WLAC TP Goals 2025 | Jennifer K Penton

West Los Angeles College
Tenure Track Portfolio

Goals:

Environment Pack Unreal Engine to Adobe Premiere with added Music Export Demo

Please see the following:

Goals for 2024 Tenure Review, leading into 2025:

Goal:
Finish obtaining approval for the following Certificates of Achievement and their classes:
- Animation
- VFX
- Virtual Production stackable Mini Certificate, requiring FLM PRD 200, 201, 202, and 203.
Status:
- Animation: In process, job prospects are promising.
- VFX: Folded into Virtual Production.
- Virtual Production: In process, meeting with Kimberly and Laura.
Goal: Complete hiring of Brian Pohl, Evan Cervantes, and Jeanette Moreno King and hire other instructors as needed for all classes.
Status: Jeanette Moreno King successfully hired, co-teaching FLM PRD 201, 202, and 207 with me and inspiring students.
Goal: Write another Program Review and / or take any other necessary steps in order to purchase equipment for Virtual Production per affordable quotes that have been submitted, including motion capture suits.
Status: Completed. Upon administrative approval, we will acquire necessary equipment.

Goal: Continue to expand the above pathways into robust, programs that serve our community well and lead to excellent careers for our students.
Status: In process.
Goal: Continue working on all goals above, for example, secure Amazon Studios Virtual Production Volume at Stage 15 as our training facility and gain knowledge, expertise and training from Phil Galler from Lux Machina.
Status: Ken Nakada finally opened Amazon Stage 15 to us twice, thanks to Eric Rigney. We have taken students on field trips to Amazon Studios and their sound studio twice, and we have taken students to many studios including Mo-Sys, Lux Machina, Pixomondo at Sony Studios, and many more locations, see self evaluation.

Goal: Ensure that all classes supporting the above certificates of achievement are up and running.
Status: FLM PRD 200, 201, 202, 203, and 207 have been running well, and students are benefitting greatly from the guidance of Jeanette Moreno King, Eric Rigney, and me. I am looking to offer FLM PRD 214 in Spring, 2026.

Goal: Expand editing opportunities for students through West Los Angeles College with Laura Guichard and Kimberly Manner, including opportunities using AVID Media Composer, Adobe Premiere, and DaVinci Resolve.
Status: I participated in the Editing Advisory Board and through Eric Rigney's connections, brought veteran assistant editor Dana Mulligan to our meeting. I have recommended that we teach an AVID Media Composer night course, and that we add DaVinci Resolve to our editing offerings. Thanks to Imhotep, we are creating pathways for editors through Lauri Brown of Creative Coalition of Color.

Goal: Assist students to navigate careers in entertainment and gaming with regard to AI and a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
Status: I am currently reaching out to AI entertainment experts to ensure that our students are well informed about their career prospects and how to harness AI.

Goal: Continue to gain knowledge, expertise and training from top experts in these fields.
Status: Through my own efforts and those of my colleagues, I have connected with many experts in the Virtual Production and Animation fields. Please see my Self Evaluation.
Goal: Attend SIGGRAPH, Vancouver, Canada.
Status: I have made students aware that SIGGRAPH exists, helped students with SIGGRAPH student volunteer applications, and assisted student Joseph Albano to go to SIGGRAPH, Vancouver (photo), Ian?: See Self Evaluation. ALSO went to NAB in Las Vegas! See Self Evaluation.
Goal: Continue to ensure that our department is physically and mentally healthy, collaborative, and non-toxic, and that we enjoy working together, so that we can accomplish much more as a team.
Status: Continue to work with department colleagues.
Goal: Create a FLM PRD Film Showcase, per suggestion by Jim Limbaugh, possibly piggybacking on the Poster Showcase.
Status: Collaborated with Student Showcase team to successfully create a FLM PRD Film Showcase, per Jim Limbaugh suggestion. See self-evaluation:
Goal: Continue to develop relationships and programs through committees and other means to grow WLAC as a vibrant, fun college.
Status: In addition to Inaugural Film Festival, collaborated with Michelle Long-Coffee and Imhotep Coleman to act in new Mascot video. Attended Naming of Diane Watson Sound Stage and groundbreaking for Facilities.

Goals for 2025 Tenure Review, leading into 2026:

Together with other Film Production department faculty, assist Laura Guichard with developing a new identity for Film Production department.
Continue to develop and recruit students for Certificate of Achievement in Virtual Production.
Plan, promote, and execute the 2026 Poster Showcase & Film Festival.
Continually improve my Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI).
Continually improve the Accessibility of my Canvas Shells.
Continue to grade in a timely manner.
Once Virtual Production Certificates are running smoothly, continue to develop a Certificate of Achievement in Animation.
Continue to develop strong relationships with faculty, administration, and classified staff to build vibrant, fun atmosphere at West Los Angeles College and LACCD.
Take students on field trip to SIGGRAPH Los Angeles 2026.
Successfully complete the Climate Across the Curriculum Initiative and help the CA Center for Climate Change Education with their Climate Arts Festival this Spring. Just for fun, please turn on the sound and enjoy the video below by French Musician and animal activist, Loris “Plumes” Assadian:

2025 Goals