The Insider: Spring/Summer 2023

SPRING/SUMMER 2023

What's Inside? What's Inside?

ARMENIAN WOMEN AT THE FOREFRONT

Alexandra Der Boghosian covers CSUN event aimed at educating Armenian students, stakeholders, p. 26

STUDENT PARENTS DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALL ALONE

Brittany Klintworth interviews parenting students, p. 11

GCC CARES FOOD PANTRY

Dominique Rocha reports on the Pantry and how students can get access, p 10

Cover Photo by Jacqueline Kamei; Page 2 , 3, 4 and back page photos by Reut Cohen Schorr, unless indicated otherwise

elvaq com

MAGAZINE STAFF

PUBLISHER

Reut Cohen Schorr

rcohen@glendale edu

(818) 240-1000 ext. 5214

DESIGNER

Reut Cohen Schorr

STAFF WRITERS

Alexandra Der Boghosian

Tekla Bostashvili

Sarah Klubov

Ingrid Lohne

Alina Martin

Dominique Rocha

STAFF EDITORS

Tigran Aslanyan

Jessica Galán

Ingrid Lohne

Dominique Rocha

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chris Cicuto

Alex Leon

Corinna Scott

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Glenn Cooper

Eduardo Garcia

Jacqueline Kamei

Sam Lee

Belinda Oldrati

Dominique Rocha

Reut Cohen Schorr

Publisher's Note

Since our last issue was published in July for Summer/Fall 2022, so much has happened within the Journalism Department that deserves the campus' attention Our first Pulitzer Center Fellow, Ms Jacqueline Kamei, traveled to Washington, D.C., where she had the unique opportunity to present her research in front of journalists and other fellows

Our second Pulitzer Center Fellow, Ms Brittany Klintworth, has begun her research into the intersection of women and the garment industry, and an interdisciplinary pilot research symposium (the first of its kind) is getting off the ground thanks to a SIG campus award You can read about these achievements in this

magazine And lots more!

This Spring/Summer 2023 issue of The Insider features articles on GCC's new Parker Award recipient, alumnus Andy Reid's Super Bowl victory, fare-less transportation for college students, GCC's women's basketball successes, low fare for Glendale residents, and a piece on a successful author alumna who fondly recalls her GCC days

Journalism sits under the banner of Language Arts, enjoying support from our esteemed division and colleagues This magazine would not be possible without support from the Division Chair, Lourdes Girardi It is an enormous undertaking, one that is made up of student work That requires several editing attempts There is also the design-element, which includes laying out the magazine. It takes a great many days. So, if you encounter one of the students listed in the "staff" portion, please give them kudos

I would also like to thank my co-founder of the Pulitzer Center, Michelle Stonis, for helping to train our students and prepare them to research gender-oriented topics, and Sarah McLemore, for her collaboration on events, including on the upcoming Symposium that is open to all of GCC

As always, you are warmly invited to submit photos, columns and story ideas. While this magazine can't cover everyone and is only one issue, the goal is always to touch on as many facets of campus life as possible in each publication

Thank you for your continued support and for reading this magazine

Dr. Reut Cohen Schorr Journalism Professor & Publisher

El Vaquero is a proud member of

Journalism Association of Community Colleges

California News Publishers Association

Headshot by Belinda Oldrati

NEWS

GCC CARES Office Launches GoPass Program, Tekla Bostashvili, p 5

Glendale Central Library Pop-Up Event Promotes Low Fare Transit for Public, Ingrid Lohne, p 6

Upcoming GCC Research Symposium, Reut Cohen Schorr, p 7

SPORTS

Tanner Farwell hired as Head Football Coach and Kinesiology Instructor, Chris Cicuto & Alex Leon, p 17

Lady Vaqs Continue to Astound, Win Conference Title, Alex Leon, p. 18

GCC Alumnus Andy Reid coaches Kansas City Chiefs to 38-35 win over Philadelphia Eagles, Alex Leon, p 19

STUDENT RESOURCES

EOPS is Here to Help, Sarah Klubov. p. 7

GCC Eases Challenges of Online and Remote Learning For Students with Disabilities, Corinna Scott, p 8

GCC Cares Food Pantry Seeks to Support Students, Dominque Rocha, p. 10

Understanding the CalFresh Benefit, Alina Martin, p 10

Student Parents Don’t Have To Do It All Alone, Brittany Klintworth, p.12

Making the Most of the Learning Center, Brittany Klintworth, p 12

The Role of the Accommodations Resource Center in Students’ Success at GCC, Alina Martin, p. 13

