Greetings, San Bernardino Valley College! 

 

Spring 2026 picks up pace this week with major activities taking place on campus. First, welcome to Black History Month!  We boldly embrace our identity as a Black Serving Institution making this year’s Black History Month a little more special at SBVC. I want to thank our facilities team for installing the Black History Month light pole banners in celebration of Black History Month. Please visit the website for more details about Black History Month activities at https://www.valleycollege.edu/bhm/.

  

On Tuesday (2/3), ESRI will tour SBVC and discuss strengthening partnerships with our team. On Thursday (2/5), I will be attending the inauguration of Chancellor S. Jack Hu at UC Riverside.  

  

Next Monday, February 9, 2026, I will be out of the office. VPAS Keith Bacon will be the administrator in charge. 

  

Some highlights for this week:   

 

  1. BLACK HISTORY MONTH BRUNCH: FEBRUARY 4, 2026 

There will be a special brunch to kick off Black History Month at 11 AM Wednesday in the Applied Technology Showroom. We will honor colleagues for their leadership, service and community impact while enjoying good food and live jazz. I want to thank everyone who contributed to our robust Black History Month calendar of events, especially Veada Benjamin and all of our teammates in BFSA. Space is limited, so please RSVP here. 

 

  1. STUDENT PROGRESS SURVEYS OPENING 

Student Progress Surveys for short-term classes in the first eight weeks of the spring term open February 3, 2026. These surveys allow Student Services to recognize student achievements early and provide timely support to those who may be struggling. By completing your surveys no later than February 10, 2026, you help ensure our students feel seen, supported, and set up for success. Thank you for the vital role you play in their journey. 

 

  1. PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE TASK FORCE 

The Participatory Governance Task Force continues the work to provide recommendations on how we redesign our committee structure, develop a participatory governance handbook, and create training activities as part of a participatory governance academy. I want to thank Tatiana Vasquez and Gabriel Martinez and the entire task force for all the hard work. This work continues to be a huge lift and it will undoubtedly transform our collective ownership of SBVC and inclusive decision-making for years to come. Last Friday, the task force shared additional recommendations with leaders from Academic Senate, ASG, Classified Senate, and me. Please follow College Council agendas and minutes as we continue this journey together -- https://www.valleycollege.edu/about-sbvc/campus-committees/college-council/index.php 

 

  1. PRESIDENT CONTRERAS PRESENTS TO THE SBVC NETWORKING CLUB (FEBRUARY 4, 2026) 

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, I will be joining our very own SBVC Networking Club to share about my role as President and the importance of networking in leadership. It is always a pleasure to connect with our student clubs and all of our students. I want to thank the student club president, Zackary Hebert ,and the faculty advisor, Fabian Torres.  Valley Up! 

 

  1. SBVC TO EXPLORE MEN OF COLOR ACTION NETWORK (MOCAN) CAMPUS CHARTER 

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, President’s Executive Cabinet will explore the feasibility of SBVC pursuing a MOCAN Campus Charter.  Thank you, Keenan Giles and Ula Matavao, for bringing this opportunity to our attention and for joining President’s Executive Cabinet to share more information. More information will be shared through participatory governance during the Spring 2026 semester. 

 

  1. NEW CENTENNIAL PODCAST EPISODE

The second episode in our new centennial podcast series features SBVC Hall of Fame alumnus and local higher education leader Dr. Louie F. Rodriguez. 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. The episode with Dr. Rodriguez is LIVE on YouTube and Spotify. Continue to watch our social media platforms for upcoming episode releases!  

 

  1. DEN2DEN ADS ON OMNITRANS BUSES

Ads for our Den2Den partnership with Cal State San Bernardino are now on Omnitrans buses! This increases community awareness of this fantastic partnership, where SBVC students can live at Cal State while attending Valley. We’re also grateful to be able to offer our students free rides on Omnitrans through their GoSmart college program.  

 

  1. SBVC CENTENNIAL COLUMN BY LOCAL HISTORIAN

Last week, San Bernardino historian and SBVC alumnus Nick Cataldo wrote about our centennial in his Sun history column. Nick shares milestone moments in our history and looks back fondly on his time as a student here. Check it out here.  

 

  1. CAMPUS CLOSED FOR LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY

A reminder that the campus is closed Friday, February 6, 2026 for Lincoln’s birthday. Enjoy the three-day weekend!  

  

  1. ‘VALLEY UP!’ CENTENNIAL MEMORY

We’ve been inviting students, employees, alumni, and community members to share what “Valley Up!” means to them as part of our centennial storytelling. This week, counselor Kristina Elpel sent us this photo:  

A group in front of SBVC Auditorium

She and SBCCD Trustee Frank Reyes told us that the photo includes, front row, from left: Unidentified, Congressman Joe Baca, Sr., state Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, SBVC and Cal State San Bernardino administrator Dr. Tom Rivera, community leader Ray Quinto, Juan Negrete of the San Bernardino County Housing Authority, SBVC counselor Kristina Elpel, and Rocket Rios, of Kiwanis Club of  San Bernardino. Second row, from left: unidentified, unidentified, Henry Calderilla of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Third row, from left: Graciano Gomez, editor and publisher of the Inland Empire Hispanic News, unidentified, Frank Reyes.

I hope some of you see familiar faces and enjoyed this special centennial memory. Thanks to Kristina for sharing it with us!  Submit your response at Valley Up! — San Bernardino Valley College.  

Valley Up! 

 Gil