Each year, Rio Hondo College showcases Profiles in Student Success. This year, staff and faculty combed through the stories of many deserving students and found four students exemplified success in the face of adversity and were recognized at the 51st Commencement Ceremony. This year, Rio Hondo College recognized reformed gang member David Rios, domestic violence survivor Sandra Lucero and DREAM Act students Valeria Guerrero and Paola De La O. Media contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
For the first time, Rio Hondo College will offer intersession courses this year to help students reach their goals even faster. Summer session this year will include both night and online classes. Beginning June 23, students have had the option to take five-week, six-week, eight-week, or 10-week sessions. One five-week session starts July 14. The newly offered intersession – which will run from Jan. 5 to Jan. 29 – is one of several ways Rio Hondo College is increasing opportunities for students to take more classes. Media contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
A Rio Hondo College instructor and his student have been selected by the California Teachers Association as the recipients of the 2014 Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Education Awards Program for commemorating the principles by which the late civil rights leader conducted his life. Along with a $550 award, student Andres Abedoy’s artwork will be put on display in the CTA Headquarters in Burlingame and will be featured in a future issue of the California Educator. Media contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Rio Hondo College will be one of the first community colleges in the state to offer a smoother pathway to six of California’s top law schools by participating in the Community Colleges Pathway to Law School initiative. The Community Colleges Pathway to Law School initiative, which will begin at Rio Hondo College in the fall, is designed to enhance opportunities and advancement in the legal profession for diverse populations, particularly those who have been underrepresented. Rio Hondo College was chosen by the State Bar’s Council on Access and Fairness for its leadership and student success indicators, which will be critical in providing meaningful experiences for students interested in pursuing law. Media contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Follow-up Story: Follow-up Story: Rio Hondo College students studying to be nurses, emergency medical technicians, firefighters and police officers participated in a Collaborative Crisis Scenario on Friday, May 9 where students will respond to a simulated accident that will include victims, bystanders and a makeshift ER room and ICU. The students were called upon to make critical judgments about victims’ care, take witness statements and participate in triage. Media contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Follow-up Story: Follow-up Story: Former U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis offered the Commencement Address for graduates of Rio Hondo College on May 22 at 6 p.m. at the College’s soccer field. Solis, a former member of the Rio Hondo College District Board of Trustees, served in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet from 2009 to 2013 after representing the San Gabriel Valley in the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Legislature. Media contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Follow-up Story: Follow-up Story: A festive evening of delicious food, wine tasting, silent auction and drawings were in store for the Rio Hondo College Foundation’s “Taste of Rio” event on Friday, May 2. The “Taste of Rio” featured tastings from 17 local eateries that ranged from the savory to the sweet. All proceeds are going toward student scholarships and programs. Photos are available. Media contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Five art students from Rio Hondo College will be showing and selling their work at the annual “Kilnopening.edu 2014” exhibition at the American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) in Pomona from Saturday, April 12 through Tuesday, June 1. Art Vasquez, Alexandro Vergara, Jared Chavez, Carol Sun and Danielle Cansino will showcase and sell their art pieces at the exhibit, which is designed to underscore the importance of college-level ceramics program. This is the first time that all Rio Hondo Students who applied for the show received acceptance. Contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Nationally syndicated columnist and best-selling author Gustavo Arellano will headline this year’s “Writes of Spring” festival at Rio Hondo College, an event that celebrates the written word while allowing students to interact with professional writers and entertainers. “Writes of Spring,” which takes place Wednesday, April 23 and Thursday, April 24 at the Rio Hondo College Wray Theatre, will feature student and staff work that range from poetry and short stories to monologues and one-act plays. Arellano, editor of the OC Weekly whose famous “¡Ask a Mexican!” column spurred a successful literary career that includes three books and several writing awards, will give his presentation at 9:40 a.m. on April 23. Contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
Follow-up Story: Follow-up story: Renowned poet and Rio Hondo College Spanish professor Mariano Zaro was among an elite group of writers, poets and literary professionals selected to host sessions at the XIII Congreso Internacional de Literatura Hispánica conference in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia March 12-14. The Congreso Internacional de Literatura Hispánica (International Congress of Hispanic Literature) is a gathering of authors, professors and others interested in literature in Spanish, who exchange ideas and discuss new literary movements and theories. Photos are available. Contact: Christina Esparza, 909-445-1001 (office) or 626-383-6367 (cell)
