Greetings, Wolverines!

Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope each of you had the chance to enjoy a little rest, reflect, reconnect, and re-energize as we head into the final stretch of the semester. There is a lot of excitement ahead, and I am so proud of how far we have come together this spring.

Please allow me to reflect for a moment on the memorial that was held this past Friday on campus honoring Dr. John Stanskas. I would like to thank our Chancellor, Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez for providing a heartfelt celebration that included many members of the campus and the community. We also had many statewide leaders, including college presidents, faculty leaders, and Dr. Sonya Christian, the California Community Colleges Chancellor.

Dr. John leaves a legacy of service and dedication not only to this college but to the entire California Community College system. His time as a faculty member, Academic Senate President, statewide Academic Senate President, Dean of Science, and as the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for the CCC was one that was spent advancing higher education, faculty, and student learning. In his memory, a scholarship fund has been created. If you able to donate, please indicate special instructions that the gift is for the Dr. John Stanskas Memorial Scholarship. Dr. John was devoted to his family & education and his love of both will continue to inspire for many years to come.

Here are some other highlights for this week:

1. MANAGEMENT RETREAT THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2025
This Friday, the SBVC management team will participate in a 1-day retreat at EDCT.  The team will focus on community building, leadership development, and leading with love.  Dr. Nohemy Ornelas, Vice Chancellor of Educational & Student Services, will be administrator in charge.  Dr. Ornelas will work from campus in the President’s Office serving as the administrator-in-charge for the day.  Noel Arciero, Administrative Assistant II in the President’s Office, will also be in the office to assist the Vice Chancellor.

2. LIBERAL ARTS FAREWELL – MARCH 26 AT 3:00 PM
This week, we gather to celebrate 55 Years of Service for our beloved Liberal Arts Building, as we prepare to retire this iconic space to make room for our future Student Services Building. Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26 at 3:00 PM for a heartfelt farewell in the Liberal Arts Courtyard. RSVP now at www.valleycollege.edu/55yearsofservice. We are also accepting last minute suggestions for items to be included in a time capsule, to be opened 55 years from now in the year 2080! What memories or messages would you want future Wolverines to discover?

3. BLACK-SERVING INSTITUTION (BSI) CONVENING – MARCH 27 AT 12:00 PM
A huge thank you to all who have already RSVP’d for this important conversation! The BSI Convening will take place on Thursday, March 27 at 12:00 PM in the Student Lounge. Lunch will be provided. We will review data, identify current and future efforts, and continue to define what it means to be a Black-Serving Institution. All are welcome—your voice matters!

4. SPOTLIGHTING OUR SUCCESS NOMINATIONS
This is our final week to nominate your colleagues for the 2025 Spotlighting Our Success Awards! Let’s celebrate the incredible contributions happening across campus every day. Nominate and view nominations at www.valleycollege.edu/spotlighting. Nominations close March 30 and award winners will be celebrated at the Spotlighting Awards ceremony on April 25, 2025 in the Applied Tech Building.

5. HONORING CESAR CHAVEZ
Next Monday, March 31st, the legacy of César Chávez will be observed. César Chávez was a civil rights activist and labor leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW), advocating for better wages and working conditions for farm laborers through nonviolent protests and strikes. His memory endures as a symbol of social justice, inspiring movements for workers' rights and Chicano/Latino empowerment.  MEChA de SBVC will host the annual Cesar Chavez Memorial Event this Wednesday, March 26 at 6pm in B-100.  This upcoming Saturday, Interim Vice President of Instruction, Leticia Hector, will represent SBVC at the 2025 Annual César E. Chávez Memorial Breakfast at CSU San Bernardino.

6. COMMENCEMENT COUNTDOWN: 9 WEEKS TO GO!
We are just 9 weeks away from Commencement 2025! The excitement is building as we help bring our students closer to walking across that stage. Let’s stay focused, stay supportive, and keep the momentum going!

This Wednesday, College Council will also be meeting. Agenda items this week include discussing the college’s plans for the centennial celebration coming next academic year, revisiting the charge and membership of College Council, and updates from Program Review as well as the Participatory Governance Task Force.

Thank you all for the heart, passion, and purpose you bring to SBVC each day.

Valley Up!

Gil