President’s Breakfast – Central Valley Higher Education Consortium

President Bennett: Finishing Touches on a 30-Year Career

The Clovis Community College President’s Breakfast on Oct. 25 featured President Lori Bennett’s final State-of-the-College Address before her retirement Jan. 4 culminating nearly 30 years in higher education with the last seven as the head of CCC. She is also a CVHEC board member.

During President Bennett’s tenure, Clovis Community College introduced 70 new degrees and certificates and a competitive athletics program.

Student retention and completion rates have improved and the college has been honored for the high rate of student transfers to four-year colleges including the Campaign for College Opportunity formally recognizing the college four years in a row for its work in increasing the number of students receiving associate degrees for transfer that guarantees transfer to a California State University.

Among the highlights was a presentation on the PODER Program (Title V grant) and a video presenting its successes in increasing the number of Latino and low-income students in the Central Valley who have access to and complete degrees or certificates in STEM disciplines through guided pathways and partnerships that support increased transfer into four-year university STEM programs.

The campus is now preparing for the 6th Annual “Giving Tuesday” Nov.29.

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California’s Newest Community College Makes History

With First President’s Breakfast/State-Of-The-College Address

Two Central Valley Higher Education Consortium members held milestone events this fall with the resumption of their pandemic-delayed President’s Breakfast and State-of-the-College Address: Madera Community College and Clovis Community College Oct. 25.

Madera Community College made campus history Oct. 21 with its first President’s Breakfast since gaining full college status in July 2020 when it became the 116th and newest campus in the California Community College system. The event was kept on the drawing board during the corona virus pandemic until this fall.

Additionally, President Angel Reyna delivered his first State-of-the-College Address during the breakfast held at the Madera County Superintendent of Schools Office where among the many highlights was the screening of an award-winning video, “Sentido de Pertenencia” – a sense of belonging – that won the nationwide “Million Dollar Community College Challenge” sponsored by the Lumina Foundation.

Chosen from among ten finalists announced in August, Madera earned A $1 million grant from Lumina for the winning video that was created by student ambassador Jennifer Hernandez and featured recent alumna Marisela Maciel, an immigrant and mother of three children. The MCC video was also featured in a Forbes article.

The president said the $1 million grant will support several projects such as murals reflecting the community (Chicano art and migrant farmworkers), a multicultural center, web site re-design and initiatives to support students age 25+ as well as identify gaps affecting underserved students.

President Reyna, who was appointed by the State Center Community College District Board of Trustees effective May 20, 2019, reported that Madera Community College will open its 35,000 square-foot Academic Village later this year.

He also announced he is partnering with Dr. Robert Pimentel, Fresno City College president and fellow CVHEC board member, to present a Men of Color Summit set for April 23, 2023 at FCC.

Reyna Begins Tenure as MCCC President

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