Camarillo, Calif. (April 3, 2024) — Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges are proud to announce that all three institutions are launching applied baccalaureate degree programs on their campuses. As a part of the California Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program, these first of their kind degrees offer the Ventura County community increased access to affordable career education that will prepare them for well-paying jobs in the region.

These four-year programs were designed to meet the specific workforce needs of the region that are not currently met by the local California State Universities. Moorpark College’s Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing, Ventura College’s Bachelor of Science in Automotive Career Education and Oxnard College’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene each will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for high demand jobs within the changing, high technology industries in the county.

“The Community Colleges of Ventura County are responding to the evolving workforce needs by introducing new bachelor’s degrees," said Chancellor Rick MacLennan.

According to the state's Final Evaluation of the Community College Bachelor's Degree Pilot, 51% of students enrolled in a community college bachelor's degree program would not have otherwise pursued a bachelor’s education had it not been offered at their local community college. With the Ventura County community colleges’ upcoming program launches, these opportunities are extending to those students who may not have previously seen college in their futures. Through the Bachelor's Degree Pilot Program, tuition is capped at $130 per unit and $10,560 for the entire program—this means that many students who qualify for the College Promise program, state and federal aid and other financial aid options will now have another affordable path toward achieving academic success.

"The Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program is a transformative, potentially life-changing step forward for our local community college students in Ventura County," remarked Board Chair Bernardo Perez. "This legislation empowers our community colleges to offer applied bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields that will meet the specific needs of our community and workforce."

Following the successful approval of their initial bachelor’s degree programs, the Ventura County community colleges continue to develop additional programs. Moorpark College’s proposed Bachelor of Science in Applied Cybersecurity & Network Operations is currently in review, and Oxnard College has recently submitted a new proposal for a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Advocacy & Organizing. As these diverse academic programs demonstrate, the Ventura County community colleges collectively strive to meet the future with innovation and inclusivity.

"Moorpark College is proud to lead the charge in offering a bachelor’s program to our county’s students, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the programs in Dental Hygiene at Oxnard College and Automotive Career Education at Ventura College come to fruition," said Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. "Together, we're not just expanding educational opportunities; we're setting the stage for our students to excel in the careers of tomorrow."

Moorpark College is accepting students for the Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing program’s inaugural class in Fall 2024. To learn more about the Bachelor’s Degree Programs at the Ventura County community colleges, visit vcccd.edu/bachelorsdegree.

About Ventura County Community College District
The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 116-campus California Community College system and serves approximately 30,000 students annually. The District's three colleges—Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura—offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, visit vcccd.edu.

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Innovative four-year pathways meet regional workforce needs

Camarillo, Calif. (April 3, 2024) — Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges are proud to announce that all three institutions are launching applied baccalaureate degree programs on their campuses. As a part of the California Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program, these first of their kind degrees offer the Ventura County community increased access to affordable career education that will prepare them for well-paying jobs in the region.

These four-year programs were designed to meet the specific workforce needs of the region that are not currently met by the local California State Universities. Moorpark College’s Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing, Ventura College’s Bachelor of Science in Automotive Career Education and Oxnard College’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene each will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for high demand jobs within the changing, high technology industries in the county.

“The Community Colleges of Ventura County are responding to the evolving workforce needs by introducing new bachelor’s degrees," said Chancellor Rick MacLennan.

According to the state's Final Evaluation of the Community College Bachelor's Degree Pilot, 51% of students enrolled in a community college bachelor's degree program would not have otherwise pursued a bachelor’s education had it not been offered at their local community college. With the Ventura County community colleges’ upcoming program launches, these opportunities are extending to those students who may not have previously seen college in their futures. Through the Bachelor's Degree Pilot Program, tuition is capped at $130 per unit and $10,560 for the entire program—this means that many students who qualify for the College Promise program, state and federal aid and other financial aid options will now have another affordable path toward achieving academic success.

"The Baccalaureate Degree Pilot Program is a transformative, potentially life-changing step forward for our local community college students in Ventura County," remarked Board Chair Bernardo Perez. "This legislation empowers our community colleges to offer applied bachelor's degrees in high-demand fields that will meet the specific needs of our community and workforce."

Following the successful approval of their initial bachelor’s degree programs, the Ventura County community colleges continue to develop additional programs. Moorpark College’s proposed Bachelor of Science in Applied Cybersecurity & Network Operations is currently in review, and Oxnard College has recently submitted a new proposal for a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Advocacy & Organizing. As these diverse academic programs demonstrate, the Ventura County community colleges collectively strive to meet the future with innovation and inclusivity.

"Moorpark College is proud to lead the charge in offering a bachelor’s program to our county’s students, and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing the programs in Dental Hygiene at Oxnard College and Automotive Career Education at Ventura College come to fruition," said Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. "Together, we're not just expanding educational opportunities; we're setting the stage for our students to excel in the careers of tomorrow."

Moorpark College is accepting students for the Bachelor of Science in Biomanufacturing program’s inaugural class in Fall 2024. To learn more about the Bachelor’s Degree Programs at the Ventura County community colleges, visit vcccd.edu/bachelors degree.

About Ventura County Community College District
The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 116-campus California Community College system and serves approximately 30,000 students annually. The District's three colleges—Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura—offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, visit vcccd.edu.

