Río Hondo College will host a coding fair from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 for students from El Monte City School District to showcase projects that demonstrate efforts to discover solutions to real-world problems. The event is sponsored by the Learning Enrichment & Academic Resources Network (LEARN), a Whittier-based educational nonprofit. The agency received a three-year grant in 2018 to offer Kids Code, an after-school coding program at El Monte City School District’s Cortada, Portrero, Wilkerson and Shirpser elementary schools.
A push by Río Hondo College and other supporters has secured recognition of the Homeland Security field as the newest academic discipline by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. The recognition, granted Monday, means individuals who earn advanced degrees in the field will be considered qualified for instructional positions in the college system. It is seen as a significant endorsement of the multi-discipline field recently developed from other public safety fields.
Río Hondo College’s Board of Trustees endorsed a second year of leadership from President Oscar Valladares, Vice President Rosaelva Lomeli and Clerk Vicky Santana on Dec. 11, 2019 during its annual reorganization meeting. Valladares and Lomeli, both elected in 2018, were named to board leadership positions in December 2018, and elevated to the presidency and vice presidency midway through 2019; Santana was named clerk at that time.
Río Hondo College is now enrolling students for its Homeland Security Program, a cutting-edge discipline that will teach students the latest skills and techniques for preparing themselves, their families and their community to respond to natural hazards and acts of terrorism. Rio Hondo College offers a Certificate of Achievement and Associate of Science in the discipline. Spring semester begins Saturday, Jan. 25.
Río Hondo College’s Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOP&S) will hold a 50th anniversary celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Campus Inn for the program that helps historically underrepresented college students achieve their educational goals. EOP&S, launched by Senate Bill 164 in 1969 as part of the Civil Rights Movement, is considered the original equity program of the California Community Colleges. It provides academic, financial and personal support for low-income students whose educational and socio-economic situations might otherwise prevent them from achieving their higher education goals.
Río Hondo College will mark Veterans Day at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 with a program honoring 1st Sgt. Janet Bretado of the 240th Signal Company, distribution of a Río Hondo College Veteran Memorial Coin and performances by the 40th Infantry Division Band and Río Hondo College Choir. The Veterans Day event will be emceed by Río Hondo College Veterans Service Center Counselor/Coordinator Arely Castaneda and feature a Presentation of Colors by the California National Guard – Veterans Honors Program.
Chief Tracy E. Rickman, who has helped lead and expand Rio Hondo College’s nationally respected firefighter training academies as well as launch a cadet crew that annually battles California wildfires, will retire Dec. 11. Rickman joined Rio Hondo College 22 years ago and today serves as fire technology coordinator for the Rio Hondo College Fire Academy, the Rio Hondo College Wildland Fire Academy and EMT program.
Río Hondo College’s Office of Online Education has received a $477,000 grant as part of the California Virtual Campus Online Education Initiative to add or update 16 industry-valued online certificate programs in fields ranging from Wildland Fire Technology to Web Design. College officials anticipate the programs will be open to students in fall 2020.
Rio Hondo College will hold a week of events, Oct. 14-18, to support and celebrate its undocumented student population, featuring social events, a fundraiser promoting legal protections, political activities, a family night, personal talks by undocumented students and a walk/run.
Rio Hondo College will hold its second annual Undocumented Student Week of Action from Monday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 18. The event, themed “Dream to Believe,” will feature social events, a fund-raiser promoting legal protections, political activities, a family night, personal talks by undocumented students and the inaugural UndocuRio Walk/Run on Friday. Events will be held daily at the College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
