Greetings, San Bernardino Valley College!  

  

Last week, we had to postpone the topping off ceremony for the Student Services Building as well as my first pitch at the baseball game. We will provide you with updates when these items are rescheduled.    

  

I want to thank the Asian & Pacific Islander Association, especially Marie Maghuyop and all who organized the Lunar New Year pop-up last Wednesday in the Gresham Gallery. I was fortunate to catch the tail end of the event upon my return from the services for Thomas Berry. 

  

I also want to give a “Go Valley!” cheer for our men’s basketball team under head coach Quincy Brewer, which finished the season 23-5 and UNDEFEATED conference play. They begin postseason play Wednesday at home against College of the Canyons. Come and support men’s hoops in the playoffs!  

  

Some highlights for this week: 

 

  1. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME RECEPTION FOR NEW FACULTY TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 24, 2024)
    Please join us for a special President’s Welcome Reception as we officially welcome new faculty members to SBVC. The reception is 9:00 AM-10:00 AM Tuesday, February 24, 2026 in the President’s Conference Room. Light breakfast refreshments will be served. I hope you can stop by and meet our newest Wolverines!  

 

  1. THEATRE STUDENTS SHINE AT KENNEDY CENTER FESTIVAL
    Theater arts co-chair Melinda Fogle and 16 students participated in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Glendale from February 10-15, winning eight awards.  Students competed in acting, stage management, costume design, hair and makeup, lighting, props, and sound categories. Seven students were cast in new play program productions -- the highest number in the program’s history. Students also attended workshops, participated in auditions and interviews, watched performances, and connected with peers from across the region.  SBVC students’ eight award categories included MTI dance, hair and makeup design, lighting design, stage management, props design, and best actor for a new play program full‑length production. One student also earned an honorable mention for the region, serving as the alternate for the national festival.  I’m proud of the hard work of our theatre arts students and faculty! 

 

  1. MEN’S BASKETEBALL HEADED TO PLAYOFFS (WEDNESDAY AT HOME AT 7:00 PM) - FREE ADMISSION FOR SBVC STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
    The men’s basketball team finished the regular season undefeated in Inland Empire Athletic Conference play, winning their final 16 in a row. The Wolverines will open the postseason Wednesday at 7:00 PM against College of the Canyons. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $8 for students (with ID), faculty/staff, seniors (65+), and children (12 and younger). SBVC will pay for your ticket to support our team.  When you arrive at the game, be sure to provide your name and ID at the ticket booth. Thank you, Dr. David Grossman and David Rubio, for coordinating these efforts. 

 

  1. COFFEE WITH THE PEC TUESDAY (FEBRUARY 24, 2026)
    Our next Coffee with the President’s Executive Cabinet is 12 NOON -1:00 PM Tuesday, February 24, 2026 in the Planetarium. All are welcome to attend for discussion and refreshments.  

  

  1. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FINISHES STRONG
    The women’s basketball team finished the season with a 112-60 victory over Palo Verde on Friday. Destiny Melendez closed out her SBVC career by setting a new school standard for points in a single game, scoring 48 points in the game and besting the school mark of 42 set 25 years ago. She also finished the game with 13 rebounds and 10 steals. Fellow sophomore Maryanne Palacios finished with 26 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.  Go Wolverines!  

  

  1. SWEARING-IN FOR STATE SEN. ELOISE GOMEZ REYES AND STATE OF THE DISTRICT (FEBRUARY 28, 2026)
    This weekend, I will join members of the community for the swearing-in ceremony and State of the District Address for state Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in the Auditorium. The event will celebrate Sen. Gomez Reyes’ work representing Senate District 29 in Sacramento and will feature her reflection on progress made and her key legislative and community priorities for the year ahead. Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón and civil rights icon Dolores Huerta are expected to attend. 

 

  1. BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMEDY NIGHT SATURDAY (FEBRUARY 28, 2026)
    The Black Faculty & Staff Association is presenting “SBVC’s Laughing Together: A Black History Month Comedy Night” at 5:00 PM Saturday, February 28, 2026, in the Auditorium. Comedians will include Stacey Taylor Sr., Chris Sneed, Frantz Casseus and Omar Gooding. This is an 18-and-over event and those 21 and over can purchase alcohol. Admission is free and donations for student scholarships will be accepted. 

  

  1. NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE FOR A SPOTLIGHTING AWARD 
    Nominations for the Centennial Spotlighting Awards are open through February 27, 2026. Your nomination helps highlight the people and teams who make SBVC an exceptional place to learn and work, especially as we celebrate 100 years of service and excellence. Submit a nomination and review the updated process here.  

  

  1. CAL GRANT DEADLINE IS MARCH 2, 2026
    A reminder that the 2026-2027 deadline for the Cal Grant is March 2, 2026. The FAFSA/CADAA must be filled out by that date for grant award consideration.  The Financial Aid Office will hold workshops in B-217 on February 27, 8:30 AM-11:00 AM and 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, and March 2, 2026 9:00 AM-12:00 PM and 3:00 PM-6:00 PM.  

  

  1. WELLBEING + WALKING CHALLENGE MARCH 4, 2026
    The SBVC Wellbeing + Walking Challenge will be launched with a walkathon at the SBVC Stadium 11:00 AM-3:00 PM Wednesday, March 4, 2026. All abilities are welcome and participants can count adaptive or alternative forms of movement toward their participation. Looking forward to connecting with you at the walkathon! RSVP here.  

  

  1. NEW CENTENNIAL PODCAST EPISODES 
    The newest episodes in our centennial podcast series feature filmmaker Mariana Lapizco and Vice President of Instruction Leticia Hector. 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. All episodes are on YouTube and Spotify. Continue to watch our social media platforms for upcoming episode releases!  

   

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

   

Valley Up!   

 Gil