Greetings, Wolverines!

As we close out October, we continue to make incredible progress across campus in our centennial year.  We honored and hosted centennial BBQs for our Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams who earned Inland Empire Conference Championships last Friday in San Diego.  We also hosted a centennial BBQ for our Women’s Basketball Team.  Thank you coaches and student-athletes for representing SBVC everywhere you compete!

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our Reimagining SBVC campuswide input process — your feedback and engagement have been invaluable. This week, we will be compiling the division-specific feedback received and sharing it with the campus community as we move toward developing the next iteration of the reorganization model.

Some highlights to share this week:   

1. PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE LUNCHEON

Last Friday, we gathered for the annual President’s Circle Luncheon to thank and celebrate our incredible SBVC Foundation donors. The luncheon was completely sold out and filled to capacity with local leaders, elected officials, alumni, faculty, staff, retirees and community partners—all united in their support of San Bernardino Valley College.

 

The highlight of the program came from our two student speakers, Daniel Aguilar and Jocelyn Olmos, who shared heartfelt stories about their journeys and the impact of Foundation scholarships. Daniel, a recent graduate with double associate degrees in Math and Physics, is now continuing his education at Cal Poly Pomona. Jocelyn, a second-year Kinesiology major, plans to transfer to CSUSB next year. Their words reminded us why donor support is so vital to student success.

 

We extend our gratitude to everyone who made this special appreciation event possible—especially Executive Director Mike Layne and the entire SBVC Foundation team.

 

2. CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to our men’s and women’s cross country teams for successfully defending their Inland Empire Athletic Conference Championships last Friday at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa!

  • The men’s team earned their fifth consecutive championship,
  • The women’s team claimed their third in a row,
  • And the men’s team went on to win the combined race, defeating some of the state’s top-ranked programs.
    Kudos to coaches Jim Ratigan, Ricardo Sanchez, their assistants, and our student-athletes for this outstanding achievement. Go Wolverines!

3. CENTENNIAL BARRIO FIESTA – OCTOBER 28 

Celebrate Filipino American community and culture at the Centennial Barrio Fiesta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in B-100! Enjoy traditional Filipino food, music, and performances that honor the vibrancy of Filipino American history and bring everyone together in fiesta spirit. Thank you to Dr. Rangel Zarate and the Arts, Lectures & Diversity Committee for leading this beautiful event celebrating culture and community!

4. WELLNESS SPOOKTACULAR – OCTOBER 30

Get ready for the Wellness Spooktacular this Thursday, October 30, 2025! Come in costume and decorate your office or department for a chance to win bragging rights for the most creative and immersive space. Sponsored by Student Health Services and Basic Needs, this event will feature:

  • Trick-or-treating from 10 AM to 3 PM in the Greek Theatre walkway
  • A Resource Fair and Lunch from 11 AM to 2 PM

All candy and giveaways will be supplied — departments just need to host a station! Email basicneeds@valleycollege.edu with questions and RSVP here.

5. DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION – OCTOBER 30

Join us at KVCR for a Día De Los Muertos celebration on Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 5 PM to 8 PM. Hosted by the Latino Faculty, Staff, & Administrators Association in partnership with KVCR, this event honors loved ones who have passed through community, reflection, and celebration. Attendees are encouraged to dress up and bring an ofrenda or memento for the community altar. Come enjoy an evening of food, music, and remembrance.

6. FIRST-GEN STUDENT CELEBRATION – NOVEMBER 3

Next Monday, join us in celebrating our first-generation students at the First-Gen Student Event, taking place November 3, 2025 from 10 AM to 1 PM in B-100. Students are invited to share their experiences, enjoy burgers, churros, giveaways, and pick up a special First-Gen T-shirt! The event will also feature free copies of “Crack the Code: A Guide to College Success for First Gens.” Thank you to the Student Equity & Success team for creating this meaningful celebration of our first-gen community.

7. VALLEY NIGHTS AND MEN’S HOOPS OPENER

Get ready for a big week of Wolverine spirit next week!

  • Wednesday, November 5, 2025: Valley Nights Pep Rally — an evening of music, games, and excitement leading up to the weekend’s homecoming festivities.
  • Friday, November 7, 2025 at 5 PM: Men’s Basketball Home Opener vs. Citrus.
  • Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 6 PM: Homecoming Football Game vs. LA Pierce.
    Let’s pack the stands and bring the energy: Go Valley!

8. THE EARTH IS STILL LISTENING – GRESHAM GALLERY EXHIBITION

Don’t miss The Earth Is Still Listening, a contemporary art exhibition exploring nature, climate change, and the Anthropocene. Open Monday–Thursday, 9 AM to 2 PM, the exhibit is free and open to all. Thank you to the Art Department and gallery staff for curating such a thought-provoking showcase.

9. THANK YOU, SCHOLARSHIP REVIEW VOLUNTEERS

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who volunteered for the SBVC Foundation’s Scholarship Review Task Force for the 2025–2026 cycle. Your work ensures that scholarships are distributed equitably and that every deserving student has the opportunity to succeed.

10. 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. 

11. 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.  

Please stay informed and engaged with so much activity across the College.  On Wednesday, both College Council and Academic Senate will meet with full agendas.  Thank you for all you do to transform lives and inspire positive change in this world.

Valley Up!

Gil