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.
Rio Hondo College Assists with Homeless Benefit
Rio Hondo College students have created more than 60 ceramic bowls for a fundraising event benefiting the homeless. The eighth annual Empty Bowls event will run from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6 at Santa Anita Golf Course Club House, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia. The event will feature area city leaders serving up soup made by more than 10 San Gabriel Valley restaurants with the bowls as gifts. Tickets are $50.
Río Hondo College will hold a reception to welcome Superintendent/President Dr. Arturo Reyes at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, celebrating efforts by the newly appointed College leader to champion collaboration and transparency.
Reyes, an educator for 33 years, was appointed Río Hondo College’s 10th superintendent/president in July 2019. He comes to Río Hondo College from Mendocino College, where he held the same post since 2013.
Río Hondo College will host a welcome reception for Dr. Arturo Reyes, the College’s recently appointed superintendent/president.
Rio Hondo College Art Gallery will hold a reception at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 for its new show, Cuentista, which features works by seven artists as part of the fifth annual SUR:biennial art project. The gallery is one of seven galleries to present independently curated exhibits to showcase works influenced by the cultures and artistic traditions of Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Rio Hondo’s show runs through Thursday, Oct. 3. The College is at 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Rio Hondo College Hosts Budget Forums in Spirit of Transparency
At the direction of new Superintendent/President Dr. Arturo Reyes, Rio Hondo College will hold community budget forums from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 and from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 in the Board of Education meeting room, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier. The events follow an initial forum held Aug. 28 and offer insight into the College’s planning process and budget priorities.
At the direction of Superintendent/President Dr. Arturo Reyes, Río Hondo College hosted its first 2019-20 campus-wide budget forum Wednesday in the spirit of transparency. Sharing information about the College’s finances through forums, opens the budget process to the entire campus community.