College Report: March 2024
Chevron Check Presentation
Another successful Women in Engineering Day was held on February 23 for more than 80 female students from local high schools who participated in hands-on workshops and demonstrations to introduce them to different engineering fields. The students came from The Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART), Career Technical Education Charter High School (CTEC), Edison High School, and Sunnyside High School. In addition, a $75,000 check was presented to the Engineering Program from Chevron. The grant will be used to support and promote STEM education, such as hosting workshops to provide local high school students the opportunity to participate in STEM-focused activities. The Education Matter KSEE news segment highlighted the event.
Softball Complex Ribbon Cutting
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly remodeled Softball Complex was held on March 5. The ceremony was held at noon before the 1 pm game against the College of the Sequoias Giants. The $5 million expansion is located behind the Gym in what was formerly known as parking Lot M off College Avenue. The renovations include improved bleachers allowing more spectators, an announcer’s booth, in-ground dugout enclosures, a batting cage area, two pitching warm-up areas, backstop fencing, field lighting, and new restrooms, a coach’s office and a snack bar.
Success for our Jazz Students
Congrats to the Fresno City College Jazz Ensemble! They performed for a fantastic crowd at the San Joquin Valley Jazz Festival on February 24. The band scored unanimous superior ratings, missing a perfect score by only a few points. Awards were given to saxophonist Chris Basham and Adam Band for outstanding musicianship. Our applied trombone professor, Barb Shinaver, runs the festival. Congratulations to her on an exceptional festival and to Paul Lucckesi and his students for their success!
Success for Students at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
Under the direction of theatre faculty, Summer Session-Plevney, our students had an amazing showing at the festival this year! FCC students won several awards in competition with four-year universities. Of special note, Elizabeth Heinrichs won the Region 8 competition for her Prop Design in the show, Hookman, and is the Region 8 representative for the national competition in Washington, DC!
Women's History Month
FCC kicked off Women’s History Month on March 7, by celebrating International Women’s Day, at Veterans Square. Opening remarks were given by SCCCD Chancellor Carole Goldsmith along with faculty, staff and students. This year’s theme is Inspire Inclusion and includes a wide range of events for the month that featuring self-defense workshops, poetry readings and a panel discussion.
Wind and Orchestra Festival Slated
The 4th annual Wind & Orchestra Festival will be held on March 18 and 19 for junior high and high school musicians and orchestras from the region. The Gala Concert will be held on March 18 featuring the FCC Symphony Orchestra and guest high school orchestras. The two-day event will culminate with the Festival Celebration Concert on March 19 at 7:30 pm in the FCC Theatre. Donations will be accepted at the door for both concerts with a $10 suggested donation. View the performing arts calendar for all dates and times.
City Jazz
The City Jazz Festival is slated for March 21 and 22 in the Theatre and will feature Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Bijon Watson in concert on March 21. Students from over 30 junior high and high school music programs will participate in the student performances and workshops throughout the two-day event.
Central Valley Guitar Summit
Middle and high school guitar students will once again be invited to participate in the annual Guitar Summit to be held on March 15 in the Old Administration Building Auditorium. The concert featuring Janet Noguera, a modern fingerstyle guitarist, will begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 and available through the FCC Box Office.
Social Justice Center Opening
Mark your calendars for another important event, the grand opening of the new Social Justice Center. The Social Justice Center, located in OAB 139, will officially open on Thursday, March 21 at 11 a.m. in the OAB West Courtyard with a grand opening ceremony. The mission of the Social Justice Center is to engage the campus and greater community in cultivating and promoting social justice and equity on campus, locally, nationally, and globally. The Social Justice Center will include computers with databases with campus, local, national, and global resources for social justice-related issues; space for social justice-themed events which can be used by students, faculty, and staff; a library of books on social justice topics; student art; and video projection of social justice-themed films and presentations.
Men of Color Summit
The 3rd annual State Center Community College District Men of Color Summit will feature Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District, as keynote speaker Friday, March 22, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Fresno City College. All four colleges of State Center Community College District participate in bringing students from local high schools. This year, over 500 high school students will attend and learn about careers in business, education and college athletics.
Pizza With the President
On March 11, President Robert Pimentel hosted a Pizza with the President student meeting at the West Fresno Center. On Tuesday, March 19, he will hold a second lunch event at the main campus in the Student Activities Lounge at noon. These events give the President the chance to meet students in person to present campus updates and answer questions.
High School Journalism Conference
Another successful High School Journalism Conference was held Friday, March 1 in the Old Administration Building. Almost 200 high school students from local and valley high schools attended. Each student attended three workshops facilitated by local professional journalists representing broadcast news, print, radio, documentaries, mobile production, community media and digital news. Students also learned more about the FCC student newspaper The Rampage and the journalism program at FCC.
Successful Job Fair
The Career and Employment Center orchestrated a very successful job fair to help SPAN Construction and Engineering from Madera recruit applicants to fill 200 job openings. Job developer Mary Beth Wynn reports that at least 700 applicants attended the job fair. Mary Beth and representatives spent two weeks promoting the job fair on local TV news interview shows. They were able to discuss the growing job prospects while also highlighting the kinds of partnerships that the CEC has with local employers.
Pep and Cheer Competition
Congratulations to the Fresno City College Cheer Team who placed first in their division on February 17 at the USA Collegiate Championships in Anaheim. Coach Rachel White says this is the first time FCC has participated in this national competition. They competed in the 2-Year College All-Girl Show Cheer Intermediate Division. Here is video of their routine. This is Coach Rachel’s first year as FCC’s Cheer and Stunt team. She is a highly experienced and accomplished cheer coach whose teams have won many top honors locally and in the Bay Area. A former Fresno State Cheerleader, she has a passion for empowering athletes and promoting the sport of cheerleading. The team was also featured on a segment on KSEE24’s Central Valley Today.
Basketball Playoffs
Congratulations to the Women’s basketball team who captured the Central Valley Conference Championship with a perfect 12-0 record. Head coach Alex Fletcher was named CVC Coach of the Year and guard Madison Johnson was named CVC League MVP and 1st Team All State. Corin Camara, Briajanae Wade and Angela Whitfield were named to the CVC 1st Team All -League with Elise LeBeau and Aleyah Higa were named to the CVC All-League 2nd Team. The team is now headed to the playoffs and are ranked #3 in the state.
