Classified Spotlight - Ann Forlenza - Northern Section

Ann Forlenza

“Student Success Coordinator” does not even begin to define the immense role that Ann Forlenza plays at Davis Adult and Community Education. As a small adult school, every employee has to wear many hats and in Ann’s case, these hats include being the testing coordinator, data manager, transition navigator, and right-hand woman to the principal in all things. It would not be an exaggeration to say that, without Ann, the adult school would not function.

Ann found her way to the adult school through a long and winding path, like many of our adult school students. She returned to school later in life and completed her Bachelor’s degree around the same time that her daughter graduated from high school. Her own story of “going back to school” serves as an inspiration to her students, many of which are raising children of their own and managing complicated lives and jobs while trying to also complete their education.

Ann started working for the adult school in the Spring of 2021. She immediately demonstrated her tenacity and ability to learn on the fly since she had to start in her position while the entire school staff was still 100% remote, which meant that she had to receive all her training for the position over Zoom. She rose to the task with enthusiasm and a sincere desire to learn – a trait which she also models for our students in her position as Student Success Coordinator.

Since then, Ann has become an invaluable member of the Davis Adult team. Her creativity and ability to connect with students makes her the perfect person for her position. In the Fall of 2021, the adult school had its first official WASC accreditation visit, and Ann was instrumental in producing all of the data and reports that were needed for the report and was an excellent thought partner for the principal in preparing for the visit. Ann became a CCAE member in the Spring of 2022, continues to be an important member of the Davis Adult and Community Education family, and is a great advocate for adult education.

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