Your Monthly Update for October 2024 | |
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Ventura College, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I want to take a moment to highlight the profound significance of Ventura College's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). This designation is much more than a title; it represents our deep commitment to serving the needs of our Hispanic and Latinx students, who make up 66% of our student body. It underscores our responsibility to ensure their success—both academically and personally—by fostering a supportive, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environment.
As an HSI, Ventura College has been awarded over $8 million in Title V grants, which have been instrumental in expanding academic programs and student support services, both on our main campus and at the VC East Campus. These initiatives are carried out with intention and purpose, ensuring that every effort we make is designed to meet the unique needs of our Latinx students. Whether it’s enhancing tutoring and mentorship programs or developing pathways to improve retention and completion rates, we are using these resources to remove barriers and empower our students to succeed.
One such initiative is the ESCALA Training in San Jose, supported by the Ventura College Project PORT Grant. The ESCALA Retreat, "Moving Toward Servingness," was a transformative experience for teams from HSIs, including an 18-member Ventura College team—the largest group in attendance. The retreat focused on addressing how institutional practices rooted in historical white culture can create disparities for Latinx students. Through collaborative discussions and team-building activities, participants explored strategies for fostering a more inclusive environment. Our team, which included students, faculty, classified professionals, and administrators, identified key institutional assets, challenges, and opportunities to enhance Latinx student experiences and academic success. The retreat culminated in the development of action plans for institutional transformation, personal growth, and accountability measures, all of which will drive meaningful change at Ventura College.
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This commitment to serving our students is especially important as Ventura County experiences a demographic shift reflected in our student population. As the Latinx community continues to grow, so too does its impact on the region’s economic and social landscape. By preparing our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the workforce, we are not only supporting their personal and academic growth but also contributing to the economic vitality of Ventura County. Our graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of local industries, strengthen the economy, and enrich the community as a whole.
Our goal is clear: to not only provide access to education but to create an environment where Latinx students excel at every level, raising retention and completion rates in alignment with our mission. This progress reflects the broader national conversation around equity in higher education, and Ventura College is proud to be a leader in these efforts, particularly during this month of celebration and recognition of Hispanic contributions and culture.
~ Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib
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Nice Work, First Year Experience!
FYE has been busy with our current cohort of more than 500 students! Students are participating and engaged - meeting with counselors, attending professor office hours, workshops and other events. Recently FYE hosted workshops on Career & Major Exploration, Financial Basics, VC Resources, and Canvas/Portal Tips (shout out to Sharon Oxford for her collaboration and expertise!).
Check out what some of our students are saying about their experience at these events!
“The FYE workshops helped me get an idea of what I can do with my major. It also helped me learn about myself, what I’m really interested in, and the type of jobs I might actually enjoy."
“Attending office hours with Professor Ryan has helped me immensely. She goes over the material, gives detailed explanations, and provides excellent examples to help me understand the material.”
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Principals Learn About Partnerships with VC
On Tuesday, September 17, the Ventura College Outreach team welcomed 23 principals and vice principals from local high schools to a Principals Breakfast to discuss upcoming events and key updates. The meeting focused on strengthening partnerships with K-12 leaders and sharing strategies to enhance the transition for students from high school to college, ensuring a smoother and more successful journey into higher education.
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Our first Presidents' Panel event, held on September 30, was well attended with staff and students joining in person and on Zoom. Our four campus presidents, Classified Senate President, Michael Haydon, Ventura College President, Claudia Lourido-Habib, Academic Senate President, Rachel Johnson, and Associated Students President, Marcos Garcia each presented, sharing their goals relating to Participatory Governance, Increasing Clarity in Communication, and Dialogue and Collegiality.
In a Q&A session, the group answered questions regarding Program Review, Accessibility, Campus Communication and more. Dr. Lourido-Habib also announced a new challenge for fostering kindness, unity and good will on campus. More information about the challenge to come!
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VC Celebrates HSI Week
Ventura College celebrated National HSI Week, September 9-15. Students explored topics such as the experiences of queer students in STEM, mental health, grad school, and best practices for succeeding in math courses, culminating in a dinner with the deans.
To wrap up the week, Project S:AIL in STEM sponsored the 3rd Annual HSI Summit. Keynote speaker Adriana Alejandre, LMFT delivered an insightful presentation on the mental health impact of change on staff and faculty at HSI's. The day included sessions on Equity Data and Transforming VC for Equity & Justice-Care. Thanks to Jaime Vega for opening the event with a blessing and land acknowledgement.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of these events!
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Student Housing Project Update
Ventura College will begin the design phase of the Student Housing project by hosting 2 rounds of Charettes. We are working on a 5-month timeline for the design process, starting in October. The first round of Charettes are scheduled for October 16 and 17 with the second round tentatively scheduled for November 13 and 14. We also plan to attend the College Area Community Council meeting on October 23. Stay tuned for times and locations for these events. All employees and students are welcome to attend!
