Greetings, Valley College!  

 

Happy Women’s History Month! As we begin March, we celebrate the contributions, leadership, and impact of women throughout history and here at SBVC. We are grateful for the many women across our campus community who help shape Valley College every day.

 
What an incredible weekend for all of us Wolverines. We started Friday by celebrating Literacy Activity Day with our little Wolverines in the Child Development Center. Thank you to Sandy Karge and Leticia Hector for an inspiring morning. Our Communications Department also hosted a campus memorial in honor of Thomas Berry. Thank you to Suzi Mattson, Carol Damgen, Davena Burns-Peters, and everyone involved in planning this powerful event in the Gresham Art Gallery.
 
On Saturday, Valley College hosted the installation ceremony for Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes! SBVC at its best! I especially want to acknowledge VPAS Keith Bacon, Sergio Zazueta, Barbara Bray, and the entire Facilities team for a truly signature event. In the evening, BFSA hosted Laughing Together: A Black History Month Comedy Night! Thank you to the BFSA, Keenan Giles, April Dale, and Barbara Bray. Special thanks to VPSS Yvonne Gutierrez-Sandoval and Dean Nori Sogomonian for supporting the festivities.
 
I also traveled to Mt. SAC to support our men’s basketball team in the second round of the playoffs. Our team battled hard, but in the end, the Mounties got the victory. Kudos to Coach Quincy Brewer for another incredible season and to the men’s basketball program—we are proud of you! Special thanks to Dean Ray Carlos for cheering on our Wolverines.
 
I hope you are able to participate in the Wellbeing + Walking Challenge on Wednesday at the Stadium. Additionally, the SBCCD Black Faculty & Staff Association is holding its Black Art Expo on Saturday in the Gym.

  

Some highlights for this week: 

 

1. 2026–2027 FINANCIAL AID — CSAC PRIORITY DEADLINES

The 2026–2027 FAFSA and CADAA are now open! Students planning to transfer to a four-year university: the CSAC priority deadline is March 2, 2026. Students attending a community college: your priority deadline is September 2, 2026. We strongly encourage all students to complete their FAFSA or CADAA as soon as possible to be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid available, including Cal Grants, Federal Work-Study (FWS), and FSEOG. Funds are limited and awarded to eligible students who apply early. If you need assistance, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

 

2. VPI LETICIA HECTOR ATTENDING ACCELERATED ED 2026 (MARCH 2–5, 2026)

Throughout the convening, participants will explore critical questions about scaling with quality. The Commission on Purposeful Pathways will release its report, which will provide a framework for learning and engagement. The convening focuses on integrating foundational components of high-quality pathways, including advising, dual enrollment, work-based learning, and building social capital. There will be special attention to what sustainable infrastructure truly means through employer engagement models, integrated data systems, and advising approaches that enable rather than silo pathway components. Thank you, VPI Leticia Hector, for representing Valley College.

 

3. SBVC REPRESENTING AT A2MEND CONFERENCE: MARCH 5–6, 2026

Thank you to Dean Carmen Rodriguez and the Division of Student Equity & Success for providing students with the opportunity to participate in the A2MEND Conference this year. President Contreras, VPAS Keith Bacon, and VPSS Yvonne Gutierrez-Sandoval will also attend the conference. VPI Leticia Hector will be attending the Accelerated Ed Conference during that time.

 

4. WELLBEING + WALKING CHALLENGE WEDNESDAY (MARCH 4, 2026 AT 11:00 AM)

The SBVC Wellbeing + Walking Challenge will launch with a walkathon at the SBVC Stadium from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. All abilities are welcome, and participants may count adaptive or alternative forms of movement toward their participation. Thank you to Jeffrey Huynh, Shyla Cobbett and VPAS Keith Bacon for leading these efforts. We look forward to connecting with you at the walkathon!

 

5. BLACK ART EXPO SATURDAY: MARCH 7, 2026 AT 4:00 PM

The SBCCD Black Faculty & Staff Association’s third annual Black Art Expo will take place from 4:00–8:00 PM on Saturday, March 7, 2026, in the Gym. Art mediums will include paintings, drawings, sculpture, digital art, and experimental works. Thank you to BFSA President Veada Benjamin-Hill for organizing this wonderful event.

 

6. STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING TOPPING-OFF CEREMONY: MARCH 16, 2026

The topping-off ceremony for the Student Services Building is now scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026, at 12 PM. Please join us as we mark this milestone in our centennial year. More information will be forthcoming.

 

7. RIALTO STUDENTS VISIT SBVC

The NextUp program welcomed more than 100 Rialto Unified School District high school and middle school foster youth and McKinney-Vento youth to SBVC last month. Students learned about specialized support programs, heard powerful stories from NextUp leaders, and enjoyed interactive games. They toured the campus and connected with staff and faculty at a resource fair. Thank you to Joanne Hinojosa, Cynthia Bernal, Rocio Martinez, Naila Popat, and the EOPS/NextUp team for organizing this impactful campus visit.

 

8. NEXTUP HOSTS WALDEN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT CONFERENCE

The NextUp program hosted an education and employment conference on February 21, 2026, for 112 foster youth from Walden Family Services. Organizers shared housing options and educational opportunities, highlighting SBVC’s academic pathways and specialized support services. Students were invited envision themselves in a college environment, ask questions, and connect with resources. Shout out to organizers Joanne Hinojosa and Cynthia Bernal!

 

9. PUENTE RECOGNIZES FACULTY MEMBER AND COUNSELOR

Last week, English Professor Alma G. López and Puente Project Counselor Elizabeth Banuelos received stoles at the Puente 2026 Spring Gathering “for not only being Puentistas in our own SBVC Puente Program but also returning to serve as the counselor and English faculty at our alma mater,” Professor López reports. The Puente Project is a statewide transfer program consisting of counseling, mentoring, and writing components. Congratulations!

 

10. PRESIDENT CONTRERAS TO PARTICIPATE IN WHEELHOUSE CEO COHORT 9 (MARCH 8–10, 2026)

President Contreras will participate in the esteemed Wheelhouse CEO Cohort 9.  Wheelhouse creates space for leaders to connect, recharge, and explore innovative approaches as they lead through the dynamic landscape of higher education, social justice, and economic opportunity.  Cohort 9 Fellows will participate in 3 intensive convenings hosted at UCLA and University of California, Davis. These gatherings feature dynamic case study discussions, collaborative peer learning, and meaningful reflection – all designed to strengthen equity-centered leadership and institutional transformation for greater student success. VPSS Yvonne Gutierrez-Sandoval will be in charge.

 

11. NEW CENTENNIAL PODCAST EPISODE: FRANCISCO GONZALEZ

The newest episode in our centennial podcast series features aeronautics chair Francisco Gonzalez. 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!   

 

12. SHARE A CENTENNIAL MEMORY

We have 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