CVHEC Website Feature: English Task Force Page

 

CVHEC English Task Force examines
various topics including AB 705, AB1705

The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium launches a new web page this month featuring its two intersegmental task forces consisting of math and English educators representing CVHEC community college member institutions.

First formed in 2019, the mission of the English and Math Task Forces is to streamline math and English pathways for students by examining topics and issues of those disciplines and recent legislation as part of CVHEC’s mission: improve certificate and degree completion rates in the nine-county region from San Joaquin to Kern.

Coordinated by Dr. John Spevak, one of CVHEC’s coordinators and a former Merced College vice president, the task forces consist of representatives from each of the 15 community college members in the region that are part of the 28-member consortium.

They meet periodically via Zoom with the next Math Task Force meeting planned for early fall and the English Task Force set for mid-fall.

Lately, the English Task Force with 18 representatives and the Math Task Force with 20 representatives “collaborate by sharing ideas, concerns and suggestions surrounding this legislation (AB1705) for our students’ progress,” Dr. Spevak said.

Pre-pandemic the task forces hosted workshops to provide technical assistance directly to CVHEC members supporting faculty professional development.

Current conversations in the English Task Force include:

  • the continuing implementation of AB 705, AB1705 including through-put results;
  • comparing the success of online, in-person, hybrid and hyflex modes;
  • the student mindset after COVID;
  • artificial intelligence within English classes;
  • ensuring course outlines equitably represent the desired outcomes of the course;
  • collecting and analyzing data to improve student success; and
  • media literacy within English courses among many other topics.

In the Math Task Force, discussions have centered around:

  • preparing for implementation of AB 1705 on July 1, 2024;
  • continued implementation of AB 705 and challenges math professors face;
  • working with the University of Texas, Auston’s Dana Center on best current national practices in teaching college math;
  • pursuing CVHEC’s Math Bridge project that will align high school and college math course outlines and includes new approaches to dual enrollment in math courses; and
  • collecting and analyzing data to improve student success among many other topics.

“CVHEC believes that when these professional educators convene to share updates, concerns and ideas with their colleagues across the valley, it is helpful to all concerned and helps the Central Valley be a leader in best practices,” Spevak said.  “Each member is bright, congenial and above all dedicated to student success.”

For more info see the web page or email centralvalleyhec@gmail.com. [web page link to come]

CVHEC Media Contact: Tom Uribes (559.348.3278) cvheccommunications@mail.fresnostate.edu

 CVHEC English Task Force

The 20 members of the CVHEC English Task Force are English professors except where noted otherwise:

Jennifer Jett
Bakersfield College

Gary Enns
Cerro Coso Community College

Teresa Mendes
Clovis Community College

Erik Armstrong
College of the Sequoias

Craig Johnson
Columbia College

Jacqueline Williams
Fresno City College

Tina  Ramsey
Madera Community College

Michael  Barba
Merced College

Jeremy T. Mumford, MA, MFA
Merced_College

Chandra Howard
Modesto Junior College

Jillian Daly
Modesto Junior College

Melissa  Long
Porterville College

Carey Karle
Reedley College

Eileen Apperson
Reedley College

John Clanton
San Joaquin Delta College

See also: Math Task Force

MINI-GRANT SUCCESS STORY: Fresno Pacific Tri-Alpha Honor Society Chapter

 

CVHEC 2022 Mini Grant funds FPU Tri-Alpha Honor Society for

first-generation students; grant application period now open

NOTE: For the past three years, Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Mini-Grants have been awarded to member institutions in support of CVHEC’s mission to increase degree attainment rates. We are highlighting how our member institutions’ innovative uses for the grants are positively impacting students. Applications for the 2023 cycle are available.

 

A Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Mini-Grant awarded to member Fresno Pacific University earlier this year has provided the foundation to establish a local chapter of the Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society (Tri-Alpha ) that recognizes and engages first-generation college students.