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VC Foundation Scholarship Updates
The Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the Paramedic, Agriculture, Diesel Mechanics, Advanced Manufacturing, Applied Industrial Technology, and Veterinary Technology programs. The deadline is November 29. The General Scholarship Application will open October 1 and will close January 20, 2025. For more information or to volunteer to review scholarship applications, contact micsin_martinez1@vcccd.edu
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October 10 & 11: Self Assigned FLEX Days
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October 14: UndocuAdvocate Training | 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in ASVC Meeting Room
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October 14 - 16: Undocumented Student Action Week Events
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November 13: World Kindness Day | Kindness Relay Culminating Event
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November 19: Employee Thanksgiving Gathering
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December 5: Holiday Gathering
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Professional Development Opportunities: Click the button below for details
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Thursday, October 10 | 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.| Guthrie Hall
- Preschool to Prison Pipeline: Documentary followed by Q&A
- Moving Across: Pay Scale Movement & Longevity
- Navigating Student Drops: Challenges, Impacts, and Outcomes
- New Faculty Gathering
- Keenan SafeCollege Online Training
Friday, October 11 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Guthrie Hall
- Humanized Online Teaching: Intentionally Designed to Support Students
- Queering Ventura College: Creating an Inclusive Campus for LGBTQ+ Students
- Keenan SafeCollege Online Training
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Join Dr. Emilie Mitchell of the California Community College Summit for an informative training on the differences between sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Explore the interconnected fight for Queer and Trans liberation and racial justice. Learn about LGBTQ+ student experiences on our campuses and how these experiences affect course success and retention.
Friday, October 11 | 12:30 p.m. - 2 p.m. | Zoom
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Performing Arts Events This Month!
Sunday in the Park with George, Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking musical, was inspired by the painter Georges Seurat’s iconic painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." This stunning work delves into the struggles and triumphs of the artist, blending Sondheim’s unforgettable music with a poignant exploration of art, love, and legacy.
October 10 - 13 | VC Performing Arts Center
By Love be Bound, conducted by Ashley Walters, is a lively and dramatic overture from Ruslan and Lyudmila and introduces themes from Mikhail Glinka's celebrated opera. Franz Schubert's Symphony No. 9 in C major, commonly known as "The Great," is an expansive work noted for its structure and lyrical melodies.
October 26 | 3 p.m. | VC Performing Arts Center
VC Chamber Music (Ovanes Arakelyan & Nick Akdag, directors) presents: A Chain of Gold. This will be a unique and varied program with music from the baroque to our modern era performed by Ventura College's talented chamber music students. One performance only!
October 27 | 3 p.m. | VC Performing Arts Center
| You are invited to attend Undocumented Student Action Week events on October 14 - 16 at Ventura College and VC East Campus. The week starts with UndocuAdvocate Training sessions on Monday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the ASVC Meeting Room. RSVP for lunch. Additional activities include guest speaker Ovi Vasquez who will also conduct student-focused workshops. The VC Foundation will hold a Scholarship workshop and lunch for students. There will be a Community Resource Fair, Art Activities, STEM Club Fair and Activities and we'll wrap up the festivities with a movie night featuring a screening of "A Million Miles Away". Students from east campus will have the opportunity to catch a free shuttle from VCEC to VC for all events on Wednesday. Click the link below to see a full list of events. Hope to see you there! | |
Town Hall Gathering in Santa Paula
Join us for dinner and a conversation about enhancing access and support for undocumented students in Ventura County. Special Guests Include VC President Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib, UFW Legal Assistance, Mexican Consulate Representative: Cónsul Titular de México en Oxnard, Ricardo Santana Velázquez, and other distinguished county leaders.
Tuesday, October 15 | 5:30 p.m. – Fajita Dinner | 6 p.m. – Panel Discussion | VCEC
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Join us for two photographic exhibitions at our VC Art Galleries. "Running Alongside" is a group exhibition that displays ways in which artists work with traditional and non-traditional photography. "Tireless City" is a solo exhibition by former VC photography student, Charles Levin.
Reception: Thursday, October 17 | 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Exhibition Runs Oct. 17 - Nov. 14
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Support VC Pirate Athletics!
Upcoming Home Athletic Events:
Wednesday, October 9 | Men's Waterpolo vs Cuesta 2 p.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Wednesday, October 9 | Women's Waterpolo vs Cuesta 3:45 p.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Wednesday, October 9 | Women's Volleyball vs LA Mission 6 p.m. | Athletic Event Center
Friday, October 11 | Women's Waterpolo vs Sierra 9:15 a.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Friday, October 11 | Women's Waterpolo vs Fullerton 5 p.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Friday, October 11 | Women's Soccer vs Allan Hancock 5:30 p.m. | Athletic Event Center
Saturday, October 12 | Women's Waterpolo vs Modesto 3:30 p.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Saturday, October 12 | Women's Waterpolo vs Pasadena City 6 p.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Wednesday, October 16 | Women's Volleyball vs Allan Hancock 6 p.m. | Athletic Event Center
Thursday, October 17 | Women's Soccer vs Santa Barbara 7 p.m. | Athletic Event Center
Saturday, October 19 | Football vs Moorpark 6 p.m. | Sportsplex
ASVC Night - Night of Champions Honoring 1984 Pirate Football
Tuesday, October 22 | Women's Soccer vs Oxnard 6:30 p.m. | Athletic Event Center
Wednesday, October 23 | Women's Waterpolo vs Santa Barbara 2 p.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Friday, October 25 | Women's Volleyball vs Cuesta 6 p.m. | Athletic Event Center
Saturday, October 26 | Football vs Antelope Valley 6 p.m. | Sportsplex | First Responders' Night
Wednesday, October 30 | Women's Waterpolo vs Citrus 3:30 p.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Wednesday, October 30 | Men's Waterpolo vs Citrus 3:45 p.m. | Ventura Aquatics Center
Thursday, October 31 | Men's Basketball vs San Diego Miramar 6 p.m. | Athletic Event Center
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