College Report: February 2024
West Fresno Center Ribbon Cutting
It may have been a chilly morning, but that didn’t stop the more than 300 people from coming out to celebrate the completion of the West Fresno Center with an official ribbon cutting on Thursday, January 25. The ceremony brought out many of the community members who helped shape the concept of the center that will bring collegiate opportunities to the West Fresno Community. Others who played big roles in the creation of the center also attended, including advocates, proponents, donors, legislators, and students from the Advanced Transportation Center. The ceremony also received a high amount of news media coverage both locally and internationally. Here is some of the coverage from ABC30, GV Wire and Prime Asia TV.
Spring Semester Exceeds Enrollment Goal
Spring enrollment is robust with FCC exceeding its enrollment goal by close to 5%. As of this date, more than 23,000 students are enrolled. That number la is expected to increase when the second 9-week classes begin on March 11.
Free Shuttle Services for Students
When the new semester began, so did new transportation options for registered students. In partnership with Fresno EOC, Fresno City College began a shuttle service between the main campus and the West Fresno Center. There are two pick up and drop off times Monday – Thursday. Students from Kerman also have the option of taking free transportation between Kerman and the main campus (Monday – Friday). At the beginning there was only one route, but a second route was added when it became obvious there was a need. Free shuttle service on the main campus between parking lots also returned.
U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler visits West Fresno Center
Senator Laphonza Butler held an open house at the West Fresno Center on January 26, one of her first public events since being appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom last fall. She spoke to students from FCC, and neighboring Edison High School, Edison Computech Middle School, and Gaston Middle School. The open house emphasized services available through her office and outlined her vision for the rest of her term.
SLO Conference
FCC hosted the 11th Annual Student Learning Outcomes Symposium on January 26 and 27. The virtual conference was held with over 1000 participants from 33 countries. The keynote speaker was Dr. Corbin Campbell, a professor in the School of Education from American University.
Ventura College Visit
The FCC Early College Program hosted administrators from Ventura College and Ventura County Community College District on January 26. The day included a campus tour of Design Science Middle College High School and a student panel and discussion regarding the successful middle college high school at the college. The day ended at Central High School to visit their early college program, dual enrollment classes, and a student panel.
Career and Employment Center Job Fairs
The Career and Employment Center is helping local employers get the word out about job opportunities by conducting job fairs and hiring webinars. CEC held an Early Care and Education Job Fair on February 3 for agencies that were looking to hire teachers, teacher assistants, office assistants, support staff, substitutes, and more.
Students who want to learn about opportunities at the Federal Correctional Institution in Mendota can get help with applying for federal jobs at a virtual information meeting on Tuesday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m.
CEC is also holding a job fair to assist SPAN Construction and Engineering, Inc. of Madera in recruiting applicants to fill 200 job openings in the upcoming months. The job fair will be held in the FCC Staff Dining Room on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. SPAN is a commercial and industrial construction firm that recently received exclusive contracts to build all new Costco and Home Depot stores.
Black History Month
Opening Ceremonies for Black History Month were held on February 1 in the OAB Auditorium. This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Empowering Black Culture.” Other events in the month of February include topics about wellness, the performing arts, a book lecture, a scholarship workshop, and a closing ceremony on February 29. To see all the events for Black History Month, visit the webpage.
HBCU Event
The Transfer Center will host over 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities on Tuesday, February 13 at 1:30 pm in the Old Administration Building Room 251. This free event provides students with additional opportunities to transfer. Students who are interested in transferring are offered on the spot admissions and scholarships. There will also be free food and drawings.
Speakers Forum
On February 28, the FCC Speakers Forum will welcome Hip Hop legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Chuck D to campus. Known as a founding member of the pioneering group Public Enemy, Chuck D will discuss the cultural impact of hip hop over the st fifty years and his illustrious career. huck D is also a visual artist whose work has been shown in galleries nationwide and the author of several books featuring his art. He has served as national spokesperson for Rock The Vote, the National Urban League, the National Alliance of African American Athletes, Hip Hop Public Health, and as Chairman of the Celebrity Board for the forthcoming Universal Hip Hop Museum in New York.
Music Students receive national award
The Fresno City College Collegiate Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) has been selected as co-recipient of the 2024 MTNA Collegiate Chapter of the Year. They will share the award with Indiana University. According to faculty advisor Dr. Brandon Bascom, FCC is the only college in California to get this award and the only community college anywhere. Members of the student chapter of MTNA at FCC are students who are pursuing careers in music education. They are studying piano, flute, cello, guitar, and commercial music. Chapter president Kevin Soto says their members have been able to present at conferences, perform in a masterclass, and study abroad in Italy. The award will be presented at the MTNA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia on March 19.
40 under 40 award
Dr. Kalisha Spomer was named on the annual list of 40 Under 40 young professionals in December by the Business Street Media Group. The 40 Under 40 program honors professionals in the private and public sectors of Central California who have yet to reach the age of 40 having demonstrated a strong work ethic and leadership. Dr. Spomer, the Interim Director of Student Success Programs in EOPS, has worked at FCC since 2019.
Puffs Theatre Production
The FCC Theatre Department is presenting Puffs, a clever and inventive play that follows an adventure of three potential heroes trying to make it through a magic school. The New York Times proclaims Puffs as a fast-paced romp through seven increasingly eventful years at a Certain School of Magic. The production starts on March 1 through 9. Check all dates and times on the theatre web page.
BBQ with the president
President Pimentel will host a BBQ lunch with Fire and Police cadets at the First Responders campus on Thursday, February 15 at noon. This is the first time a lunch with the president event will be held at the campus.
Sports Update
The women’s soccer team had four players named as All- Americans by United Soccer Coaches for 2023. Kellyann Rodriguez from Clovis and Alyssa White from Clovis East were named All-American. Audrey Haman from Sanger and Isabella O’Neal from Kerman were selected as Scholar All-Americans both with perfect 4.0 GPAs. The women’s soccer team now has 31 All-American players named in the last 18 years.
The women’s basketball team is having another strong season with an overall record of 18-4. They are on a 9-game winning streak and have scored in triple digitals several times this season. The men’s team is 11-9 overall this season and hope to finish their season strong. The Beach Volleyball team will start their season in February. The softball team is looking forward to opening their newly remodeled facility in February with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