The $6,477 grant funded by the College Futures Foundation enabled the FPU’s new Zeta Sigma chapter of Tri-Alpha to cover student membership fees; hold two induction ceremonies in the 2022-23 academic year that invited members’ families; and host monthly meetings for chapter members by covering speaker honoria and refreshments.

Another element of the FPU proposal includes creating undergraduate research fellowships that will allow the university to provide stipends for students and faculty conducting research together.

“The research, in each researcher’s field of study, will be used to inform future first-generation student services on campus,” said adviser Sarah Micu, FPU Student Success and Equity coordinator.

CVHEC’s Mini-Grant funding also enabled Micu and new chapter adviser, Brianna Martinez, to attend NASPA’s First-Generation Student Success conference in June.

“The conference was great to network with other universities and generate more ideas on how to serve first-generation students at Fresno Pacific University,” Micu reported. “We are excited to continue planning and serving our students!”

Established last fall, FPU’s Zeta Sigma chapter inducted its first group of 63 students, eight faculty  and five staff members Nov.  8, (National First-Gen Celebration Day) 2022 at the main campus located in Southeast Fresno. In the spring, another 46 students, seven staff and one faculty member were inducted on April 17, 2023.).

Tri-Alpha — founded March 24, 2018, at Moravian College (now Moravian University) in Bethlehem, PA with more than 130 chapters in 35 states today — defines first generation student as: “neither of the student’s parents, nor stepparents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor’s degree (or, for students at a community college, the parents did not complete an associate’s degree).”

Members must also have 30 semester credits and a 3.2 GPA or above.

This society includes faculty and staff who were first-generation students to facilitate relationships/mentorship for members who might otherwise feel alone on their college journey.

Micu said an honor society recognizing first-generation scholars is a natural fit for FPU, where 49 percent of students are the first in their families to attend college or university.

“These students graduate at the same rate as continuing-generation students,” Micu said. “CVHEC funding is helping us build a more robust program for our chapter of the Alpha Alpha Alpha honor society.”

The CVHEC Mini-Grants project provides awards from $5,000 to $7,500 each which faculty from member institutions have creatively used for individual projects that help achieve the consortium’s strategy of increasing degree attainment rates.

Previous Mini-Grants have supported assistance and professional learning associated with Guided Pathways; Math Pathways; implementation of Corequisite English and math; course development; and advancement of Pathways for Associate Degrees for Transfer.

The grants may also incentivize basic needs and equity, race and social justice work

“We commend CVHEC member FPU for expertly using our Mini-Grant funding to achieve its equity framework by supporting first generation students through these valuable Tri Alpha activities,” said Dr. Benjamín Durán, CVHEC executive director.

Mini-Grant Applications Available

Applications for the next Central Valley Higher Education Consortium 2023 Mini-Grant cycle are now being accepted and will continue until funds are allocated. Member institutions are encouraged to apply soon to allow enough time for project completion before the expenditure deadline, said Angel Ramírez, CVHEC operations & finance manager.

Once funds are allocated, grantees have until November 30, 2022 to finalize expenditures.

For CVHEC Mini-Grant 2023 Application inquiries, contact Ramírez at angelr@mail.fresnostate.edu.

 

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Fresno Pacific University: Wayne Steffen, wayne.steffen@fresno.edu (559.453.3677)

CVHEC: Tom Uribes, cvheccommunications@mail.fresnostate.edu (559.348.3278)

 

ALSO SEE:

Fresno Pacific University story about FPU’s Tri-Alpha Honor Society by Wayne Steffen,

associate director of FPU Publications and Media Relations.

 

Previous CVHEC Mini-Grants success stories:

 

MEMBER NEWS: CHSU Medical Student Enrollment Reaches 500

First CHSU-COM cohort to graduate

in spring as Class of 2024

The current session at California Health Sciences University that began in late July marks both the fourth cohort of its College of Osteopathic Medicine and the final year of its first COM cohort that graduates next spring.

The Clovis-based medical school now has 500 new and returning medical students enrolled.

