Last week was epic at San Bernardino Valley College. We hosted 7 town halls regarding the collegewide reorganization, attended the San Bernardino State of the City on Tuesday, both College Council and Academic Senate met on Wednesday, hosted the Dual Enrollment Summit and the SBCCD Olympics on Friday, and we hosted the Magical Music of Motown and the Pasefika celebration at the football game on Saturday.  

This week, the reorganization charts are available in the Gresham Art Gallery and we will be hosting the SBVC Foundation President’s Luncheon on Friday.

  

Let’s have another amazing week! 

 

  1. REIMAGINING SBVC 

Thank you all for sharing your voices at last week’s Town Hall sessions as we reimagined San Bernardino Valley College. This week, we are providing more opportunities to share your input on the Reimagining SBVC proposal. The poster boards of the reorganization will be available in the Gresham Art Gallery:

Monday                        10/20                8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Tuesday                        10/21                 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Wednesday                   10/22                8:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Thursday                       10/23                8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Friday                            10/24               8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Please visit the website for more details about Reimagining SBVC here.  

 

  1. GROWING INLAND ACHIEVEMENT (GIA) TEAM STRATEGY SESSION (FRIDAY, 10-17-2025)

Last Friday, SBVC met with Growing Inland Achievement to explore opportunities to strengthen collaboration between GIA and SBVC. The conversation was facilitated by Frances Tapper and Lisa Des Jardins from GIA as we explored priorities that align with the Valley Up! Initiative and the Gates Foundation grant that is being championed by GIA.  Thank you to the team that joined me in this meeting, VPI Leticia Hector, VPSS Yvonne Gutierrez-Sandoval, Gabriel Martinez, Carol Damgen, Botra Moeung, Keynasia Buffong, and Steven Silva.

  1. SBCCD OLYMPICS 

Thank you for showing your Wolverine spirit as the home team at the SBCCD Olympics. We hosted a dodgeball tournament, relay races, and ultimate tug-of-war. Our event was spectacular. Every detail truly elevating the experience for our teammates competing, for all of us fans, and for SBCCD overall.  Another spectacular job by Barbara Bray and everyone who helped organize this event.  We also won our first gold medal in the tug-of-war!

Please join me in commending and congratulating our team: Oscar Rodriguez, Botra Moeung, Keenan Giles, Yvonne Gutierrez-Sandoval, Gabriel Martinez, Amber Martin, Marie Maghuyop, Keynasia Buffong, April Dale, Jeff Demsky, Nick Mendoza, and Antonio Monroy. Go, Valley!

  

  1. CENTENNIAL BARRIO FIESTA OCTOBER 28 

Celebrate Filipino American community and culture at the Centennial Barrio Fiesta on October 28! Enjoy traditional Filipino food, music, and performances that honor the vibrancy of Filipino American history and bring everyone together in fiesta spirit. The event is 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM in B-100. Thanks to Dr. Rangel Zarate and the Arts, Lectures & Diversity Committee for leading this powerful event celebrating community!

 

  1. GET READY FOR WELLNESS SPOOKTACULAR 

Come in costume and decorate your office or department for the Wellness Spooktacular on October 30, sponsored by Student Health Services and Basic Needs. Bragging rights are on the line for the most immersive and creative spaces and all candy and giveaways will be supplied – just host a trick-or-treating station.  Trick-or-treating will be 10 AM to 3 PM in the Greek Theatre walkway and a resource fair and lunch will be 11 AM to 2 PM.  Email basicneeds@valleycollege.edu with questions and RSVP here. 

 

  1. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION 

All are invited to the Día De Los Muertos celebration October 30, 5 PM to 8 PM at KVCR. The Latino Faculty, Staff, & Administrators Association is partnering with KVCR for this event to celebrate and remember loved ones who have passed away. Attendees are welcome to dress up and bring their own ofrenda or memento for the community altar. Join us for an evening of activities, food, music, and community.  

 

  1. SUPPORTING THE INLAND EMPIRE TRANSFER SUCCESS INITIATIVE 

Thanks to the Yuhaaviatam of the San Manuel Nation for awarding Cal Poly Pomona a $600,000 grant to implement the Inland Empire Transfer Success Initiative.  The Transfer Success Initiative aligns with SBVC’s priorities in the Valley Up! Initiative and will undoubtedly assist more of our students in their transfer journey. I wrote a letter of support from SBVC to help secure the funding and now it is time to put the budget details to work. Thank you all for doing your part to help our students transfer—we each play a role in the transfer success of our students!

 

  1. CONGRATS TO REMA GHAZALEH FOR BEING A NAFSA REGION XII RISING STAR 

International student counselor, Rema Ghazaleh, has been chosen to receive the NAFSA Region XII Rising Star Young Leader Award October 31 at NAFSA’s annual conference in Pasadena. Rema has revamped SBVC’s International Student Program by expanding it to 26 active students and 10 to 15 additional prospects in 2026. Congratulations, Rema, and thank you for your hard work on behalf of our international students! 

 

  1. SAVE THE DATE - VETERANS DAY FESTIVAL 

The Veterans Resource Center is holding their Veterans Day Festival Monday, November 10, from 11 AM to 2 PM on the lawn near the Greek Theatre. If your division or office would like to participate, please RSVP here. Thank you for supporting and celebrating our veterans! 

 

  1. PROPOSALS ACCEPTED TO NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION CONFERENCE 

Both our Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and Mapping Articulated Pathways/Credit for Prior Learning (MAP/CPL) proposals were accepted for presentation at the national Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) conference in Indianapolis next year. Kudos to those teams and Dr. Stephanie Lewis for their hard work!  Presenting for CAEP will be Dr. Emma Diaz, Fili Michel, Alex Jaco, and Maria Lopez. The MAP/CPL presentation will be conducted by Dr. Lewis, Kevin Memminger, Demond Littles, and Ryan Hogan.
 

  1. CENTENNIAL MOMENTS – VIDEO RECAPS  

We are continuing to capture and share the lived experience of SBVC’s 100th year through highlight videos, event recaps, and campus stories. Watch the latest Centennial Moments on SBVC's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@sbvalleycollegeyt. 

  

  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.  

  

Let’s have another transformative week!

 

Valley Up 

 

Gil