Greetings, Wolverines!

San Bernardino Valley College is alive!  These past few weeks have been full of recognition ceremonies, events, and a sense of community that has defined VALLEY COLLEGE for the past 99 years!  The Commencement Stage is just weeks away and I can’t wait to celebrate alongside our students, faculty, classified professionals, management team, and community as Wolverines level up!

Here are this week’s highlights and updates:

1. CENTENNIAL LOGO VOTE IS LIVE!

San Bernardino Valley College is turning 100 next academic year, and we want YOU to help shape the celebration! After reviewing many, many strong contenders, we have narrowed the race down to two potential SBVC logos to represent our Centennial Year in 2025-26, and your voice matters in steering us toward the best representation of our past, present, and future. Take a moment to review the logo options and cast your vote by Tuesday at midnight (MAY 13, 2025): www.valleycollege.edu/centennial/logo.php

2. DEN2DEN STUDENT HOUSING PATHWAY LAUNCH

We are proud to announce the official launch of the Den2Den Housing Pathway Program! Thanks to a new partnership with CSUSB, eligible SBVC students can now apply for student housing on the CSUSB campus. This marks a major step forward in supporting student success and well-being. Learn more at: www.valleycollege.edu/den2den

3. ISLANDER GRAD

Saturday’s Islander Grad was a powerful evening of culture, unity, and joy. The ceremony featured the Pu and a welcoming Oli, scholarship awards, dynamic performances, and concluded with the MILI MILI chant, symbolizing strength and solidarity. Thank you to everyone who helped make this moment unforgettable for our community’s Pacific Islander graduates.

4. SUMMER RESOURCE FAIR

Also on Saturday, we were honored to host the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Summer Resource Fair on our campus for the very first time. Local families explored a wide range of services, programs, and summer opportunities. We are proud to strengthen ties with SBCSS and RTAC in supporting the success of our K–12 families and future Wolverines.

5. SBVC REPRESENTATION IN STATEWIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We are excited to share that Samantha Homier has been selected to serve as a tri-chair for the 2026 RP Group Summer-to-Summer (S2S) Institute Planning Committee. This statewide professional development program builds leadership capacity among early-career researchers in the CCC system. Samantha’s appointment is a testament to her growth and leadership in our community, as well as an example of SBVC’s impact reaching far beyond our campus. Congratulations, Sam!

6. SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY – TODAY!

Tonight at 6:00 p.m., we will gather to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students at the 2025 Scholarship Awards Ceremony. We will be awarding a record-breaking $800,000 in scholarships! Deep thanks to our SBVC Foundation, Executive Director Mike Layne and the entire team for making this moment possible. Let’s show up in support!

7. API HERITAGE MONTH FINALE

Join us this Wednesday, May 7 at 12:00 p.m. in the Gym Breezeway for the API Heritage Month Finale. With food, performances, and celebration, we are wrapping up a month of impactful events hosted by the SBCCD API Association. Thank you to our APIA for uplifting culture and community throughout our district!

8. TAYTAYAN ORAL HISTORY SHOWCASE

Yesterday’s “In Our Words” showcase was a powerful debut of original documentaries by our Taytayan Learning Community students. The moments shared by our students explored themes of culture, identity, and lived experiences in the Inland Empire. A heartfelt thank you to Rangel Zarate, Bethany Tasaka, and all who made this possible. What an inspiring way to support student voices!

9. HEADDRESS BALL CELEBRATION

This past weekend, SBVC was proud to participate in the 63rd Annual Headdress Ball hosted by the Assistance League of San Bernardino. Huge thanks to SBCCD for sponsoring a stunning headdress and our SBVC Foundation for sponsoring a table and representing the college. The evening was a dazzling celebration of generosity, community, and spirit. Special thanks to Yvonne Gutierrez, Davena Burns-Peters, Lacee Domon, and Eve Mulhall for joining me in representing SBVC with pride.

10. NATIONAL BLACK GRAD CEREMONY

On Sunday, I had an unforgettable experience at the 14th Annual National Black Grad Ceremony at CSUSB. We celebrated with families, students, and community leaders as they honored Black high school graduates from across the Inland Empire. Special appreciation goes to Keynasia Buffong for organizing such a joyful and moving event, and to Dr. Cherina Betters as MC for the event. SBVC continues to lead with love as a Black-Serving Institution in practice and spirit.

11. DRONE SHOOT – THURSDAY, MAY 9

Keep an eye out above the Applied Tech Building and Bio Garden this Thursday as HMC Architects capture drone footage for future visual storytelling. These images will help document our transformation as we build for the future!

12. ZOOM RECORDINGS DELETION NOTICE

Reminder: On October 2, 2025, Zoom recordings from 2017 through July 31, 2024 will be permanently deleted. Make sure to save any important recordings you would like to keep. This process will repeat annually starting in 2026.

13. STAY CONNECTED!

We are in the busiest month of the academic year. Stay current with all upcoming events and campus happenings by checking our calendar regularly: valleycollege.edu/calendar

As we step into this final stretch of the Spring 2025 semester, I want to thank each of you for the energy, care, and commitment you continue to bring to SBVC. From celebrating our students’ achievements to strengthening our ties with the community, your efforts are building a lasting and beautiful legacy. Let’s keep showing up for one another, for our students, and for this campus community we are proud to call home.

Valley Up!

Gil