“The campus has never been livelier now that we have all four cohorts of medical students at CHSU,” said John Graneto, DO, dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The Class of 2027 is the fourth COM cohort to date, with over 150 new student doctors beginning their first year of medical school.

And with about 25 percent from the Central Valley and over 90 percent from California, the university hopes most of its medical students will complete residencies here and practice locally, Dr. Graneto said.

Many of the CHSU medical students completed their undergraduate education in top California schools such as  University of California campuses at  Davis, Irvine, San Diego, Los Angeles (UCLA), Merced and Berkeley, as well as California State University campuses at Fresno and Stanislaus.

About 800 applicants were interviewed from the over 3,000 candidates who applied for fall 2023 admission to CHSU-COM.

“I am proud that our diverse medical students collectively speak 40 different languages with approximately one third who speak Spanish, which means they represent the patient populations they will serve,” said CHSU President Florence T. Dunn in her monthly newsletter Aug. 31.

Nearly 200 CHSU medical students have already completed the first two years of coursework. Now as third- and fourth-year students, they experience hands-on learning through clinical clerkships in Central Valley hospitals, clinics and private practices.

This spring, CHSU class of 2024 medical students will learn where they matched for their desired residency before graduating in May.

“Our inaugural class of students will graduate this May before beginning residencies to make an immediate impact on the health care provider deficit in the Central Valley,” stated Dr. Graneto.

“I’m excited that starting next year a steady stream of new CHSU-educated physicians will join the community every year,” he added.

 

MEMBER NEWS: Higher education comes to West Fresno with opening of city college satellite campus

The Fresno City College West Fresno Center opened its doors for instruction on Aug. 7, 2023.

‘I feel that it is going to bring in a lot of attraction from

other investors to serve and improve West Fresno’

 

By Rachel Livinal

KVPR – Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

(August 7, 2023) – Fresno City College is debuting its new campus in West Fresno as students kick off the fall semester.

On Monday, Gurminder Sangha rushed in and out of his office, making sure things were running smoothly. The parking lot began to fill up early as the West Fresno Center opened its doors to instruction for the first time. An open house was held over the weekend.

“I’m very happy with the opening and the support our staff is giving to our students,” said Sangha, who is the campus’ dean of educational services and pathway effectiveness.

The campus has garnered lots of attention. It’s part of a wider effort to help bring resources to underserved neighborhoods. Sangha said with the campus located near residents in West Fresno, the potential for higher learning is “right in their backyard.”

“Just by us being here, I feel that it is going to bring in a lot of attraction from other investors to serve and improve West Fresno,” Sangha said.

The campus offers courses in teaching, social justice, and public health — all intended to educate future community leaders.

“There will also be an elementary teacher education program that students will be able to complete right here and the purpose behind that is that students from the local community will come here,” Sangha said.

Sangha said students can get their elementary teacher education certificate from the West Fresno campus and transfer to Fresno State, then teach within the community.

The West Fresno Center also offers the Future Health Care Professionals program, which helps high school students in west Fresno easily obtain priority registration for the Allied Health Program.

Cassie Fang is a first-year student looking to become a medical assistant.

“I was thinking of taking online classes, but now I don’t want to – since I like it in person. I learn better in person,” Fang said.

The campus is in its first phase of development, and will continue to grow as construction resumes. The Advanced Transportation building will be open to students in January.

The campus will continue to grow as Fresno City College revisits its plans with district staff and the community to see what should be improved by 2035.

 

See

• original KVPR story.

• https://bit.ly/CVHECmember-FCCWestOpenHouseAug4-5

MEMBER NEWS: UCSF Fresno Celebrates New Doctors

UCSF Fresno celebrates the Class of 2023:

new doctors for the Central Valley and California

By Brandy Ramos Nikaido,
UCSF Fresno Communications

It takes 11 years or more to produce a practicing physician after high school, depending on the specialty. On June 15, UCSF Fresno celebrated the completion of years of training for more than 100 graduates including medical residents and fellow physicians, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery dental residents, a Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction fellow and two Emergency Medicine physician assistants.

