Last week was another exciting week at San Bernardino Valley College.  I had the opportunity to meet with the City Manager from the City of San Bernardino to share exciting centennial events and opportunities to strengthen collaboration between the College and the City.  I also met with Bethany Tasaka and Ula Matavao to discuss institutionalizing APIA priorities and explore long-term planning for cultural programming. The College also hosted a training on Friday for Building Captains as part of our renewed focus on Health & Safety. 
 
On Friday, we celebrated the groundbreaking of our Student Services Building. We welcomed state lawmakers, district leaders, partners, alumni, staff and students. I really appreciate the planning and hard work to make the event a huge success.  The souvenir hard hats were a huge hit, as well as the world-famous burritos. Earlier today, we hosted Coffee with the Cabinet and provided a number of college updates. We also received feedback on safety concerns in the parking lot near The Village, interest in hosting a College Farmers' Market, and a number of other homework items for the executive team.
 
Some highlights to share this week:   
 
1. THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING THE STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING GROUNDBREAKING! 
As our Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez said so eloquently, it will be a “welcoming front door” for future generations of students. Thanks for sporting your centennial hard hats and for celebrating with us! I want to thank all of our teammates for organizing such an amazing event, especially VPAS Keith Bacon for serving as the master of ceremonies and Barbara Bray for another stellar job coordinating centennial events.
 
2. IT’S NATIONAL VOTER EDUCATION WEEK 
Today, the SBVC Library hosted a virtual information session featuring California Secretary of State Shirley Weber about the statewide special election on November 4. Register and get more information here. 
 
3. REIMAGINING SBVC (ROOM LOCATION CHANGES)
We recently released information on Reimagining SBVC and how you can share input on our campus-wide reorganization. In order to expand accessibility and accommodate a competing usage need for B-100, we have made a few adjustments to the locations of the town halls and viewing areas during the Campuswide Input stage of Reimagining SBVC.
  • Oct 13 & 14 (afternoon sessions only): Moved to the Auditorium to accommodate more participants.
  • Oct 20–24 (viewing): Moved to the Gresham Art Gallery to improve accessibility for all.

 
We will provide links to capture your ideas at the upcoming Town Hall meetings in B-100 and the Auditorium (October 13-16) and the subsequent week in the Gresham Art Gallery (October 20-24). You can access and track the reorganization efforts here. Thank you for sharing your voice as we Valley Up the college for the next century!
 
4. FILIPINO AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH 
SBVC is proud to celebrate Filipino American History Month this month! The theme is “Celebrating Generational Joy: Food, Music, Laughter and Love Across Generations.” The first event is Paint & Sip, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Thursday in the Student Lounge. Unleash your creativity while enjoying halo-halo, a beloved Filipino dessert. See all Filipino American History Month events, including the Centennial Barrio Fiesta on October 28, at All Campus Events — San Bernardino Valley College. 
 
5. THANKS TO EDISON FOR $25,000 FOR STEM SCHOLARSHIPS! 
Edison International has awarded the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation a $25,000 for STEM scholarships this academic year. Thanks to our awesome partners at Edison for supporting students in our STEM programs! 
 
6. LATIN JAZZ GREAT PONCHO SANCHEZ LIVE IN CONCERT AT SBVC OCTOBER 12 
Don’t miss Grammy-winning Latin jazz musician Poncho Sanchez at the Greek Theatre on October 12. The concert is at 6 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. The Dariel Peniazek guitar duo will open for Sanchez. Bring a blanket and enjoy food truck fare. Join the fun as part of the closing events for Hispanic Heritage Month as well as one of our 100 events celebrating our centennial year. 
 
7. SBCCD OLYMPICS IS COMING TO VALLEY 
SBVC brought home silver at the SBCCD Olympics at Crafton Hills College – and now the second event is coming here! Show your Wolverine spirit on October 17.  Receive a specially designed Valley Up! shirt when you RSVP and help us turn the event into a Blue Out! We’ll have tacos, churros and ice cream to fuel your spirit. Let’s go for the gold! The RSVP deadline is noon next Tuesday – register here. 
 
8. KVCR YOUNG WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE A SUCCESS 
I was proud to speak at KVCR’s Young Women’s Leadership Conference here at SBVC on September 26. Together with our Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez, KVCR Executive Director Connie Leyva, and young women from our local high schools, we lifted up this year’s theme, “Our Roots Are Our Power,” and celebrated the brilliance of young leaders from across the Inland Empire. Huge thanks to KVCR Public Media and Executive Director Connie Leyva for convening a powerful day of mentorship, storytelling, and purpose. 
 
9. GREAT CALIFORNIA SHAKEOUT – OCTOBER 16 
SBVC will be participating in the Great California Shakeout on Thursday, October 16, at 10:16 a.m. We will have a 15-minute drill triggered by our mass notification system, which will include phone announcements, texts, and voicemail. Thank you for helping make our campus earthquake safe! 
 
10. WELDING PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY RESEARCH.COM 
Our Welding Technology program was recently named Most Affordable Welder Trade School in San Bernardino for 2026 by Research.com. Kudos to Bryce Cacho, Joshua Milligan and everyone in the program for their hard work! 
 
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.  
Thank you for making this special time at SBVC possible for your colleagues, alumni and our students. Have a great week!
Valley Up
Gil