Approximately 20 Río Hondo College students recently dove into the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – working in labs, conducting research projects and presenting their findings – through the College’s first-year partnership with Cal Poly Pomona’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program. The SURE Program has provided more than 100 community college students with the opportunity to participate in high-level, faculty-mentored research projects at Cal Poly Pomona. The program, which first began in 2014, spans eight weeks in June and August and introduces students to the world of scientific research in an immersive, supportive learning environment.
Río Hondo College Board of Trustees Member Oscar Valladares has been reappointed to the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors, in which he will continue the vital work to close the student achievement gap on a national level. Valladares was first appointed to the ACCT Board of Directors in June 2023, and was elected to return to the Board during the ACCT’s Annual Leadership Congress Conference, held Oct. 7-12 in Las Vegas. He will continue to represent the ACCT’s Pacific region, which is made up of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Virtual Coffee Talk with Río Hondo College Superintendent/President
The Río Hondo College community is invited to join Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores for a virtual coffee talk event, Un Cafecito, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. Dr. Flores will use this opportunity to meet with members of the community, hear their ideas, and establish camaraderie with those who participate in the event. To join Un Cafecito, use this Zoom link.
Río Hondo College Library to Host First-Ever Zine Fest
Río Hondo College Library will host its first-ever Zine Fest over two days, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10 and from noon to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Zine creators and enthusiasts will be on hand to share their zines in hopes of educating the community about zines and inspiring them to create their own self-made zines. Both days will be hosted at the Learning Resource Center, located on the second floor of the campus library. The event will kick off the Río Hondo College Library Outreach Project, where participants can contribute their zine to be included in a printed publication of the Río Hondo College Library Zines. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Representatives from Río Hondo College celebrated the impact of its educator pathway at the Center of Collaborative Education’s (CCE) gala on Oct. 3. The CCE gala commemorated the impact the Community Partnerships for Teacher Pipeline, a teaching exploration program Río Hondo College and two other community colleges have offered since 2020, has had in strengthening the teaching profession by increasing the number of teachers of color.
The Río Hondo College campus bustled with activity as live music, international cuisine and laughter filled the air on Sept. 15, as the community celebrated the College’s 60th anniversary and its history of service and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism. A giant inflatable archway in bright Río Hondo gold welcomed the entire community – from College students, staff, the Board of Trustees and REX the Roadrunner to local dignitaries and the general public ¬– to share in the milestone event. Many in the crowd wore commemorative 60th anniversary t-shirts with “see my color, see my identity, see all of me” on the back. Among the esteemed dignitaries who attended the 60th anniversary celebration were Pico Rivera Mayor Erik Lutz, South El Monte Mayor Gloria Olmos, South El Monte City Councilmembers Rudy Bojorquez and Manuel Acosta, Whittier Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Dutra, Whittier City Councilmember Octavio Cesar Martinez, representatives from the offices of California State Sen. Bob Archuleta, State Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco and Los Angeles County Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis, along with a host of officials from Río Hondo College’s K-12 partner school districts.
Río Hondo College received a $20,000 donation from Janice Hahn, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, to help continue its efforts to support students experiencing housing insecurity. Hahn presented the donation to Río Hondo College and other K-12 school districts to assist in meeting the basic needs of students at a Whittier Area Schools Trustee Association mixer on Sept. 21.Hahn presented her donation to Río Hondo College and other Whittier area K-12 school districts to assist in meeting the basic needs of students at a Whittier Area Schools Trustees Association mixer on Sept. 21.
Río Hondo College Celebrates 60th Anniversary
The Río Hondo College campus bustled with activity as live music, international cuisine and laughter filled the air on Sept. 15, as the community celebrated the College’s 60th anniversary and its history of service and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Río Hondo welcomed its entire community – from College students, staff, the Board of Trustees and REX the Roadrunner to local dignitaries and the general public ¬– to share in the milestone event. Festivities started in the morning and stretched all the way into the evening, as guests were treated to a diverse display of live cultural performances and global fare throughout the day.
Río Hondo College Plans Fall Transfer Fair for Students
Río Hondo College will connect students with more than 50 universities during its Fall 2023 Transfer Fair on Monday, Sept. 11. Students will be able to meet with representatives from four-year universities to discuss admission requirements, transfer planning, and learn more about each university, while Río Hondo College transfer counselors will be on hand to assist in the transfer process. Río Hondo College is located at 3600 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier.
Río Hondo College Police Academy Director Walter Allen III’s work to combat prejudice and stamp out pro-hate tactics during his more than four decades in law enforcement earned him the Huff Strategies – ACT Against Hate Alliance (AAHA) inaugural Leadership Award during an Aug. 17 ceremony in Rowland Heights. Allen has fought against implicit bias throughout his personal life and storied career in law enforcement, which includes his tenure at the Río Hondo College Police Academy and across California’s criminal justice and correctional systems.