“Commencement is the celebration of the culmination of years of training, hard work, commitment and dedication exhibited by our graduating residents and fellows,” said Stacy Sawtelle Vohra, MD,  Designated Institutional Official and Emergency Medicine Residency Program Director at UCSF Fresno.

“We applaud them as they enter the next phase of their careers and are thrilled that many are staying in the Valley to care, teach, heal and conduct clinical research that addresses Valley health issues.”

The San Joaquin Valley has one of the lowest number of doctors per 100,000 people in California. And about 30 % of the physicians in the region are at or nearing retirement age. UCSF Fresno is the largest academic physician training program in the Valley and the biggest contributor adding physicians to the region’s workforce. For example, 83% of the residents completing training in UCSF Fresno’s four-year Psychiatry Residency Program this year are staying in the Central Valley to provide much needed mental health care.

Residency is the required hands-on clinical training after medical school when clinicians fine tune skills under the guidance of attending faculty members prior to practicing independently. Fellowships are advanced training after residency and are instrumental to retaining residents who wish to continue their medical education in a particular sub-specialty.

“For some of the graduates who completed medical school during the COVID-19 pandemic, this was the first time celebrating a medical education graduation in person,” said Steven Tringali, DO, Acting Director, Clinical Affairs, and Internal Medicine Residency Program Director at UCSF Fresno.

“We are grateful for the tremendous teamwork they have afforded one another, the compassionate care they provide to our patients, and the contributions they have made to our regional campus and community.”

As a regional campus of the UCSF School of Medicine, UCSF Fresno carries out its training and patient care through a network of affiliated partners including Community Health System, VA Central California Health Care, Family HealthCare Network, University Centers of Excellence and many other clinical sites.

 

See the original UCSF press release.

MEMBER NEWS: Delta College partners in ‘Growing Futures:’ turning vineyards into state-of-the-art

 

By Alex Breitler, Director of Marketing, Communications & Outreach

San Joaquin Delta College

 

A new pilot program in the northern San Joaquin Valley is steering youth toward promising careers in their own communities, while also supporting the growing workforce needs of the region’s heritage wine industry.

The “Growing Futures Initiative,” now in its first year, was launched by the nonprofit San Joaquin A+, Delta College (a Central Valley Higher Education Consortium member), Lodi Unified School District and the Lodi Winegrape Commission.

The concept is to put Lodi-area high school students into early college and career programs focused on the wine business and the many career paths it entails – everything from actually growing grapes to running and repairing heavy equipment, operating tasting rooms or marketing.

“This is a growing community, with a lot of opportunities. But a lot of our students leave. They go elsewhere. And we want them to be able to stay here in our county, help grow our county and make it strong,” says Danell Hepworth, dean of Career Technical Education and Workforce Development at Delta College.

Hepworth was one of a number of project organizers interviewed in a new mini-documentary about the Growing Futures Initiative produced by The 74, a nonprofit news organization.

Through paid internships, students have been spending time in vineyards, cleaning tanks, setting tables in tasting rooms, and many other tasks that could give them confidence in selecting a career path in agriculture and, ultimately, the ability to stay close to home to work and raise their families in the future.

The program has a distinctly modern approach, too, as it’s tapping into students enrolled in Lodi Unified’s Valley Robotics Academy, a school whose mission is centered around technology. Tech has many applications in modern agriculture, and young people are in the best position to bring that technology to the forefront in the decades to come.

Don Shalvey, CEO of San Joaquin A+, sums it up in the documentary as, “Do what you love, earn what you need, right where you want to live.”

