Greetings, Valley College!

Last week was another action-packed week at Valley College. I toured San Bernardino International Airport, celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Aeronautics and Health Sciences buildings, met with the BLU Foundation, supported the paint & sip event hosted by Puente and an FTVM screening, met with the Rialto PTA, supported EDCT at the Shine the Light Foundation event, welcomed new students at the Valley Bound orientation, and conducted final interviews for two faculty recruitments (HMDT and Psych Tech).

Event season is upon us and the Commencement stage is in sight. This week, we are conducting second-level interviews for Financial Aid Director and recruitment for Biology faculty.

Some highlights for this week:

  1. SBVC AWARDED $1.5 MILLION NURSING INFRASTRUCTURE GRANT

San Bernardino Valley College has been selected to receive a $1,511,831 Rebuilding Nursing Infrastructure Grant (Round 2)—a major investment in expanding and strengthening our nursing program. This award represents a significant step forward in addressing regional workforce needs and increasing the number of qualified nursing graduates serving our community.

Special thanks to Director of Grants Tammy Mathis and the entire team involved in developing this successful proposal, including Dean Lorrie Burnham and Assistant Director of Nursing Angela Vogel, for guiding this important work.

 

  1. REGISTRATION BLOCK PARTIES

Block parties started today with EOPS, CARE, NextUp, Guardian Scholars and CalWORKS promoting summer and fall registration. Students can enjoy breakfast or lunch and register on site. All registration block parties are posted on www.valleycollege.edu/calendar. Kudos to Joanne Hinojosa, Keenan Giles, Marty Milligan and Monica Perales for getting our students registered.

  1. ART WORKSHOP FOR ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH APRIL 7, 2026

The Student Life Lounge is hosting a geometric art workshop Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 12:00-3:00 PM for Arab American Heritage Month. There will also be stations highlighting Arab achievements in mathematics, science, medicine, philosophy, law, literature, education, and more. There will be light refreshments and all are welcome.

 

  1. STEM-MESA CENTER OPEN HOUSE APRIL 8, 2026

The STEM-MESA Center in the Physical Sciences Building is hosting an open house Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM. There will be interactive stations, resources, and a chance to meet faculty and staff. Attendees can collect stamps from each station for the opportunity to get free food from Habit Burger & Grill. Kudos to Dr. Daniel Mayo and Brianna Cunningham for educating our campus about STEM-MESA!

  1. ‘MORE THAN A STATUS’ STORYTELLING EVENT APRIL 9, 2026

“More Than a Status: Voices of Belonging and Resilience” is a student-led storytelling and awareness initiative designed to uplift the experiences of students whose educational journeys are shaped by immigrant-related barriers. Through short videos, social media storytelling, photo narratives and optional docuseries-style content, the campaign highlights student challenges, resilience, growth, and success. This free event is Thursday, April 9, 2026, 1:00-3:00 PM in B-100. RSVP here. Thanks to Dr. Ray Carlos for organizing this meaningful gathering.

 

  1. SAVE THE DATE FOR SPOTLIGHTING AWARDS: APRIL 17, 2026

The annual Spotlighting Our Success employee awards are Friday, April 17, 2026. The awards recognize employees whose dedication, service, leadership, and innovation exemplify the spirit of SBVC. In honor of our centennial year, several new award categories have been introduced. Please watch your email for an official campus invitation that will include event information. I hope you can attend this special event.

 

  1. DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TO BE HONORED WITH ALUMNI AWARDS

This Friday, I will be attending CSUSB’s 2026 Alumni Hall of Fame induction dinner. Chancellor Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizing her service to the San Bernardino Community College District and the wider Inland Empire. On Saturday, I will be present when Associate Vice Chancellor Angel Rodriguez is awarded UC Riverside’s Alumni Service Award at an event held at the Mission Inn. Congratulations to our district leaders!

 

  1. CENTENNIAL MOMENTS CONTINUE

As we continue celebrating 100 years with 100 events, our marketing team is capturing the lived centennial experience through photos, videos, and weekly recaps. These moments reflect the heart of Valley College -- our people, our students, and our community. You can watch the latest Centennial Moments on SBVC’s YouTube channel.

 

  1. SHARE A CENTENNIAL MEMORY

We’ve been inviting students, employees, alumni, and community members to share their memories during our centennial year. Please submit your reflections at SBVC Historic Highlights. 

Valley Up!

Gil