Río Hondo College (RHC) staff and community donors brought holiday joy to 140 student parents and 385 children through the Basic Needs Center’s annual Holiday Toy Distribution on Dec. 16, offering toys, food and festive activities on campus. Student parents and their children strolled through a festive celebration during the Holiday Toy Distribution. Families paused along the way for a series of activities, including holiday crafts, movies, games and food. Parents had the opportunity to browse a “shopping area” of toys arranged by age group at the event, where they could pick the perfect toy for their child before heading to a gift-wrapping station.
Río Hondo College (RHC) welcomed new Board of Trustees member Yarisma Rocha and re-elected Trustee Kristal Orozco during an oath of office ceremony that preceded the Río Hondo Community College District (RHCCD) Board of Trustees meeting on Dec. 13. Rocha and Orozco were each elected to four-year terms on the RHCCD Board to represent Trustee Areas 2 and 4, respectively, during the November general election. The Board also elected Oscar Valladares as the new president, while Rosaelva Lomeli was selected to serve as vice president and Yarisma Rocha assumed the clerk position during its annual reorganization meeting.
Río Hondo College (RHC) will undertake a series of construction projects for essential upgrades and repairs in alignment with its institutional mission to provide affordable access to higher education and job training to Los Angeles County students, thanks to the passing of Measure RH. Río Hondo College, which celebrated 60 years of serving the community in 2023, will utilize the bond dollars to address safety and accessibility issues on campus, as well as modernize classrooms, labs and facilities to better prepare students for careers or university transfer. Measure RH, a $442.2 million facilities bond, passed with more than 64% of the vote from Río Hondo Community College District voters, clearing the 55% approval rate needed for local bonds to pass on the November ballot.[1]
Rio Hondo College (RHC) will continue expanding its academic offerings as part of its mission to remove barriers to higher education when it releases its Bachelor of Science in Electronic Digital Instrument (EDI), Performance and Production of Electronic Music in fall 2025. The launch of the new bachelor’s program will make Río Hondo College the only school in the California Community College system to offer a bachelor’s in EDI Performance and Production, according to Dr. George Wheeler, interim dean of Arts, Business, and Cultural Programs. It will also be RHC’s second baccalaureate program alongside its Automotive Technology degree, which debuted in fall 2016. RHC’s mission is to provide students with affordable, innovative programming that offers clear pathways leading to in-demand career opportunities. The College’s newest bachelor’s degree builds on its EDI Associate of Science Degree and is designed for students passionate about electronic music.
Río Hondo College (RHC) proudly announces First-Gen Week, a special celebration from Nov. 4–7, 2024, to honor the achievements, resilience and contributions of students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Events throughout the week are open to the public, and the College invites students, families, educators and residents of surrounding communities to join the festivities.
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, recently elected Río Hondo College (RHC) Board of Trustee Oscar Valladares as Secretary-Treasurer. ACCT represents more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1,200 community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond. As a Dreamer and product of the community college system, Valladares emphasized the importance of his lived experience and how that shapes his work.
Río Hondo College’s (RHC) Nursing Program has a proven track record for preparing students for academic and professional success, earning it the 13th ranking of RegisteredNursing.org’s 2024 list of California’s top colleges offering an associate degree in nursing. RegisteredNursing.org based its top 20 rankings of all 131 eligible California nursing schools on pass rates of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). RHC’s Nursing Program scored 97.03 out of a possible 100 points on the exam, which is required to be a licensed nurse and measures clinical safety and competence at the entry level.
Río Hondo College (RHC) has taken a significant step in enhancing campus safety by appointing local leader and law enforcement veteran Todd Rogers as the first police chief of its newly established Campus Police and Safety Department, the newest police agency in Los Angeles County. The RHC Campus Police and Safety Department has operated under an interim police chief since its founding in July 2023. The Río Hondo Community College District (RHCCD) Board of Trustees formed the department as part of the college’s commitment to fostering a safe, secure and welcoming learning environment. Chief Rogers, whose hiring was approved at the board’s Aug. 14 meeting, will be officially sworn in at the board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Río Hondo College (RHC) and El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) celebrated its longstanding partnership and collaboration to create pathways that empower students to achieve their academic and career aspirations at EMUHSD’s Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 4. Over the last six years, Río Hondo College and El Monte Union have partnered to establish free dual enrollment opportunities for EMUHSD students, including the Early College Academy (ECA) at South El Monte High, allowing them to get a jumpstart on higher education by earning college credit in high school.
Río Hondo College (RHC) ensured Congresswoman Grace Napolitano’s legacy of public service and advocacy for education and workforce development lives on forever on its campus as it officially dedicated the Grace F. Napolitano Quad with a ceremony on Aug. 14.
Students, staff, community members and elected officials, including Congresswoman Napolitano, attended the ceremony at what was once known as Río Hondo College’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Quad. The ceremony unveiled the new “Grace F. Napolitano Quad” signage and gave a sneak peek at a rendering showcasing the future changes planned for the area, including the installation of new signage, turf, tables and umbrellas for student use.
