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.
For more than 35 years, Reneé Gallegos has been dedicated to ensuring Río Hondo College’s (RHC) leadership and governance runs smoothly and efficiently, a commitment that was recognized on Aug. 8 when the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) honored her with the Professional Board Staff Member Award. Gallegos, RHC’s Executive Assistant to Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores and the Board of Trustees, earned the ACCT award for the Pacific Region in 2024. The ACCT’s five regional honorees are in the running for the national Professional Board Staff Member Award, which will be announced at the 2024 ACCT Awards Gala on Oct. 25 in Seattle.
The Río Hondo College (RHC) Foundation will host its annual golf tournament to continue its mission to provide financial support to RHC programs, equipment, scholarships, and other projects benefiting the College community and its scholars. The golf tournament first launched in 2005 and is one of the Foundation’s signature fundraisers, having generated a net revenue of more than $450,000 to benefit RHC students.
Río Hondo College Names Quad in Congresswoman Napolitano’s Honor
The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the College’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Quad as the Grace F. Napolitano Quad at its July 10 meeting, honoring Congresswoman Napolitano’s extensive contributions and advocacy for RHC, particularly its CTE programs, over her 24-plus years in Congress. RHC will host a dedication ceremony of the Grace F. Napolitano Quad for local elected officials and other distinguished guests at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14.
A herd of goats was intentionally released on Río Hondo College’s campus on July 18 as part of the College’s ongoing vegetation management and wildfire prevention efforts. Over the course of two weeks, the goats visited several designated grazing areas on campus under the supervision of a professional herder and a border collie to ensure they remained within their specified zone. RHC hosted a meet-and-greet with the working goat herd to provide students, the college community, and visitors the opportunity to learn more about goat grazing as a way to lessen the risk of wildfire.
Río Hondo College's (RHC) innovative approach to nursing education has garnered it a prestigious spot as one of only four institutions statewide to receive the 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant from the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) on June 24. RHC will receive a share of FoundationCCC’s 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant, which totals $450,000. The College will utilize the funds to partner with UbiSim, a virtual reality (VR) platform for nursing simulation, to equip its lab with immersive VR technology to enhance the clinical experience for its students.
A piece of Río Hondo College’s (RHC) campus will forever pay tribute to the legacy of Congresswoman Grace Napolitano long after she retires from public service later this year. The Río Hondo College Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the College’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Quad to the Grace F. Napolitano Quad at its July 10 meeting. The dedication honors Congresswoman Napolitano’s extensive contributions and advocacy for RHC, particularly its CTE programs over her 24-plus years in Congress. Napolitano delivered the keynote speech at RHC’s 2022 commencement and helped secure more than $2 million in federal funding to benefit RHC programs throughout her career in Congress. She was first elected to Congress in 1998 and served 13 terms in the House.
Río Hondo College Welcomes New Student Trustee for 2024-25
Río Hondo College student Hesma Valdes took an oath of office to officially begin her tenure as the student trustee for the 2024-25 academic year during the College’s Board of Trustees meeting on June 12. Valdes said she is motivated by a passion for advocacy for students' basic needs and wellness and has been deeply involved in campus life since she enrolled at the College as a 2023-24 freshman.
Río Hondo College Awarded Prestigious Nursing Education Grant
Río Hondo College's innovative approach to nursing education has garnered it a prestigious spot as one of only four institutions statewide to receive the 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant from the Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) on June 24. RHC will receive a share of FoundationCCC’s 2024 Nursing Education Investment Grant, which totals $450,000. The College will use the funds to partner with UbiSim, a virtual reality (VR) platform for nursing simulation, to equip its lab with immersive VR technology to enhance the clinical experience for its students.
