demands with the emotional realities of incarceration.
“That’s the first time we’ve ever seen a panel where they were able to Zoom in students. I was crying — yeah, we were crying,” commented Que Dang and Cindy Phu from Pasadena City College.
Beyond the breakout sessions and panel discussions, and energized by Coastline’s resident DJ Danny Pittaway, the ECHO Conference offered abundant opportunities for networking and collaboration. Attendees exchanged innovative ideas, engaged in inclusive thinking, and enjoyed a generous buffet spread. Students, faculty, and administrators connected, shared strategies, and explored ways their institutions could work together to strengthen support systems for students and communities.
The day concluded with the Equity Leadership Awards and a book signing. Attendees left the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa inspired, with a renewed commitment to inclusive education, equity-minded practice, and community support. The ECHO Conference served as a powerful reminder that when institutions come together with purpose, hope, and kinship, meaningful change is possible.
About Coastline College
Coastline College, a leader in distance learning and innovative education, is committed to providing accessible and flexible learning opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. With a focus on student success, workforce development, academic excellence, and innovative programs like a Competency-Based Education Associate in Management Degree, Coastline College remains dedicated to providing accessible, flexible learning opportunities that put students first.
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