Ventura County Community College District

Juneteenth commemorates when Major General Gordon Granger announced on June 19, 1865, the end of slavery in accordance with President Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. On Thursday, there was another major announcement: President Biden signed a bill establishing Juneteenth a federal holiday. (It is the first since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.)

Meet Allison Barton. She serves as the coordinator for @MoorparkCollegeOfficial Student Health Center and works with other campus departments to give a health perspective in support of students. "I really love promoting health and always have. Especially at the young adult stage, students are willing to learn how to make positive life changes and have the support to do soit’s the perfect time to teach them about taking care of themselves to prepare for the years they have ...ahead. I also enjoy working with all my on- and off-campus colleagues." To learn more about Allison and her charming cat that takes over her Zoom yoga classes, click the link to read her employee highlight. https://ecs.page.link/Y7hsb

As we honor the United States flag, we recognize President Woodrow Wilson’s role in officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day. We also thank Ohio high school student Bob Heft for creating the 50-star pattern we know today. The flag he created for a class project in the 1950s made its way to President Eisenhower. On July 4, 1960, the president and Heft watched as the 50-star flag was raised for the first time.

Gerald Richardson III is a prominent role model: a 4.0 GPA graduate of Moorpark College and Oxnard College headed to Stanford University as a 2021 Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholar. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship provides up to $40,000 a year for up to three years for Gerald to pursue his bachelor’s degree. He credits mentors at Oxnard and Moorpark colleges for empowering him and encouraging him to pursue his passion for serving others. Read more: ht...tps://www.vcccd.edu//jack-kent-cooke-foundation-awards-g Photo: (L -> R) Moorpark College President Julius Sokenu, Gerald Richardson III, and Chancellor Greg Gillespie. Photo Credit: Dina Pielaet

"During LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we recognize the resilience and determination of the many individuals who are fighting to live freely and authentically. In doing so, they are opening hearts and minds, and laying the foundation for a more just and equitable America. This Pride Month, we affirm our obligation to uphold the dignity of all people, and dedicate ourselves to protecting the most vulnerable among us." -- President Biden, Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month, June 2021 #VCCCD #CaliforniaCommunityColleges

If you or someone you know needs help with rent, the City of Oxnard has applications for COVID-19 rental assistance. Applications are being accepted from January 11 - 25, 2021. See the flyer below for more info.

Students share how the Moorpark College faculty enhances their education.

Welcome to the Spring 2021 semester! Dr. Amanuel Gebru, Vice President of Student Support at Moorpark College, shows his support with a big thumbs up. Students, you got this! #VCCCD

We wanted to share the statement that California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley issued on Friday following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2021-22 proposed budget: Today, Gov. Newsom released a budget that puts students first. The proposed 2021-22 budget recognizes California’s community colleges for their role in preparing Californians who are on the front lines of protecting public health. The inequities of the pandemic and the economic recession have affected community college students more than any population in higher education. By investing in emergency student assistance and the infrastructure needed to continue bridging the digital divide, we can take the necessary steps to strengthen colleges’ efforts to lead our state to economic recovery. https://www.vcccd.edu//california-community-colleges-chanc

Meet Amparo Medina. She is a Student Success & Support Specialist II for Oxnard College. Since joining OC in 2015, Amparo has worked on multiple mentorship programs and, most recently, is developing a teacher pathway for students interested in becoming STEM teachers for K-12. "Being able to support the needs of Oxnard College students as they navigate their journey and watching them graduate fills my heart with gratitude," she says. Learn more about Amparo: https://www.vcccd.edu//amparo-medina-employee-highlight-se

Please join us in celebrating National Make A Difference Day today. What community service or volunteer project will you be participating in?

Please join us in wishing VCCCD Payroll Supervisor Cheryl Manley a very Happy 19th Work Anniversary today! Congrats, Cheryl, and here's to many more! "I know that I play an important role for every employee we have on staff who teaches our students and our future leaders. I’m proud of the work our office is able to produce and am blessed to work with a huge group of really great people," she says. Read more about Cheryl and how she likes to spend her time outside of work: https://www.vcccd.edu//cheryl-manley-employee-highlight-se

Having a plan is the key to accomplishing any goal. Voting during a pandemic is no different! Whether you are dropping off your ballot at any of the 34 drop-off boxes located throughout the county or you decide to mail in your ballot, make a plan. Set time aside to research the candidates and the propositions. There are nonpartisan organizations that create voter guides to help you make informed decisions. For more info, visit the Ventura County Clerk Office: https://ecs.page.link/F7yp5

Fall graduates...you have one more week to apply for your degree or certificate! Visit your college website or check your student email for details. Have questions? Reach out to your college's Counseling Office to make sure you have met all requirements. The deadline is October 29 at noon.

