Rio Hondo College’s new vice president of academic affairs brings a background rich in community college leadership, leadership on construction projects, oversight of academic departments and an understanding of high school curriculum, including accelerated learning programs. Dr. Laura Ramirez, whose last post was as vice president of academic affairs for East Los Angeles College (ELAC), begins her new job on July 5.
Follow-up Story: Rio Hondo College hosted more than 40 youths from the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier for a four-day summer camp from June 19-22. Camp Rio, piloted in 2016, engaged children ages 11-13 in academic-focused activities aimed at inspiring interest in college. Workshops explored solar power, drone technology, public safety careers, poetry, sign language, origami and hip-hop dance. Photos are available
Rio Hondo College will brief families of new students at its First Year Family Night about financial aid, student resources and how they can support their children. The orientation program runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 at the College, 3600 Workman Mill Road. The evening is one of several events designed to support first year students who are enrolled for fall 2017 in six or more units. A light dinner will be provided. Register at bit.ly/firstyearfam17, 562-463-6650 or firstyear@riohondo.edu.
Rio Hondo College will provide financial aid information and support guidance for new students during Freshman Welcome Days, held from 8 a.m. to noon Monday, July 10, Tuesday, July 11 and Tuesday, Aug. 1 at the Rio Café, 3600 Workman Mill Road. The event, which will also include information on transferring to a four-year university, is provided by the College’s First Year Success Center. Register online at http://bit.ly/rhcwelcome2017. Call 562-463-6650 or email firstyear@riohondo.edu for more information.
Class of 2017 high school graduates may register for Rio Hondo College classes from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 through a priority registration program that is part of the new Rio Promise. Students can register at Rio Hondo College’s Learning Resource Center, at Whittier High School, the Rio Hondo College Educational Center at Pico Rivera or the College’s El Monte Educational Center. The Rio Promise also waives first-year tuition for students from public and private high schools in the College’s service area. To qualify, students must submit a fall application, assessment, orientation and educational plan by Friday, June 30. For information, call 562-463-4693 or email outreach@riohondo.edu.
Rio Hondo College will host up to 50 members of the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier from 12:30 to 5 p.m. June 19-22 at Camp Rio, a weeklong exploration of science, career technical education and physical fitness activities. The program, piloted in 2016, is designed to engage children ages 11-13 in exciting, academic-focused summer activities that inspire interest in college attendance. Activities include workshops on solar power, drone technology, public safety careers, poetry, American Sign Language, origami and hip-hop dance. The camp also features a soccer clinic, a basketball skills session and a swim at the campus pool. Faculty across Rio Hondo College’s academic divisions are offering their time to facilitate the workshops. The camp will be held at Rio Hondo College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Follow-up Story: Downey attorney Ricardo Perez, who has helped helm Rio Hondo College’s innovative Pathway to Law School program, urged graduates at the College’s 54th annual Commencement Ceremony on May 25 to seek out tough challenges because they bring equally great rewards. Perez told graduates how President John F. Kennedy set a goal for landing on the Moon – not because it was easy, but because it was hard. This year, 1,553 Rio Hondo College students earned a record 2,154 degrees in summer/fall 2016 and spring/summer 2017. The number includes 793 degrees for transfer, which guarantee admission to Cal State University campuses. Photos are available
More than 100 Rio Hondo College students studying nursing, public safety and theatre arts will apply skills learned in their respective divisions as they collaborate in responding to a staged crisis event at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, May 12. The fifth annual crisis response simulation – held twice to accommodate the high number of participants – will test students’ ability to apply classroom learning to hands-on emergency. The event will be held at Rio Hondo College's Administration of Justice Annex, Rio Hondo College, 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier.
Rio Hondo College will hold its 54th annual Commencement Ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 25 at Parking Lot A of the hilltop campus at 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier. The ceremony will recognize more than 1,500 students who earned degrees in summer/fall 2016 or spring/summer 2017, including those who have earned degrees that guarantee acceptance to California State University campuses.
Rio Hondo College on announced the Rio Hondo College Promise, a student support program launching in 2017-18 that includes free tuition for the first year and priority registration for 2017 graduates of all Whittier Union, El Monte Union and El Rancho Unified high schools and private schools within the college service area.
