Greetings, Valley College!

Happy first day of Fall 2026! It is so wonderful to see students back at Valley, 16,000 strong. I want to especially thank all of our teammates out on campus helping students with directions, welcoming students, and greeting each other. I came across so many people out on campus today. The energy on campus is electric and contagious. It’s going to be another epic year for us — right people, right place, right time.

Here are some highlights for this week:

🏛  VALLEY COLLEGE IS GROWING

Institutional milestones, programs, enrollment, and strategic progress

1. SBVC FEATURED IN COMMUNITY COLLEGE JOURNAL

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3, 4   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

Valley College was recently featured in an article in the American Association of Community Colleges’ Community College Journal. The article highlights how our campus prioritizes grassroots community building and serving students of all backgrounds while raising enrollment. I was extremely proud to share this accolade with the college at Opening Day last Friday. Read more here.

2. VALLEY COLLEGE DEEPENS DUAL ENROLLMENT PARTNERSHIP WITH RIALTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT — FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

Last Friday, Valley College and Rialto Unified School District sat down to expand K-12 partnerships. VPI Leticia Hector and Executive Dean Dr. Stephanie Lewis met with RUSD Associate Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Jon Black, Executive Director of Educational Services Dr. Manuel Burciaga, and District Lead Counselor Kaishauna Kern. The meeting helped define opportunities to strengthen dual enrollment in RUSD.

🎓  OUR STUDENTS ARE SUCCEEDING

Programs removing barriers, measurable outcomes, and high-impact student stories

3. DEAN’S LIST HIGHEST HONORS STUDENTS TOP 600

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

In another indication that our students are excelling, over the last academic year more students have received highest honors on the Dean’s List.

In fall 2025, there were 281 students with distinction, 342 with honors and 616 with high honors. In spring 2026, there were 325 students with distinction, 273 with honors and 618 with high honors. Most students awarded a Dean’s List certificate had between a 3.9 and 4.0 GPA.

More information about the Dean’s List is here. Thanks to each of you for paving the way for our students to succeed!

4. VALLEY COLLEGE WELCOMES COLLEGE CORPS COHORT — WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, AUGUST 19-21, 2026

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

Last week was orientation for the fifth College Corps cohort at Valley College. College Corps fellows serve the community through nonprofit organizations throughout the region. SBCCD Vice Chancellor Dr. Nohemy Ornelas welcomed the fellows at orientation and expressed her support, and College Corps Coordinator Krista Ornelas-Mora and SBVC Counselor Kristina Elpel led the training.

I’m excited to welcome our newest College Corps fellows and look forward to the positive impact they will make in the community!

🤝  BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Partnerships, K-12 pipeline, and civic leadership in the region

5. CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW CSUSB PRESIDENT S. TERRI GOMEZ

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to new Cal State San Bernardino President S. Terri Gomez. Dr. Gomez is a Valley College alumna with deep roots in the community and more than 25 years of service in higher education. I know she will continue to expand educational opportunity to students throughout the region and maintain strong ties with our campus. Congratulations, Dr. Gomez! Welcome home!

6. FTVM CHAIR LUCAS CUNY SPEAKS TO MFA STUDENTS ABOUT STORYTELLING

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

Lucas Cuny, chair of the Film, Television, and Media (FTVM) Department, spoke August 12, 2026, to Stephens College MFA in TV & Screenwriting students in Hollywood. His presentation, “Forging Your Own Path as a Storyteller,” drew on his experience producing and directing independent projects. He planned to discuss how writers can create their own opportunities, build careers through independent filmmaking, and navigate teaching at the community college level.

7. ART CHAIR MANDI BATALO BRINGS LEADERSHIP TO ACADEMIC MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES NATIONWIDE

▶  SBCCD Goals: 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

In June, art faculty chair Dr. Mandi Batalo served as a panelist at the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries Conference at the University of Iowa, where she presented on innovative uses of audio technology to enhance student and visitor engagement in SBVC’s Gresham Gallery. She also received one of a limited number of invitations extended nationwide to the convening Why Museums Matter: Creativity, Collaboration, and Community, taking place in October in Overland Park, Kansas. I’m grateful for Dr. Batalo’s leadership in academic museums and galleries and appreciate her hard work in connecting the community and our students to art.

📅  ON CAMPUS

Events, performances, and announcements from across the college

8. FALL 2026 OPENING DAY — FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 | LOIS CARSON CAMPUS CENTER & AUDITORIUM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2, 3, 4   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Health & Safety, Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

Thanks to each of you for making Fall 2026 Opening Day so memorable by honoring 100 years of history and looking boldly ahead to the next century.  Our Opening Day celebration was advancing community in action.  We showcased community partnerships with the marching band from Pacific High School, the cheer squad from Middle College High School, and a leadership panel with Colton Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Miranda, Rialto Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alejandro Alvarez, and San Bernardino Unified School District Superintendent Mauricio Arellano.  The strength of advancing community is all of us—the right people in the right place at the right time.

A recap video will be available on SBVC’s YouTube channel and distributed via email shortly.

9. THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING STUDENTS ON THEIR FIRST DAY OF CLASSES

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

Thank you for making 16,000-plus students’ first day experience so welcoming at our information booths, information table at the administration building, and around campus. A reminder that the digital blue kiosks where students can get information are operating, our new interactive map is live, and parking information, including details on passes and remote parking, is here. Valley Up!

10. ICE POPS WITH THE PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE CABINET — TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2026 | NORTH HALL LAWN | 1:00-2:30 PM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

My Executive Cabinet and I are hosting a meet and greet on the North Hall lawn tomorrow 1:00 to 2:30 PM. Students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to drop by to meet and talk with college executive leaders and enjoy a cold treat on what is sure to be another warm day.

11. DREAMERS ORIENTATION — THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026 | B-100 | 2:00 PM

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Career & Transfer, Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

Students can learn about services offered by the Dreamers Resource Center and Valley College at the Dreamers Orientation Thursday, August 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in B-100. We’re proud to support the success of all students as they begin their college journey.

12. BASIC NEEDS SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Health & Safety, Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

A reminder that there are many assistance programs available for our students. They can get food and essentials, housing and financial support, health and wellness resources, and transportation. They get more information and fill out a basic needs service request here. Thank you for making it possible for each student to thrive as they start a new academic year.

13. NEW CENTENNIAL PODCAST EPISODES

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1   |   SBVC Priorities: Boldly Student Centered, Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

The new episodes in our centennial podcast series feature centennial event planner and Professional Expert of the Year Barbara Bray and beloved, retired Planetarium Specialist Chris Clarke. Barbara was behind many of the 100-plus events held during our centennial year and helped create many core memories through her thoughtful planning and teamwork. Chris introduced tens of thousands of visitors to the stars and planets over 40 years at SBVC, and reflects on his deep roots at Valley.

The podcast shares stories behind our 100 years of impact, featuring conversations with those who helped shape Valley College and those leading us into the next century. Watch and listen to the podcast on YouTube and Spotify.

14. CATCH UP ON EVERYTHING HAPPENING AT VALLEY COLLEGE

▶  SBCCD Goals: 1, 2, 3   |   SBVC Priorities: Opportunities for All   |   Guiding Principle: Advancing Community

Read about what’s been happening on campus here and here.

Valley Up

Gil