To view this press release on our website or to access it in a different file format

(i.e. doc, pdf, html) please visit: vcccd.edu/news

On Friday, February 16, 2004, Rio Vista Elementary held its first “Dance with a Loved One” event in partnership with the Rio Vista Parent Club. The evening included a DJ with age-appropriate music, a professional photo booth, and a selfie backdrop area. Pizza and snacks were enjoyed by all. Rio Vista Elementary Principal Beverly Garnica said, “We had an amazing night at our first Dance With a Loved One at Rio Vista event! A huge thanks to our counselor, Mrs. Ibarra, our wonderful Parent Club, and our DJ. It was a great evening!” Courtesy Rio Vista Elementary blog https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/rio-vista-elementary-roadrunners-blog/2024/2/20/dance-with-a-loved-one.
Enlarge Photo

Enlarge Photo

Courtesy Luther Richmond, MA Education, Rio Vista Elementary School Parent

Re: Rio Vista Elementary Dance Gets an A+ on “Dance with a Loved-One Event”

On Friday February 16, 2024 Rio Vista Elementary hosted its first annual “Dance with a Loved-One” school dance inside the school multi-purpose room with support from the Rio Vista Parent Club. Each student was given a glow-in-the-dark strobe light foam toy as they entered the venue that was filled with upbeat, age-appropriate music provided by DJ Corona. The event featured a professional photo booth with props and a DIY selfie backdrop area. Pizza, snacks, and beverages were for sale. The event was a great success and exceeded the expectations of many parents and even some of the organizers. The dance floor stayed occupied at all times and at one point, several of the fifth graders started a dance circle and conga line that was joined by other students from every other grade level down to the kindergarteners. At the surface level, the event may be perceived as a fun Friday night dance to start a three day weekend, however, the importance of these types of events cannot be overstated.

As a parent of fifth and second grade “Roadrunners,” several years of my children’s and their classmates’ elementary school years were significantly disrupted by the pandemic and connections were lost. This event was a strong effort by the school to bolster community-school relations as many continue forward toward a sense of normalcy. As a result, the school should see positive ripple effects in the near future in regard to parent engagement following the pandemic that disconnected so many of us. Many parents met school staff and the families of their children’s classmates at the event as well.
Depending on the school district, it is often challenging to approve funding for fun “non-educational” events like this, however, it is important for all families and students to have positive experiences on their campus, and events such as this one should be encouraged and celebrated by school districts and parent-teacher organizations. Students laughed, played, and danced with other classmates and their loved ones inside the same cafeteria where they have lunch. We lined up for pizza where they line up during school. When these experiences are shared, understanding and respect spreads and bullying and school violence incidents are reduced.

These events must be valued for their ability to unify students, increase parent engagement, and to boost the overall social-emotional health of the campus. The weekend is now over, but our “Roadrunners” are still talking about and energized by Friday night’s dance. On behalf of all of the Rio Vista parents, I am sending a big thank you to Principal Beverly Garnica, the school staff, and all of the parent club members who said yes to this event and put in the extra work to make it happen.

Ventura, Calif.—Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, the Ventura College Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and financial assistance to Ventura College students and school programs, distributed $809,995 in direct assistance support to over 5,000 students during the 2022-2023 academic year and another $1.17 million to 68 Ventura College programs across 16 departments and divisions.

"Since the foundation’s inception, it’s raised over $48 million to benefit Ventura College students and programs. There is no better way to celebrate the foundation’s 40th anniversary than to contribute another $2 million to help remove the financial barriers to education that students face," says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director.

In 2022-23, the foundation provided $75,000 in gap funding for 2,082 students to ensure tuition costs of the Ventura College Promise program were covered due to state budget cuts. The program covers all tuition and fees for eligible students for up to two years. The foundation awarded 439 scholarships to 235 applicants. Its lending library and veterans' textbook program provided textbooks to 2,688 students including 58 veterans.

The foundation also provided financial support to the Ventura College Basic Needs Program including its pantry and the Jordana Ybarra-Telias Emergency Grant Program. “The pantry was previously serving 250 students per week. It’s now serving 200 students daily,” says King. “Food insecurity is just one of the challenges facing our students. About 55 percent of the college’s student population is classified as extremely low income or low income.”

Community colleges are the least funded of all educational systems in the state according to the Community College League of California (CCLC) 2023 Fast Facts Sheet “K-12, UC and Cal State schools all receive more funding per student,” says King. “Our generous donors enable us to eliminate financial barriers, increase access to education, bridge equity gaps in academic achievement, and empower more students to thrive. Their support has given tens of thousands of students over four decades an opportunity to fulfill their dreams of a rewarding career, higher income, and a better quality of life.”

For more information on the Ventura College Foundation's 2022-23 Impact Report, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org/foundation-impact. To learn about Ventura College Foundation donation options, click https://venturacollegefoundation.org/giving.

Ventura College Foundation

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and operates financially independent from Ventura College. It transforms students’ lives through education by providing innovative and vital resources and financial support. The Foundation collaborates with Ventura College to enhance human potential, civic engagement, careers and academic success of students enabling their effective impact and legacy on the college, local workforce, and our community. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus. For more information, contact Julie Harvey at (805) 289-6502 or jharvey@vcccd.edu or visit www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.