Río Hondo College’s Citizens’ Oversight Committee commended the College’s staff and leadership on July 8 for management of Measure A tax dollars, which have been used to transform the campus into a modern academic facility over the last 16 years. In its 2018-19 annual report to the Board of Trustees, the Committee said the College met all fiduciary responsibilities in managing funding provided by the community in 2004 as part of a $245 million bond measure.
Río Hondo College’s Roadrunner Hand Crew 77 has been activated by the U.S. Forest Service to assist with national wildfire needs, backfilling behind “hot shot” crews normally assigned to the Angeles National Forest. The crew began its 14-day minimum activation cycle on June 26 and could be assigned almost anywhere needed.
Río Hondo College student Marcela Rodas, who is studying English and psychology, has been chosen as the College’s 2020-21 student trustee. Rodas, a 2017 graduate of Los Altos School in Hacienda Heights, said her goal is to provide the perspective of students on issues such as the pandemic and equity in education. In 2019-20, she served as senator at-large for the Associated Students of Río Hondo College.
Graduates of Río Hondo College’s Class of 2019 are pursuing their dreams of higher education at some of the best four-year universities in the state, with 970 students attending such universities as UCLA, UC Berkeley and Cal State Los Angeles. Over 640 students enrolled at CSU campuses and 109 enrolled at UC campuses in 2019-20, according to new data from the UC Information Center and the CSU Data Center. The number of Río Hondo College students matriculating at the California universities and other four-year colleges has climbed 75% over the last 10 years.
Río Hondo College leaders on Thursday declared their support for a Supreme Court ruling that has upheld President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order that offers protections against deportation for children brought to America. President Trump has been fighting since 2017 to end the program, which shields some 700,000 young immigrants known as “Dreamers” and allows them to work. More than 200,000 of those immigrants attend U.S. colleges and some 70,000 undocumented students attend the California Community Colleges system.
Río Hondo College has been named a 2020 Best Online Community College of California by Guide to Online Schools, a free resource aimed toward helping students achieve optimal online learning. Río Hondo joins 20 other community colleges throughout the state to receive the honor.
Río Hondo College’s Board of Trustees on June 10 adopted a resolution affirming its “passionate support” for Black Lives Matter, racial quality, social justice and equity for all and “vigorously opposing” racism, white supremacy and colonialism. The resolution acknowledges that the College’s student body is nearly 90 percent students of color who look to the Board of Trustees to “stand and kneel in solidarity with all whose lives are affected by the effects of racism.”
Río Hondo College Police Academy is a leader in progressive police training, following a teaching philosophy known as Principled Policing that encourages strong community relationships, respect for diversity and an understanding of constitutional rights. College leaders are providing insight into the police training program in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers and subsequent demonstrations over treatment of African Americans by law enforcement.
Río Hondo College has awarded $882,400 in grants to 2,205 students as part of a federal act designed to assist those whose studies have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are funded by $3.1 million in federal CARES Act funding received by the College for direct student grants. The money is divided among a Río Cares Student Relief Fund, support for students with federal Work Study jobs and an Emergency Grant program.
Río Hondo College is celebrating its 2020 graduating class on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27 with a drive-through distribution of “Grad Care Packages” that include traditional graduation gear along with some surprises. The events are being held in lieu of the College’s traditional ceremonies because of COVID-19 concerns and are following the same safety guidelines used for the College’s drive-through food pantry. This is Río Hondo College’s 57th annual Commencement.