More details: www.the74million.org/article/how-a-california-wine-region-is-growing-futures-by-turning-vineyards-into-state-of-the-art-classrooms 

 

 

 

 

MEMBER NEWS: Merced Promise Pathway

Representatives from Yosemite Community College District and UC Merced pose for photo following the signing of the Merced Promise Pathway MOU July 11 (left to right): Dr. James Zimmerman, UC Merced special assistant to the provost on Transfer Initiatives; Dr. Chad Redwing, MJC interim president; Dr. Don Davis, YCCD Trustee Area 1; Dr. Marjorie Zatz, UC Merced interim executive vice chancellor and provost; Mrs. Jenny Nicolau, YCCD Trustee Area 4; Mr. Antonio Aguilar, YCCD Trustee Area 7; Dr. Henry C. V. Yong, YCCD chancellor; Dr. Lena Tran, Columbia College president; Mrs. Leslie Beggs, YCCD Trustee Area 6; Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, UC Merced chancellor; Dr. Milton Richards, YCCD Trustee Area 3; Dr. Charles Nies, UC Merced vice chancellor for Student Affairs.

Streamlining the path for students at

Modesto JC, Columbia College to transfer to UC Merced

Students at Modesto Junior College and Columbia College will have increased access to University of California, Merced thanks to an agreement between the university and Yosemite Community College District.

Known as the Merced Promise Pathway Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the agreement between the three Central Valley Higher Education Consortium members provides a clear, streamlined pathway to UC Merced for MJC and Columbia students as well as a variety of supports to help them prepare for life at a four-year university.

CVHEC board members Dr. Henry C. V. Yong, YCCD chancellor (left), and Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz, UC Merced chancellor, signing the Merced Promise Pathway MOU July 11.

YCCD Chancellor Henry C. V. Yong called the agreement “a great day for our students and residents in our district,” which covers all or parts of Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Calaveras and Santa Clara counties.

“With this agreement, our students’ futures are now brighter and more promising,” said Yong, who signed the MOU with UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz at a ceremony on the university campus July 11.

The UC leader said the Merced Promise Pathway will help his campus achieve one of its key goals from its founding in 2005.

“In signing this agreement, we honor the original purpose that impelled the UC system to place its newest campus in the Central Valley – a vow to increase college-going rates among the valley’s population, and a promise of progress and a better life,” Muñoz said.

Highlights of the Merced Promise Pathway include:

• Review pathways to facilitate an orderly and smooth transition from MJC and/or Columbia to UC Merced.

• Attract, track and retain qualified YCCD transfer students to UC Merced with an aspirational goal to increase transfers to 100 students by 2025.

• Target first-year YCCD students for program participation who applied to UC Merced as high school seniors but were not granted admission.

• Develop an online program mapper, a clear, simple-to-use tool that will allow students to select a program of study and accelerate their progress toward completion.

• Develop opportunities for summer undergraduate research projects for community college students on track to transfer to UC Merced.

• Develop a Yosemite Promise Scholars program for students who met specified criteria and for UC Merced to offer a financial scholarship package to attend the university as part of a transfer pathway.

Together, MJC and Columbia serve more than 30,000 students. Many of them are the first in their families to attend college or come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Roughly 75 percent of MJC and Columbia students receive some form of financial aid. Like with CSU Stanislaus in Turlock – another popular transfer destination for YCCD students – the proximity of UC Merced offers an economic incentive for many students and their families.

“Due to UCM’s prime location, many YCCD students will not even have to leave home to attend a UC institution,” Yong said. “They will end up saving money on housing, which they could use for their graduate studies. All in all, this agreement is definitely a pathway to success for MJC and Columbia students.”

This is the third agreement of its kind between UC Merced and community college districts in the Central Valley. The other partnerships include are with Merced College and Fresno City College.

See: full YCCD/UC Merced press release

UC Media Contact: Alyssa Johansen, Public Information Officer
Office: (209) 413-9330 ajohansen@ucmerced.edu

YCCD: Chancellor’s Office: (209) 575-6509, publicaffairs@yosemite.edu

MEMBER NEWS: West Hills College Coalinga picked as Bee’s “best college”

Three CVHEC members honored with Bee’s Central California People Choice Awards for Best College/University awards;
West Hills College Coalinga takes Gold

 

Congratulations to three CVHEC members for earning the Fresno Bee’s Best of Central California People Choice Awards for Best College/University including West Hills College Coalinga receiving the highest honor, the Gold Award.

