Report to Board: October 2024
Kathy Bonilla Remembered
We unexpectedly lost our dear friend and colleague on September 7. Kathy served as the Public Information Officer for over 32 years and was an exceptional Classified Professional. She will be deeply missed by her fellow colleagues, faculty, students and administrators. Kathy was known for her quick wit, sense of humor and kindness toward everyone she met. She was the voice and image of FCC, who led both internal and external communications and was also involved in numerous committees. The campus held a memorial service in her honor on September 16. GV Wire and the Business Journal recognized her life and career in their publications.
Child Development Ribbon Cutting
On October 11, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the new Child Development Center at 10:00 a.m. The state-of-the-art two-story building is 22,000 square feet and houses programs in early education and childcare services. Contemporary features include a food program service with a commercial kitchen to serve a warm breakfast and lunch to children and observation rooms that allow FCC students to observe teaching activities without disturbing the classes. All childcare, outside playground, student observation spaces, and commercial kitchen are located on the first floor. The second floor houses college classrooms, faculty offices, break room and conference rooms.
Accreditation Update
Fresno City College will have an Accreditation visit in February 2025. The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Peer Review Team for FCC has reviewed the FCC Institutional Self-Evaluation Report. As part of the process, the ACCJC Peer Review Team will hold a campus forum to provide faculty, staff and students to the opportunity to provide input. The forum is scheduled for October 8 from 12-1 p.m. via Zoom.
Undocumented Student Action Week
The 2024 Undocumented Student Action Week will kick off on October 14 in the OAB West Courtyard from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with the theme “Let’s Taco about Resources”. The event is open to students, faculty and staff who will have the opportunity to connect with campus and community resources that support Dreamers. A series of workshops and special presentations will include how to become an entrepreneur, the work of Hearts without Borders and a review of California laws that help immigrants.
Biology Week
The FCC Biology Department has organized a variety of activities for Biology Week slated from October 7 through 10. Most activities will be held in the Science Building on the First floor. There will be demonstrations with a virtual dissection table (Anatomage), small dissections, microscopes, DNA extraction and tours of the Natural Museum of History located on the second floor.
Disability Awareness Day
The Disabled Student Program and Services Department will host Disability Awareness Day on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on University Mall. The event is designed to promote Disability Awareness by connecting agencies and businesses that provide programs, services, products, and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. In addition, the event will celebrate diversity and understanding of people with disabilities on campus and in our community. The event is free and open to the public.
Fall Carnival
The FCC Fall Carnival will take place on Friday, October 25 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm on University Mall. The annual event provides family friendly and safe fun. Admission is free. Enjoy free candy, games, performers, photo booths, food trucks, science demonstrations, a haunted house and a pumpkin patch. The Fall Carnival is sponsored by the Student Activities Office and the Student Interclub Council.
Friends of the Arts
Celebrate and support the Friends of the Arts at their annual fundraiser Toasting the Arts on October 18. Dinner, entertainment and an auction will be held in the OAB East Courtyard. Wine and light hors d’oeuvres begin at 6:00 p.m. with dinner served at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $65 each, $125 for two or a table of 8 for $850 and various sponsorships are available. Tickets can be purchased online.
Habitat for Humanity
On Wednesday, September 18, Habitat for Humanity recognized the FCC Electronic Systems Technology (EST) program for their weekly contributions to complete electrical systems in their homes. During the event, a video was presented highlighting the incredible partnership FCC has with Habitat for Humanity. The electrical work that is done benefits the families in need of housing and enriches the education and growth of EST students who volunteer. Special thanks to EST instructors Jose Platas, Danile Sayre and Frank Zendejas. Habitat for Humanity Partnership Video.
FCC Social Justice Center Update
A “shop talk” series and open forums will be held in the Social Justice Center (OAB 139) throughout the fall semester. EOPS Counselor Rodney Murphy will lead the discussion on October 1 at 11:00 a.m. on Self-Efficacy and Rising from Poverty: How motivated are you to succeed? FCC English instructor and poet, Lee Herrick will conduct an informal moderated open forum regarding various social justice topics and will focus on questions and concerns from students. The student forum is scheduled for October 8 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
DSMCHS Announced as Blue Ribbon School!
We are proud to share the U.S. Secretary of Education has announced Design Science Middle College High School (DSMCHS) as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School! It is through the collaboration with Fresno Unified School District, Fresno City College and State Center Community College District that this specialized dual-enrollment program receives this recognition from the US Department of Education. DSMCHS representatives will travel to Washington DC in November to officially receive the award.
Lee Herrick Book Release
FCC English instructor and California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick will have a book launch and signing on Friday, October 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Tower Yoga in the Tower District. In Praise of Late Wonder is Lee’s most personal collection of poems to date, he shares his adoption experience from Korea in more than 25 new memoir-like prose poems. The book also includes a section of new poems, as well as highlights from his previous five books.
Ram Health Fair
The 3rd annual Ram Health Fair was held on September 25 on University Mall and was sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Binational of Central California. There were health-related vendors who provided free services for students and staff. Some free services included: blood pressure and heart rate screenings, health education, COVID & flu vaccines, Medi-Cal & CalFresh Enrollments, WIC Services, and Narcan distributions. A community blood drive was also held by the Central CA Blood Center and Cayenne Wellness Center.
October Concert Performance
The Fine, Performing and Communication Arts Division have a variety of concerts planned during October that include the Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Composers Orchestra, the Fresno Community Concert Band and the Fall Choral Festival. Check out the Performing Arts Calendar for specific dates and times.
Asians in the City
The Asians in the City Conference will be held in the Staff Dining Room on Friday, October 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participation is free and open to anyone with an interest in learning more about the Asian culture. Hands-on workshops will include SPAM musubi & US Imperialism, Lao Lanterns & traditional festivals, papaya salad & Lao American culture, Japanese bracelet workshop, and Sungka (Filipino ancient board game). Registration is requested.
Sports Update
On September 13, Head Women’s Soccer Coach Oliver Germond notched his 400th career win against Lake Tahoe Community College. He has been coaching at FCC for 24 Years with 29 former players named as All-Americans in the last 18 years by United Soccer Coaches. Germond has been named the Central Valley Conference Coach of the Year 14 times, National Coach of the Year twice in 2014 and 2017 and his team was the 2017 State Champions with an undefeated season. His teams have won 16 Central Valley Conference Championships with eight final four championship appearances.
The Ram Football team, currently ranked 4th in the state, started their season strong, winning their first three games. Their next two opponents are former state champions City College of San Francisco and the current title holder, College of San Mateo.
Women’s Volleyball is currently 10-4 with decisive wins over Reedley and Merced in September. They are currently ranked 6th in the state. Check out all the Ram Athletics on Presto.
