College Report: March 2023
Mexico Trip
FCC President Dr. Robert Pimentel was part of an SCCCD delegation that traveled to Mexico to meet and find more information on a variety of topics that would benefit the district. Meetings were held with the director of the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and his staff to discuss expanding the international student program through outreach and recruitment to Mexico. Meetings were also held with Chancellor Juan Marquez of the Universidad Mexiquense del Bicentenario and his cabinet that included the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Economic and Workforce Development to discuss the expansion of faculty and student exchange programs. During the visit a special fire training also took place in the town of Valle de Bravo where FCC Fire Science instructors provided training curriculum for their firefighters.
2023 Men of Color Summit
The second annual Men of Color Summit will be held at Fresno City College on Friday, March 24 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. The event will invite all high school male seniors in the SCCCD service area. Workshops will be presented and include navigating and succeeding in school; life options and choices; and understanding how a college education equates to earn more money. Many of the education leaders in the Central Valley who are men of color will serve as presenters.
Express Registration Slated
Nine-week short-term classes begin March 13. To assist those who would like to start or add classes, the college will hold one in-person Express Registration day on Saturday, March 11 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the FCC Library.
Women's History Month
FCC will kick-off Women’s History Month on International Women’s Day March 8. The theme this year is Embrace Equity. The March 8 event will be held in Veterans Square and will feature guest speakers who will share their visions for a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. On March 23, Susan Burton, the founder of A New Way of Life, a non-profit organization that provides housing and other support to formerly incarcerated women, will speak at 2:00 pm in the OAB Auditorium. On March 30, a Celebration of Women Writers will be held in the OAB East Courtyard from 2:00 – 2:30 pm.
KVPR/NPR's Health Panel
On March 2, Jenn White, host of National Public Radio’s 1A Remaking America Initiative held a health panel in the FCC Old Administration Building Auditorium to discuss the state of health care in our community. The panel included State Senator Ana Caballero, Dr. Simon Paul, Public Health Officer from the Madera County Department of Health and Karen Paolinelli, CEO of Madera Community Hospital. The event was recorded for potential later use in a national broadcast of 1A.
Theatre Department Showcases Two Productions
The Brothers Grimm hit the stage March 3 and 4. Directed by Janine Christl with the tour direction by Karina Balfour, the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm were turned on their heads with a fast paced, rollicking ride. This production is also going on the road with performances in March and April at regional high schools that include, Central, Selma, Tulare, Laton, Madera South, Fresno, Edison, Roosevelt, Sunnyside and Bullard.
A second theatre production, The One Act Play That Goes Wrong, will run March 10 through the 19. Directed by James Knudsen, the comedy won Best New Comedy at the 2015 Laurence Olivier Awards and follows the antics of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society and their attempts to perform a 1920s murder mystery. Tickets and performance times for all theatre and music events are on the Performing Arts page.
March Music Events
A World Music Concert performance will be held on March 10 at 7:30 pm in the OAB Auditorium featuring the FCC Choirs who will take you on a musical journey around the world. It will feature music from composers such as Rosephanye Powell, Kentaro Sato, Javier Busto and Ken Stevens. Come and enjoy folk songs from various musical traditions across the globe.
On March 21 pianist Dr. Ann DuHamel will perform in the OAB Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. She will perform Prayers for a Feverish Planet, new and recently composed music about the climate crisis. She is currently an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Minnesota, Morris, where she devotes herself to the mission of sharing high quality traditional and contemporary classical music with students and the greater community.
The City Jazz Festival is slated for Thursday, March 23 in the Theatre and will feature saxophonist and composer, Hailey Niswanger. Students from over 30 junior high and high school music programs will participate in the student performances throughout the day.
Elements of the Arts Foundation Fundraiser
FCC will once again host the State Center Community College Foundation’s scholarship fundraising gala. This year’s event, the Elements of the Arts, will showcase our students’ artistic abilities throughout our colleges including theatrical acts, musical performances, artwork and more. The fundraiser be held outdoors in front of the historic Library on Saturday March 18 at 6:00 pm.
Virtual Job Fair
The 2023 Spring Virtual Job Fair is now underway and will continue through March 17. There are many job opportunities from close to 50 employers for students to find full-time and part-time jobs, internships, and seasonal positions. To see a complete list, go to www.fresnocitycollege.edu/cec.
Barbershop Talk
Barbershop Talk is a pilot outreach effort designed to reach young men of color who have indicated they are not going to attend college after high school graduation. The recruitment is scheduled for March 15 at a local barber shop in partnership with Fresno Unified School District. Fresno High School seniors are invited to discuss their reasons for not attending college and speakers will address their concerns and misconceptions while they get free haircuts. Two sessions will be offered and students will receive a free dinner and giveaways.
Mariachi Festival
Fresno City College will host the inaugural High School Mariachi Festival on Saturday, March 25 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The festival will include Folklórico dance and a Mariachi competition with prizes awarded to the top schools. The festival is designed to bring high school students together to showcase their talents and to have fun. The festival will include food trucks, vendors and Fresno City College information for students and their families. Major donors include Ruiz Foods contributing $5000 and Fiesta Auto Insurance donating $3000.
Raising the Glass for Success
The FCC Latino Faculty and Staff Association is hosting their annual fundraiser on Friday, March 31 from 6:00 – 10:00 pm in the Old Administration Building East Courtyard. It will be a night of music, food, wine and a silent auction to benefit the Monica Criado-Cuevas Memorial Scholarship. Tickets are $40 and are available at Brown Paper Tickets.
Wind and Orchestra Festival
On March 28 and 29 the third annual Wind and Orchestra Festival will take place featuring 20 high school orchestras and wind ensembles. A gala concert will be held on March 28 at 7:30 pm in the FCC Theatre. More details and ticket information can be found at Fresno City College online ticket sales.
Sports Update
Volleyball Team Earns State Recognition
The 2021 women’s volleyball team was selected as a California Community College Athletic Association Scholar Team. Ten players from this team had a 3.5 or higher GPA. The team and head coach Kieran Roblee will be recognized during the CCCAA Celebration of Scholar-Athletes on March 29 in Sacramento.
Women’s Wrestling Starts Inaugural State Sanctioned Season
The women’s wrestling team will host the first State Dual on March 11 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Head Coach Paul Keysaw and Assistant Coach Gracie Figueroa are ready for this historic competition. All 12 California women’s teams will compete in the first ever state team title. On March 2, the FCC Rams hosted the first ever women’s wrestling match against Sacramento City College.
Basketball Teams in Post Season
The season has ended for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The women’s team lost to Sierra College 85-71. They finished the season with a 24-5 record with three players named to the All-Conference Teams. Daeja Holmes from Hoover High School earned 1st Team All State and 1st Team All Central Valley Conference. Jayla Green from Central High School earned 1st Team All Central Valley Conference and Kelsey Delgado from Clovis High School earned 2nd Team All Central Valley Conference. On the men’s side, the team lost 79-76 in the second-round playoffs to San Jose City College. Their overall record is 20-8 with sophomore Sage Borbon earning 1st Team All Central Valley Conference. Check out all the athletic competitions at fccrams.com.