Fresno State won the Silver Award in that category and West Hills College Lemoore, also a part of the West Hills Community College District, earned the bronze.

The Fresno Bee’s People Choice Awards is a highly anticipated event celebrating Central California’s best businesses and organizations. This year’s competition was fierce, with over 445,000 votes cast by more than 136,000 voters.

West Hills College Coalinga emerged as this year’s top choice, showcasing its strong community support and reputation for excellence.

“We are honored to receive the Gold Award in the Best College/University category of the Fresno Bee’s People Choice Awards,” said Dr. Carla Tweed, President at West Hills College Coalinga.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students who consistently strive for excellence. We are grateful for the community’s and our students’ overwhelming support.”

Similarly, West Hills College Lemoore has reason to celebrate as well earning the Bronze award in two esteemed categories, “Best College/University” and “Trade/Technical School,” in the Fresno Bee’s Best of Central California Awards.

This achievement followed the college’s previous year’s success when it secured the Gold award in the “Best College/University” category. These consecutive wins demonstrate the consistency and quality of education offered at West Hills College Lemoore, said James Preston, president of West Hills College Lemoore and CVHEC board member.

“We are immensely proud to have been honored with the Bronze award in two categories of the Fresno Bee’s Best of Central California Awards,” President Preston said.

“This recognition underscores the dedication and tireless efforts of our faculty, staff, and students. We take great pride in offering a comprehensive range of programs tailored to the needs of our community, empowering our students to achieve their aspirations. Earning bronze in the Trade/Technical school category proves that the career and technical education programs we have built for the past seven years positively impact our community and prepare students to go directly into the workforce.” 

Dr. Kristin Clark, West Hills Community College District chancellor, said the Gold Award for West Hills College Coalinga and the Bronze Awards for West Hills College Lemoore reinforces the importance of quality education and the tireless efforts put forth by these institutions in creating a brighter future for their students and the region as a whole.

“I’m thrilled to see both West Hills Community College District colleges receive this prestigious award and recognition,” said Chancellor Clark, who is chair of the CVHEC Board of Directors. “Our two colleges have faculty and staff who go the extra mile to make students feel at home, and they are relentless in the pursuit of student success.”

 

See press releases:

 WHC-Coalinga  

WHC-Lemoore

Fresno Bee – Best of Central California

MEMBER NEWS: Delta College marks 60 years

Computer science courses have changed just a bit since 1963 (courtesy of SJDC website).

San Joaquin Delta College, a Central Valley Higher Education Consortium member, marked the 60th anniversary of its name this month.

Dr. Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson, SJDC superintendent/president 2023

Founded as Stockton College in 1935, the college adopted its new name July 1, 1963 when the institution separated from the Stockton Unified School District and charted its own course as an independent community college.

“Sixty years is a long time, and it is hard to summarize the immense impact that Delta College has had on the communities we serve over all these years,” said Superintendent/President Lisa Aguilera Lawrenson in a story by Manteca/Ripon Bulletin reporter Alex Breitler earlier this month.

“I’m proud of the efforts of our faculty and staff both past and present, I’m proud of our students and alumni for their perseverance and achievements, I’m thankful to the Board of Trustees for its leadership, and I’m thankful to our communities for their support and partnership,” said the president who sits on the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors.

San Joaquin Delta College actually dates all the way back to 1935, when Stockton College came into existence, Breiter reports. But for many years the College operated under the umbrella of Stockton Unified.

Dr. Burke Bradley – first SJ Delta College president (1963)

Dr. Burke Bradley, who was named president of the College in 1956, ultimately decided that the College would never properly develop until it was able to operate as a totally independent district, according to retired history professor Chuck Bloch.

The public finally approved establishment of an independent college district in September 1962. Leaders studied no fewer than 129 potential names, including “San Joaquin College” and just “Delta College,” before settling on San Joaquin Delta College.

The College officially took control of its own destiny on July 1, 1963, and eventually moved to the present-day Pacific Avenue campus in the 1970s, The Bulletin reported.

 

See SJDC’s website feature with photo gallery.

