Greetings, Wolverines! 

 

Happy September!

 

We enter week 2 following the Labor Day holiday weekend.  Our enrollment for Fall 2025 is 15,713 students and climbing.  The campus is buzzing with energy and excitement.  I want to thank Dr. Ray Carlos and the entire team for coordinating the “Ask Me” buttons for the College.  I have personally observed so many students receiving help from warm and smiling faces of our teammates.  This embodies a culture that leads with love.  I am truly grateful for everyone as we elevate the student experience by prioritizing a sense of belonging for the diverse students we educate and serve.

1. COFFEE WITH THE PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE CABINET

Yesterday, we hosted the first Coffee with the Cabinet of the Fall 2025 semester.  Thank you everyone who joined, especially our students!  We spent the first part of the meeting providing updates on enrollment, safety, Den2Den Housing Initiative, 100 Events, Opening Day, Foundation collaboration with CSUSB, and the Valley Up! the Mountain Leadership Summit Action Steps.  We also received questions about a number of items and the cabinet will follow-up on increasing hydration stations, addressing the digital divide for students (chrome books), resources for students confronting addiction, a Homecoming event, concessions at future football games, and misters for events tabling in the heat.  Please join us at the next Coffee with the Cabinet on October 7th in B100.

2. PIZZA WITH THE PRESIDENTS

Yesterday, Associated Students hosted “Pizza with the Presidents.”  Thank you to our student leaders for creating a vibrant campus life and thank you Associated Student Government President Matthew Martinez and Vice President of Student Senate Alaysha Nash for attending Coffee with the PEC after the event.  It was a pleasure to join this event along with the Cabinet and other campus leaders from the Academic & Classified Senates and affinity groups in support of our student leaders.  Thank you Marwin Luminarias, Marie Maghuyop, and the team for supporting our student leaders.

3. WOMEN'S SOCCER HOME OPENER - 9/5

Join me this Friday, 9/5, as our Women’s Soccer team takes the field for their home opener. Let’s pack the stands and support our Wolverines!

4. CENTENNIAL PLANETARIUM SEASON BEGINS - 9/5

Also Friday, 9/5 at 7pm, don’t miss our first Planetarium show of the Centennial year: “Autumn Skies & Ancient Myths.” More info at valleycollege.edu/planetarium.

5. BOARD STRATEGY SESSION AUGUST 28, 2025

Last Thursday, I attended the SBCCD Board Strategy session.  The Board reviewed the 2025-26 final budget.  In short, the budget is strong and enrollment is up!  This is going to be an amazing year as we celebrate our centennial at Valley College.

  

This past Saturday, we made history with our season-opener for football.  The game was our first-ever Alumni Classic Football Game.  The College recognized members from the 1982 championship team and our alumni cheerleaders (along with their little ones) brought spirit to the crowd.  In addition, we kicked off the game with an airplane flyover courtesy of our Applied Technology Division, SBVC Foundation hosted an Alumni Tailgate, and the college created a true college gameday environment for approximately 3,000 fans.

 

The energy was truly a “wow” moment for our college and community. This event will be remembered as a Centennial highlight.  Thank you, Barbara Bray, Sergio Zazueta, the Foundation team, Erik Morden, and the entire village for making this event epic!

Academic Senate meets today for the first meeting of the Fall 2025 term.  Let’s keep the Centennial momentum rolling strong into September!

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Gil