WHITTIER – Rio Hondo College will host about 160 high school counselors from three area school districts as well as officials from other local high schools for its fifth annual Regional Counselor Breakfast at 8 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19.

The event, which runs through 11:30 a.m., will be held in the Rio Café at the Rio Hondo College campus, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.

“This event has become a valuable touchstone for Rio Hondo and our high school partners,” Superintendent/President Teresa Dreyfuss said. “It allows us to present our latest efforts to support students in their pursuit of college and career goals as well as to learn from the counselors about current student needs.”

This year’s breakfast focuses on the College’s effort to support student success, including an effort to guide students along the pathway from high school through college and into careers.

Counselors will also receive an update on the Rio Promise, an initiative launched in spring 2017 that covers first-year tuition costs for local high school graduates, as well as presentations about the College’s transfer, honors and STEM programs.

College officials will highlight academic instruction in business, fire technology and graphic design. Rio Hondo College’s extensive career technical education (CTE) program will also take the stage. Guests will be invited to tour campus CTE facilities.

“This annual get-together exemplifies Rio Hondo College’s commitment to serving its community,” Board of Trustees President Madeline Shapiro said. “It’s absolutely critical that we share all of the innovative methods we have crafted to ensure student success so that area schools have the information they need to effectively guide our region’s youth.”