You are invited to the free Cash 4 College workshops via Zoom on October 24. The financial aid staff at Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges will help you complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and California Dream Act application for the 2021-2022 school year. You can also get information about other financial aid opportunities. Join Zoom workshops at any time during the session. You can also enter a Zoom session of any school. Join from a PC, Mac, ...Linux, iOS or Android. For more information on hours, visit vcccd.edu/cash4college. Estás invitado a los talleres gratuitos de Cash 4 College vía Zoom el 24 de octubre. El personal de ayuda financiera de los colegios de Moorpark, Oxnard, y Ventura te ayudarán a completar tu solicitud de FAFSA (Solicitud gratuita de ayuda federal para estudiantes) o la solicitud del California Dream Act para el año escolar 2021-2022. También puedes obtener información sobre otras oportunidades de ayuda financiera. Únete a los talleres de Zoom en cualquier momento durante la sesión. También puedes entrar a una sesión de Zoom de cualquier colegio. Únete desde una PC, Mac, Linux, iOS o Android. Para obtener más información sobre los horarios, visita la página vcccd.edu/cash4college.

California's Community Colleges serve approximately 70,000 undocumented students in their pursuit of higher education. In honor of these students, today begins Undocumented Student Action Week. VCCCD joins California Community Colleges and its partners across the state to advocate and provide support services for undocumented students in California. VCCCD campuses will partner to provide powerful and impactful virtual events that will provide our students, their families and our community valuable information and resources. For a list of events: VCCCD.edu/undocually Moorpark College Oxnard College Ventura College Ventura College East Campus #USAW2020 #CCCforUndocumentedStudents #UndocumentedStudentActionWeek

Mark your calendar for the Free Cash For College Zoom workshop on Oct. 24! Get help from financial aid staff in completing applications for the 2021-2022 school-year FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the California Dream Act. You can drop in anytime during the Zoom session, and you can attend a workshop for any campus. The workshop is open to the community, too. For Zoom links and times, visit vcccd.edu/cash4college #ICanAffordCollege

At 10:15 a.m. today, millions of people will participate in the world's largest earthquake drill. Have peace of mind that you know what to do in the next earthquake: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Take your #ShakeOut drill a few steps further: Find out how you can secure your space, organize disaster kits, and minimize financial hardship with the 7 Steps to Earthquake Safety: www.EarthquakeCountry.org/sevensteps. Visit www.ShakeOut.org. Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills

Fall 2020 grads, all your hard work is about to pay off! The fall 2020 Grad Petition deadline is in two weeks. Make an appointment with the Counseling Office at your college to confirm you’ve met all the requirements for graduation. If you want to participate in spring grad activities, you have to apply for your degree or certificate by Oct. 29 @ noon. BTW, spring graduates have until March 4 @ noon to apply. Visit your college's website for more info.

Presidential candidates, expanding voter rights, stem cell research and rent control are just a few of the items on this year's ballot. Register to vote today so you can have a say in the issues affecting our community and beyond. Make your voice heard. It takes two minutes and we saved you a step! Here's the link to register: https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

You are invited to the free Cash 4 College workshops via Zoom on October 10 and 24. The financial aid staff at Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges will help you complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and California Dream Act application for the 2021-2022 school year. You can also get information about other financial aid opportunities. Join Zoom workshops at any time during the session. You can also enter a Zoom session of any school on the given da...tes. Join from a PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android. For more information on hours, visit vcccd.edu/cash4college. Estás invitado a los talleres gratuitos de Cash 4 College vía Zoom los días 10 y 24 de octubre. El personal de ayuda financiera de los colegios de Moorpark, Oxnard, y Ventura te ayudarán a completar tu solicitud de FAFSA (Solicitud gratuita de ayuda federal para estudiantes) y California Dream Act para el año escolar 2021-2022. También puedes obtener información sobre otras oportunidades de ayuda financiera. Únete a los talleres de Zoom en cualquier momento durante la sesión. También puedes entrar a una sesión de Zoom de cualquier colegio en las fechas dadas. Únete desde una PC, Mac, Linux, iOS o Android. Para obtener más información sobre los horarios, visite la página vcccd.edu/cash4college.