Greetings, Wolverines!  

  

Happy December Valley College!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday break and the season provided you quality time with loved ones.  I am grateful for good health, family, and the joy I receive from working alongside each of you at San Bernardino Valley College.

Let’s finish strong during the remaining weeks of the Fall semester.  Last week, I participated in more final interviews and the Cabinet received an update from Tammy Mathis, Director of Grants.  As we start the Spring 2026 semester, Tammy will share widely across the College the grants process as well as provide updates on our current inventory of grants.  Grants will play an important role as part of our Valley Up! Initiative, 2025-2030!.

 

Here are the highlights for this week:   

  

  1. COFFEE WITH THE CABINET, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2025, 12 NOON TO 1 PM, LIBRARY VIEWING ROOM

All are welcome!  Please join us tomorrow for the final Coffee with the Cabinet in 2025.  The purpose of Coffee with the Cabinet is to provide the College with another avenue of communication.  We provide some College updates and engage with the participants in an open Q&A session. Typically, the Cabinet receives homework on items that need our attention.  Hope to see you all there.

 

  1. SBVC HONORS MINI CONFERENCE, DECEMBER 1-2, 2025, LIBRARY VIEWING ROOM

Today and this week, the SBVC Honors Mini Conference features our students.  Thank you, Carol Damgen, for providing our students with these meaningful opportunities.  I look forward to strengthening the SBVC Honors Program in the coming years as part of the Collegewide reorganization and the Valley Up! Initiative, 2025-30.

 

  1. SBVC MURAL COMING SPRING 2026

As part of our centennial planning, Valley College has been working hard to move the mural conversation to action in 2026.  We are exploring a partnership with the Garcia Center for the Arts to feature local artists and preferably SBVC alumni and students.  This item will make it’s way to College council as well as the Arts, Lecture, and Diversity Committee.  The goal is to have the mural completed by Commencement 2026!

 

  1. WINTERFEST IS WEDNESDAY!  12/3/2025 at 5 PM

Come enjoy winter festivities at Winterfest, 5 PM Wednesday! This is a huge annual event and a way to celebrate the winter season with the SBVC community. This year’s event, themed “All Aboard the Polar Valley Express,” will feature MORE fresh snow, decorations, a trackless train, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and food by the Greek Theatre. New this year is Los Posadas, a mini Mexican village with champurrado and a mini pinata craft, and “Club Wolverine” in the student lounge for students only. Climb aboard the Polar Valley Express!  

 

  1. ‘SHREK THE MUSICAL’ THURSDAY-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4-7, 2025

Support our Theatre Arts Department and see “Shrek the Musical” Thursday through Sunday! This Tony Award-winning show brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears. I want to recognize and thank the Director & Co-Chair of Theater Arts, Music & Dance Dr. Melinda Fogle, Pit Band Conductor Shelly Mahpar, Vocal Director Sonja Krenek, Choreographer Brenden Vaughn-Hampton, and the entire theatre staff.   This is a great opportunity for students from our athletics programs, special programs, and the entire College community to support their our students.  The Cabinet will attend the show on this Friday evening.  Get tickets here. 

 

  1. COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES 2026

I have discussed with leaders from BFSA and APIA the priority of Valley College providing opportunities for the local community on our campus.  Similar to the Poncho Sanchez concert this Fall, Valley College will continue the celebration of the diverse cultures in our community.  We will work with BFSA and APIA to host similar community concerts at Valley College during the Spring 2026 semester.  I would like to thank Mike Layne, the Executive Director of the SBVC Foundation, for his leadership and support of these efforts.

 

  1. PRESIDENT'S HOLIDAY GATHERING & HOLIDAY BASKET OPPORTUNITY DRAWING , FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025

Get ready to kick off the festive season! Our annual President’s Holiday Gathering is coming up on Friday from 12 NOON to 2 PM in the Auxiliary Gym. Join us for delicious food, music, and holiday cheer as we come together to celebrate the season and support our students. 

As part of this cherished SBVC tradition, all departments are invited to participate in the Holiday Basket Opportunity Drawing, benefiting SBVC student textbook scholarships for Fall 2026. Baskets are due to the President’s Office TODAY – otherwise, drop them off at the Auxiliary Gym by 8:30 AM on Friday. Your creative baskets help raise meaningful funds for student success — thank you for contributing to this wonderful Valley College tradition!  Word on Mt. Vernon is that the VPI Office is providing a Disney Basket…thank you VPI Leticia Hector.

   

  1. ADOPT AN ANGEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS  

Spread holiday cheer by “adopting” a child of a CARE student and/or one of our foster youth scholars.  

To participate:  

  1. Choose Your Angel  
    Stop by the EOPS Office (ADSS 202) to select a gift tag from the tree with your angel’s name and wish list. 
  2. Check In  
    Let EOPS/CARE/NextUp staff know who you adopted and provide your contact information. If you’re unsure what to purchase, please ask. Limit each gift to $30 or less.  
  3. Wrap Your Gift  
    Wrap your gift or place it in a gift bag and attach the gift tag.  
  4. Return Your Gift  
    Please bring your gift to the EOPS Office no later than 2 PM Friday, December 12

  

The EOPS Office holiday celebration is Friday, December 19, in B-100. Students and their families will be welcomed by Santa, who will distribute the gifts. Please RSVP when you return your gift(s). Thank you for helping us make the season brighter for our students and their families!  

   

  1. CELEBRATING 100 YEARS WITH 100 EVENTS. CENTENNIAL MOMENTS - VIDEO RECAPS    

SBVC continues our year-long celebration of celebrating 100 years with 100 events. We have celebrated many events already and our marketing team continues capturing the lived centennial experience on campus and is sharing highlight videos throughout the year. Watch all the recaps on our YouTube channel.   

   

  1. WHAT DOES ‘VALLEY UP’ MEAN TO YOU?    

Tell us what “Valley Up” means to you! Film a response and we’ll share it at Valley Up! — San Bernardino Valley College. Submit your response here.    

   

Valley Up!  

Gil