Greetings, Wolverines!

Fall 2025 is fast approaching the campus closure for the Thanksgiving holiday.  I want to express my gratitude and thanks for each of you.  I am grateful for your daily investment in the success of our students, your teamwork across campus, and your dedication to the mission of Valley College. Thank you for helping us carry forward the energy of our Centennial year as we continue to “Valley Up” together.

My apologies for missing an opportunity last week to send the Wolverine Weekly.  In addition to the highlights below, I spent last week meeting with a few donors and we secured $150,000 in pledges for the centennial gala.  I want to thank Mike Layne and our district partners for the ongoing efforts to increase scholarship opportunities for our students. 

Please join us in celebrating at Blue’s Birthday Bash tomorrow (Wednesday, 11/19/2025 from 12 NOON to 2:00 PM), and I’ll see you all at the Western State Bowl Game at Antelope Valley on Saturday (11/22/2025)! There is still plenty of room on the “SBVC rooter bus” to help us cheer our football team to a bowl victory.  Also, don’t forget to stop by the Communication Studies Speech Tournament on Thursday (11/20/2025 at 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM), if you can, to support our student speakers.

Here are the highlights for this week: 
 

1. FINANCIAL AID MILESTONE – PELL AND GRANT GROWTH
SBVC’s Financial Aid Office continues to set new records in support of student success. The latest disbursement report shows significant year-over-year growth across multiple programs:

  • Pell Grants: +54% ($2.2 million increase)
  • Cal Grants: +72% (726 more students served)
  • SSCG (Student Success Completion Grant): +553% (+842 students)

 

These increases demonstrate our commitment to removing barriers and helping more students reach their goals, a core objective of the Valley Up! Initiative. Congratulations to Rosie Esparza and the Financial Aid team for their outstanding leadership and impact. 

2. Happy Birthday, Blue! – November 19 

Come celebrate Blue the Wolverine’s sixth birthday at NOON on Wednesday, November 19, at the Lois Carson Campus Center walkway (or inside the LCCC, if it rains). Join us for cake, a DJ, photos with Blue, and a burst of Valley pride — and don’t forget to wear BLUE!

3. Communication Studies Speech Tournament – November 20 
Join the Communication Studies Department for their 22nd Annual Speech Tournament, Thursday, November 20, 3–5 PM in the Library Viewing Room. Food will be available while supplies last and the final round begins at 5 PM, followed by the awards ceremony. Come support our talented student competitors!  Special thanks to Dr. Susan Mattson and all the Wolverines who helped facilitate this effort.

4. FOOTBALL TEAM HEADS TO THE WESTERN STATE BOWL

The Wolverines are back in postseason play for the first time since 2019! SBVC (7–3) will take on Antelope Valley College in a rematch of their Week 1 matchup, which drew a packed home crowd. The game kicks off Saturday, November 22, at Antelope Valley at 5 PM. Let’s bring the energy, Wolverines. Go Valley! 

5. Cross Country Competing in State Championships

Congratulations to our men’s and women’s cross-country teams for qualifying for the state championships after stellar performances at the Southern California Regionals!

  • Men’s Team: Finished 6th overall; Micah Watson placed 5th among 184 runners (20:28.86).
  • Women’s Team: Finished 15th overall; Callie Frias led SBVC with a 20:25.87 finish.

Both teams will represent SBVC at the State Championships on November 22, 2025 in Fresno.

6. VETERANS DAY FESTIVAL
Kudos to the Veterans Resource Center for hosting a powerful Veterans Day Festival last week. Students and community members gathered for food, music, and games, all in celebration of our student and community veterans. Thank you for your service and for making SBVC proud.  Special thanks to Jason Alvarez and Nicholas Chavez for their leadership.

 

7. Academic Senate and Faculty Leadership Highlights

SBVC was proudly represented at the ASCCC Fall Plenary and COLEGAS Conference earlier this month, with multiple faculty presenting statewide on topics including advocacy, equity, and student success. Special thanks to Bethany Tasaka, Dr. Anthony Blacksher, Brenda Orozco, Andrea Hecht, Ebony Perez, Pete Gonzalez, Natalie Peterkin, and Thomas Berry for their leadership and presentations — and congratulations to Pete Gonzalez on his new At-Large Academic Senate position for Student Services!

 

8. REIMAGINING SBVC: STAGE III (NOVEMBER 12–DECEMBER 10)

We have officially entered Stage III: Revisions & Approval of the Reimagining SBVC process. The updated Reimagined Organization Chart was presented at the November 12, 2025 College Council meeting and is now live at www.valleycollege.edu/reimagine. Over 30 revisions were made based on campus feedback, and names and positions will be added as the final chart moves through participatory governance ahead of final review on December 10, 2025.


9. President’s Holiday Gathering & Holiday Basket Opportunity Drawing

Get ready to kick off the festive season! Our annual President’s Holiday Gathering is coming up on Friday, December 5, 2025 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.

How to Participate:

  • Pick Up a Basket: Stop by the President’s Office by Monday, November 24, 2025 to pick up a free basket (while supplies last). You may also use your own.
  • Choose a Theme: Fun, festive, clever, or unique — you decide! Need inspiration? Check out last year’s baskets.
  • Fill Your Basket: Add goodies, treats, or themed items. (Donation letter available upon request.)
  • Submit Your Basket:
    • Complete the Holiday Basket Submission Form
    • Bring your basket to the Auxiliary Gym by 8:30 AM on Friday, December 5, OR
    • Drop it off at the President’s Office by Monday, December 1 at 5 PM

 

Your creative baskets help raise meaningful funds for student success — thank you for contributing to this wonderful Valley College tradition!

10. PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE CABINET MET WITH SBCCD AFFINITY GROUPS – NOVEMBER 18, 2025

Today, I had the opportunity to meet with the leadership from the affinity groups.  I would like to send special thanks to Chloe de los Reyes for joining us from Crafton Hills College.  The purpose of the meeting was to engage in multicultural center planning, listen to priorities from the affinity groups, explore space options in the Student Services Building, and develop a framework to move the college forward.  We also explored staffing needs, governance needs, and cultural programming and budgets.  The Executive Team committed to funding for existing cultural programming for the 2025-26 school year and the 2026-27 school year while we work collaboratively to define/design for the 2027-28 school year.  More information will be shared in the Spring 2026 semester.

 

11. 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. 

12. 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