Your Monthly Update for November 2024

Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate World Kindness Day, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. It was inspiring to see so many of our colleagues gathered with a shared purpose in mind. Kindness Day calls us all to reflect on the power of kindness, connection, and the impact we have on one another. Our community here at Ventura College is built on a foundation of support, respect, and a shared commitment to lift each other up.

Kindness isn’t just about a single act. It’s a spirit, a choice, a way of life. It’s woven into our words, our actions, and how we show up for one another. As we celebrated this day of unity, —faculty, staff, administrators, and students, demonstrated their dedication, warmth, and care for each other. This is what makes Ventura College so much more than a place to learn and work. Together, we are creating an environment where everyone is valued and where all can thrive.

This year, World Kindness Day takes on an even deeper significance for us. The recent election results may bring feelings of uncertainty for some of our students and their families, affecting their status, livelihoods, and sense of security. Furthermore, the Mountain fires here in Ventura County have shaken our sense of safety and impacted the lives of many in our community. These events remind us of how deeply connected we are and how vital our kindness, compassion, and support are to those around us. Let us stand together, extending a hand to anyone who may be facing these challenges, and let our actions speak of our solidarity and empathy.

I’d also like to extend a special thank you to the presidents of our Academic Senate, Classified Senate, and our Student Government for embracing the spirit of today’s celebration. Through their leadership, we’ve been able to share heartfelt messages of gratitude and goodwill across campus, building meaningful connections and strengthening the fabric of our community and setting an inspiring example for us all.

We culminated our celebration by planting an olive tree, a universal symbol of peace. This olive tree will serve as a lasting reminder of the commitment we made to each other during our celebration and every day. Just as trees grow strong and tall with time, patience and care, our campus community thrives with each act of kindness, every show of support, and each commitment to understanding. May this tree stand as a symbol of our unity, a testament to the kindness and respect we share, and a promise that we will continue to nurture and grow this special community.

Let us go forward with open hearts, continuing to build a place of peace, inclusion, and kindness.

~ Dr. Claudia Lourido-Habib

On November 13, staff and students came together to celebrate World Kindness Day. An olive tree was planted as a living reminder to spread compassion and positivity, and words of kindness were shared to inspire our community.

Student Housing Project Update

The Ventura College Student Housing Project had a busy October. The College held its first two days of design workshops with our architecture firms, Mithun and RNT, on October 16 and 17. This design workshop was heavily advertised on campus through emails, text messages to students, and sandwich board signage in high traffic areas on campus. While this workshop was focused on the campus community, we also sent an invitation to the College Area Community Council, and the City Manager. The two workshops ultimately had 81 individuals attend the meeting.

In addition to the two workshops, the electronic survey portion of the workshops were sent out to the whole campus for continued feedback. This survey received a total of 214 responses, with 168 of them coming from students. The college also collaborated with the ASVC to host a pop-up event to solicit feedback from students on what types of housing units they would be most interested in, factoring in considerations such as cost, the number of beds in a room, bathroom types, and kitchen types. Over 100 students participated in this activity. The college also attended the final 2024 College Area Community Council meeting on October 23 to share a student housing update with the community, and to invite them to a community-oriented design workshop on November 13. A Design Workshop was also held on November 14 which was open to the public. On December 10, there will be an "End of Concept Design Phase" meeting. More information will be sent as we get closer to that date.

Congratulation to Dr. Sandra Melton!

Our Ventura College School of Nursing & Allied Health Director, Dr. Sandra Melton, received an incredible award while attending the OADN Conference. She was inducted into the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing’s 2024 Fellows. According to the OADN, “Fellows are exemplary leaders who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to associate degree nursing education and practice. Their work as change agents has significantly advanced health and education through ADN programs.”

Exciting Announcement: Ventura College Selected for FAFSA Beta Program!

We are thrilled to announce that Ventura College has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in the FAFSA Beta Program for the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to complete their FAFSA applications early, well ahead of the official opening in December.

As part of this initiative, we will also be participating in Beta 3 and Beta 4 testing phases. Students were able to apply for Beta 3 from November 1-7 and can apply for Beta 4 from November 15-18.

To support our students and their families during these important application periods, we will be offering extended in-person and Zoom hours.

Participating in the FAFSA Beta Program means that our students will be directly contributing to enhancing the FAFSA experience for millions of students across the nation. This is a legitimate application process, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative.

VC Foundation Scholarship Deadline

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 is now open and will close January 20, 2025. To volunteer to review scholarship applications, contact aaggarwal@vcccd.edu

Ventura College Urban Forest Update

Through careful analysis and inventory of Ventura College’s Urban Forest, we’ve identified each tree, its approximate age, and its health. With this information, the assistance of Mariposa’s Tree Division, and the expertise of their Arborist, Brandon Williamson, VC has engaged an Urban Forest Management strategy to address those trees that pose a risk to the campus community and bring vitality back where we can to those trees that survived the drought through careful maintenance – pruning and thinning of the canopies, balancing the weight, and clearing dead branches. Unfortunately, safety dictates we eliminate those trees that have succumbed to the drought or disease as well as other trees that pose hazards due to errant growth patterns or where broken limbs jeopardize the structural integrity of the tree and removal is warranted. In anticipation of Ventura College’s 100th Anniversary, we are working with a local Landscape Architect and alumni of Ventura College, Mr. Paul Jordan of Jordan, Gilbert, and Bain (JGB), to restore VC’s landscape to its vibrant past. Through the creative design and expertise of Paul Jordan, we have two projects, Administration Building and the Global Garden, that began October 28, 2024. Each will have stressed and high-volume water dependent vegetation removed and new plants placed along with eco-friendly and sustainable irrigation systems to reduce water consumption where possible while providing the appropriate irrigation maintaining a drought tolerant and appealing environment. We have several other areas pending design and construction to follow in the coming months. In addition to these efforts, the FMO Grounds Division continues to work on smaller projects where improvements are easily attained with a smaller workforce bringing curb appeal and a welcoming landscape for all to enjoy.