See Manteca/Ripon Bulletin article.

 

 

 

MEMBER NEWS: New Merced College Isakow Plaza; Historic Commencements

New Merced College Plaza, sculpture unveiled at ‘State of the College;’

60th MC Commencement and first Los Baños campus commencement celebrated

In a one-week span culminating the spring semester, Merced College celebrated several milestones highlighted by its 60th commencement May 26 and followed by the unveiling of the new Hermione Isakow Plaza on campus during President Chris Vitelli’s State of the College address May 30.

And for the first time, a full commencement ceremony was held at MC’s Los Baños Campus on May 25.

The ninth annual Merced College State of the College event was a celebration of the Isakow Family including presentation of the President’s Medallion Award — which recognizes the college’s greatest supporters — to the Isakow family with several family members present.

Located near the front of the campus, the plaza is envisioned as a welcoming space for the community and campus visitors, a gathering place for students and the campus community, a unique learning space for the college’s arts program, and an intimate outdoor location for events.

“The State of the College event is our opportunity to let the community know about all the innovative initiatives happening at Merced College, and to honor a family who has made such a generous contribution to our district,” said President Vitelli, a member of the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium Board of Directors.

“The Hermione Isakow Plaza is a beautiful addition to our Merced campus, providing an engaging new space that will be enjoyed by students and community members alike for decades to come.”

The event drew over 500 supporters including Dr. Benjamín Durán, president-emeritus of Merced College, who is now CVHEC executive director.

“It is aways a delight for me to return to Merced College where I began my college experience as a young student to ultimately having the privilege of serving as President,” Dr. Durán said.

“I was especially touched by the dedication of the Hermione Isakow Tree of Life, because as an immigrant, she understood that Merced College can serve as the tree of life for many of the immigrants attending the college.”

After living most of her life in South Africa, Hermione Isakow and her husband Leiz moved to Merced in 2010 to be closer to their eldest son Isaac and his family.

Hermione’s final years were clouded by a long bout with amyloidosis, and she died in 2020. In 2021, her sons chose to honor her memory and her contributions to their lives through a $1 million gift to fund the design and construction of the Hermione Isakow Plaza.

The centerpiece of the plaza is a large sculpture of a Baobab tree, which carries great symbolic significance in Africa and is known as the “tree of life,” because it produces fruit and nectar year-round and stores large amounts of water in its trunk, even in very dry climates.

Scott and Madelyn McGrath of McGrath Arts in Mariposa designed and built the 4,100-pound, galvanized steel sculpture, which stands at 15 feet tall and includes branches that span 20 feet. The tree is decorated with 3,000 hand-forged metal leaves, orb-shaped fruits, whydah birds, parrots, an owl in a lighted knothole, and 30 lighted flowers. The 6-foot-wide trunk is textured to represent holes made by elephants to pull water from the giant succulent.

The occasion was a fitting tribute to commencement milestones the previous week when the Merced College family noted six decades of graduation exercises and the establishment of the firsts commencement at the Los Baños campus where about 200 students participated in that ceremony held in the quad.

The Los Baños ceremony is the latest in a series of investments and initiatives to grow the campus and give Westside students a complete educational experience close to home.

The campus will soon gain an outdoor gym, allowing the addition of three in-person kinesiology courses. A new campus café will provide hot meals and alleviate food insecurities. New faculty will be added in high-demand fields like welding, computer technology and information systems, and the college’s well-regarded, popular agriculture programs. Construction of a new Child Development Center, for both childcare and training, will be completed this summer.

“Our students already get a top-quality, reasonably priced education right here in their community, and now they can celebrate their graduation here, as well,” said Los Baños Campus Dean of Instruction Jessica Moran.

She called it “an inspiring moment for our graduates and their families, and a milestone for the growth and development of our community.”

Merced College media contact: James Leonard, james.leonard2@mccd.edu, 209-681-1061

See:

Full Merced College press release

Historic MC Commencement – press release

The Merced College Los Banos Campus – Inaugural Commencement

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