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N E W S L E T T E R

March 2022

LIBRARY INCREASES ACCESS TO
DIGITAL TEXTBOOKS

The RCC library is one of 14 colleges piloting Alma D controlled digital lending. Through this service, the College is beating the high cost of course materials by providing students digitized copies of textbooks. This semester, students have access to over 60% of textbooks online through the library. Usage data indicates that students use both hard copies and online versions, yet prefer the latter. College administration expressed gratitude to the team of faculty librarians and classified professionals in the library who worked tirelessly to launch this basic needs initiative.

AMAZON PARTNERS WITH RCC IN NEW CAREER CHOICE PROGRAM

RCC was recently selected as a participating college for Amazon’s Career Choice program. The College is one of 40 higher education institutions added to the program this month. The addition of institutions brings the total number to 180 in 14 countries selected to provide educational services to Amazon employees. Career Choice has a rigorous selection process for schools to join the approved network of education partners.

In California 10 higher education institutions are approved service providers, seven are community colleges. In addition to RCC, Moreno Valley, Bakersfield, Chaffey, Clovis, Modesto and Sacramento community colleges, two California State Universities Fresno and Stanislaus – are also approved along with SW Academy in San Francisco.

Programs offered through Amazon range from foundational skills such as English language to career pathways and college credit programs. Amazon pays 100% of the employee’s tuition, books, and fees.

Program flexibility allows active employees to pursue their goals at the approved college of their choice, at their own pace and may continue to enroll in classes as long as they are employed at Amazon.

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Music Professor Releases Album
Pete's Pandemic Playlist

Peter Curtis, professor of Music, released and album titled Pete's Pandemic Playlist with what he refers to as "all songs that have been running through my head at various points during this pandemic." They are all performed on solo jazz guitar except for one song on which he is joined by his colleague Charles Richard on saxophone. The album is available on all the streaming sites

LISTEN

60th DISTINGUISHED FACULTY LECTURE

Iran and America: A Troubled Past, A Turbulent Present

After a two-year hiatus due to the COIVD pandemic, Dariush Haghighat, Ph.D., professor of Political Science at Riverside City College, will finally deliver his Distinguished Faculty Lecture on Tuesday, April 26, at 12:50 pm in the Henry W. Coil, Sr. and Alice Edna Coil School for the Arts Concert Hall, and then again on Thursday, April 28, in Quad 144 at Riverside City College.

Each year, the faculty selects an educator from their ranks to address the Riverside Community College District community. Being selected as the Distinguished Faculty Lecturer is a significant honor recognizing an individual’s outstanding teaching skills and contributions to the District and its students. The lecture, now in its 60th year, began in 1961.

His lecture is titled, Iran and America: A Troubled Past, A Turbulent Present - How Immigrants Caught in the Middle Offer Promising Contributions for the Path Forward. The lecture will discuss how Iranian migrants have been impacted by America’s foreign policies.

Proof of vaccination is required to attend the lecture in-person, and no registration is needed. On the day of the lecture, viewers can submit questions for the lecturer to communityrelations@rccd.edu.

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FINANCIAL AID DIRECTOR NAMED MANAGER OF THE QUARTER

Elizabeth Hilton, Director, Student Financial Services has been selected as RCC’s Manager of the Quarter. Like everyone at RCC, Elizabeth is committed to supporting students, and seeks to remove obstacles to their success. Her passion is solving problems and offering expertise to help others in achieving their goals. She and her team manage nearly $60 million in student funds through the department annually.

In the words of her nominators, "Elizabeth works diligently and tirelessly to be sure that our students get access to financial aid. She always has her classified professionals' interests at heart. Words cannot express how much she does for this college; her work shows it all. She is a true example of what a leader should be.”

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Isabel Martinez

Isabel Martinez’s story is one of challenge and achievements. She comes from a large family that immigrated to the US when she was young. Her parents had almost no education, so when it came to school she felt that she was on her own. It was at the continuation school that a counselor saw her potential and nominated her for a Riverside Teachers Association scholarship. Isabel was the only student from the school to be awarded.

Her counselor also encouraged her to attend RCC after graduating. She took his advice and applied at RCC. However, she didn’t complete the matriculation process because she didn’t feel she was ready for college. Instead, she took a job as an insurance agent, a career she held for nearly a decade.

Isabel continued to dream about college and the opportunities it offers. In 2019, just after she became a US citizen, she returned to RCC and enrolled full-time. “It was wonderful from the start,” said Isabel. “RCC makes dreams more tangible.”
Isabel is graduating this semester with a degree in Psychology and has been accepted to several California state universities including Dominguez Hills, San Bernardino, Fullerton, and San Marcos. Her experiences at RCC have been extremely positive and attributes her success to her professors. “They aren’t faculty, they are people,” she said.

This newsletter will regularly spotlight students from among the thousands of inspirational stories we hear. If you know a student who should be highlighted, please share relevant information with Heidi Gonsier in the office of the president.

LINDA SING SELECTED AS STATE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

The Board of Trustees selected Linda Sing as the District’s 2022 nominee for the California Community College Board of Governors Classified Employee of the Year. Linda is one of hundreds of productive, committed, and essential classified professionals at RCC.

Linda joined the College in 1997 when she was hired as a library clerk II. In 1998 she became the library technical assistant II. Every day she demonstrates diligence and employs innovative measures--all in support of student access to resources and student success.

Working closely with the library’s faculty and other classified colleagues, Linda’s contributions to the Library and RCC are numerous. Many help to deliver equitable access to learning tools like books and technology. To name a few, she organized the library materials curbside checkout system, coordinated the laptop loan program, and spearheaded the textbook digitization project. Now, more than 60% of required textbooks are available in a digital format due to her diligence. She has always been a staunch supporter of Open Educational Resources.

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WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT MONTH

Women’s Empowerment Month was created to shed light about a world lacking gender equality. This is the time to engage in dialogue, stand strong, empower each other, promote knowledge for equality, and believe in the future. To recognize and support this effort, ASRCC hosted two Women's Empowerment events that offered opportunities for improvement.to help women gain confidence, practice self-care, and support each other’s personal or professional success.

RCCD TRUSTEE SPECIAL GUEST ON CCLC PODCAST

RCCD Board Trustee Tracey Vackar is the featured guest on the Community College League of California's podcast. In this episode, CCLC President Larry Galizio speaks with Vackar about the significant growth and development that the Inland Empire has experienced, and her perspective on what makes a successful and effective board member.

LISTEN

UPCOMING EVENTS

MUSICAL THEATRE PRESENTS

into the woods

Landis Performing Arts Center
Book by James Lapine
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Based on stories by the Brothers Grimm, RCC Theatre presents this epic musical fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. Journey through the woods with a Baker and his wife as they encounter familiar characters such as Jack (of beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and assorted princes, while on their quest to reverse a witch's curse. Discover what happens after "happily ever after."

BUY TICKETS

BLACK LIVES MATTER
Voices of Protest, Activism, and Art
April 9 - July 8, 2022

RCCD CENTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE & CIVIL LIBERTIES

TIGER BACKER GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday, April 11
Canyon Crest Country Club

Come out and show your support RCC's more than 600 student athletes. All proceeds help fund their experience, academic, and athletic needs.

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Riverside Community College District · 3801 Market St · Riverside, CA 92501-3225 · USA