Veterans Mental Health Demonstration Project Grant

Ventura College has been selected by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office as one of ten colleges to implement the Veterans Mental Health Demonstration Project Grant. VC will be granted $150,000 over two years beginning this November. The grant aims to bolster mental health outreach and peer support for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. Congratulations to the VRC and Student Health Center on this incredible opportunity that will greatly help our student vets!

Basic Needs Gratitude Meal and Giving Tree!

The VC Basic Needs Center will be hosting our annual Gratitude Meal and Turkey Giveaway on November 21 at VCEC, and November 26 at VC. Students can enjoy a free meal and also have the opportunity to take home a turkey and all of the supplies to fix a holiday spread at home!

The Basic Needs Center will also be sponsoring the 2nd Annual Giving Tree, beginning November 19. Students submit a wish for holiday gift ($25 max value) and then VC Staff can choose a wish from the Giving Tree and purchase that gift for one or our lucky students. What a great way to spread some Holiday Cheer!

VC Dreamers Resource Center Makes Personal Connections

The Dreamers Resource Center is excited to announce that Vanessa Gonzalez, our new Student Services Assistant, is now available to support students! The center provides help with the California Dream Act Application, completing the AB540 affidavit to secure in-state tuition, and connecting students to valuable resources, including academic counseling every Friday and FREE legal services through UFW. Workshops on various topics, such as scholarships, financial aid, time management, and more are planned for the future. Stop by the center and meet Vanessa in person!

• November 19: Employee Thanksgiving Gathering & Canned Food Drive
• December 5: Holiday Gathering
• Professional Development Opportunities: Click the button below for details

Military Appreciation Football Game November 16

ALL veterans and their families (not just VC Veterans) are invited to join us for this free night of fun! Tailgate with food, games and fun begins at 4:45 p.m. in the Ventura College 'C' Lot. Those who enter after 5:30 p.m. need to enter through the Main West Lot gate. Kick off is at 6 p.m.

Saturday, November 16 | Tailgate Starts at 4:45 p.m. at 'C' Lot | VC Sportsplex

All VC staff are invited to join us for a campus wide employee Thanksgiving Gathering. Enjoy traditional desserts, hot chocolate and spend some time with your favorite Pirates. Basic Needs will also launch their annual student Giving Tree where staff can fulfill a holiday wish (see article above for details).

You can also bring in canned food donations for our CAN-Tree competition!

Tuesday, November 19 | 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Guthrie Hall 

Celebrate World Toilet Day With the VC Water Science Program

Sip hot chocolate from toilet shaped mugs and learn about the 3.5 billion people worldwide still living without safe toilets and water treatment systems. Network with current and future Water Science students, industry partners, and working professionals.

Tuesday, November 19 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Applied Science Center

Start your holiday shopping and support our Pirate artists! The annual Student Art & Ceramic Sale is just around the corner. November 20 and 21 | 9 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Student Art Gallery 2

Support our Holiday Food Drive

Contribute to a canned food drive in collaboration with Food Share, the VC School of Nursing and Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society. The goal is to collect 600-800 cans to create a Canned Christmas Tree to help support those in need. Drop-off boxes will be located around VC campus and on the first floor of the HSC Building through December 4. Every can counts! Contact vcoadn@gmail.com

The Ventura College Dance Department Presents: Culture Series 2 - Aspects of the Self. Come enjoy an evening of Hip-Hop, Ballet, Contemporary and Mexican Folklorico dance that examines the physical elements of our Cultural Identities.

November 21, 22 and 23 | 7:30pm | Performing Arts Center

Support VC Pirate Athletics!

Upcoming Home Athletic Events:

Friday, November 15 | Women's Volleyball vs LA Pierce 5:30 p.m. | Athletic Event Center

Saturday, November 16 | Women's Volleyball WSC Crossover details TBA | Athletic Event Center

Saturday, November 16 | Football vs Canyons 6 p.m. | Sportsplex

Veterans Night / Night of Champions Honoring 1999 Pirate Football

Tuesday, November 19 | Men's Basketball vs Saddleback 6 p.m. | Athletic Event Center

Thursday, November 21 | Women's Basketball VC-Kiwanis Tournament details TBA | Athletic Event Center

Friday, November 22 | Women's Basketball VC-Kiwanis Tournament details TBA | Athletic Event Center

Saturday, November 23 | Women's Basketball VC-Kiwanis Tournament details TBA | Athletic Event Center

Saturday, December 7 | Men's Basketball vs San Bernardino Valley 12 p.m. | Athletic Event Center

Tuesday, December 10 | Men's Basketball vs Bakersfield 6 p.m. | Athletic Event Center

Thursday, December 19 | Women's Basketball vs LA Harbor 6 p.m. | Athletic Event Center

Friday, December 20 | Women's Basketball vs Foothill 6 p.m. | Athletic Event Center

Our Pirates brought the Halloween spirit to life! 🎃 From spooky costumes to incredible decorations, everyone made it a day to remember. Thanks for making Halloween at Ventura College so much fun!

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