A Conversation with GCC's Career Services Program Director, Brittany Klintowrth, p 16

FEATURES

Alumna Publishes 5th Novel, Credits GCC Experience as Foundational, Ingrid Lohne, p 20

English Division Chair Honored With Prestigious Award, Ingrid Lohne, p 24

Event Acknowledges

Armenian Female Journalists' Contributions, Alexandra Der Boghosian, p 26

A Conversation with GCC's Career Services Program Director, Brittany Klintworth, p 27

Meet the 2023 Pulitzer Center Fellow, Reut Cohen Schorr, p. 28

GCC Athletic Trainers in the Spotlight, Alex Leon, p 29

The Sustainable Lightness Of Being Offered By Furniture Subscription Services, Ingrid Lohne, p. 30

GCC Goes to Washington, Reut Cohen Schorr, p 31

GCC CARES Office Launches GoPass Program

By Tekla Bostashvili

Glendale Community College has launched a fare-less transportation program GoPass for the 2022-2023 school year

The program is sponsored by the GCC CARES office, geared toward funding programs to help students meet basic needs since its inception GoPass is the most recent one GoPass provides GCC students taking one credit or noncredit course with free unlimited rides on public transportation in most systems in Los Angeles County, including all Metro buses and rail lines, all Glendale Beelines, and 12 other municipal transit systems

According to the National League of Cities, “almost 70% of Metro customers are very low or extremely low-income earners; the median household income of Metro riders is just over $19,000 per year ” Therefore, the groups of people with the most financial hardship are the ones to carry the burden of paying daily for public transportation

“Community college students will spend an average of $1,840 on transportation during the 2021-22 school year more than their counterparts at public and private four-year colleges the College Board reports,” according to the Washington Post.

Community college students are the most affected by the expensive day and monthly passes for public transit, research found, and with Los Angeles having the most expensive transit among the largest counties in the country, the issue is clearly in our own backyard This is why, supporters say, the new GoPass program is so important for GCC students. GCC Cares seeks to allow students to focus on their coursework and academic careers without worrying about how they’ll be able to commute to class

The application for GoPass is free and available on the GCC website under Student Basic Needs and all students taking one credit or noncredit course can apply Students can either pick up their pass at the GCC CARES office, or have it mailed to them Passes are valid for the entire year, just after the students use it at least once in the first 30 days

GCC Courtesy Photo

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Glendale Central Library Pop-Up Event Promotes Low Fare Transit for Public

Program is a specifically hopes to reach low-income riders where they live, work

By Ingrid Lohne

Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) “is a transformative program which represents greater mobility opportunities for residents

across Los Angeles County,” said Glendale Councilmember and Metro Board Chair Ara Najarian on the chilly morning of Nov 3 on the steps of Glendale Central Library “I am excited to see the first in-person pop-up enrollment event in Glendale We want to get the word out about how the LIFE program provides expanded mobility and financial relief to low-income residents, especially in light of record high gasoline prices ”

In-person outreach is part of a cross-organizational county-wide effort between LA County Metro and 14 transit agencies to increase overall participation in the LIFE program “Our board made a motion at the end of last year to double the number of enrolled LIFE participants by the end of 2022 At that time, there were around 91,000 participants As of today, at around 98 7% - we’re very close to doubling the goal, slightly ahead of schedule We’re excited about that!” said Devon Deming, Deputy Executive Officer of Metro’s Fareless System Initiative Meeting the goal requires enrolling about 1,500 people by year’s end

While LIFE provides an excellent low-cost/no-cost transportation option for most low-income LA County residents, including family members of GCC students, GoPass is a better deal for GCC students –it’s free In August, Glendale Community College (GCC), the City of Glendale Beeline, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced the GoPass program that allows all GCC students who enroll to receive a year-long transit pass good for unlimited free bus and train rides across participating transit systems

LA County Metro, Glendale Beeline, and LA County Department of Social Services representatives were on hand to enroll applicants and address other basic needs of low-income residents Many low-income riders use cash for their transport purchases, making them inaccessible to electronic means of program awareness Locations of in-person pop-up

events are chosen to specifically reach low-income riders where they work and live Applications are available 24/7 on the Metro website

“We are here today to support the LIFE program and offer Glendale Beeline information to our residence,” said Glendale Beeline representative Tatevik Vardanyan “Working with the LIFE program expands the mobility of transit users and offers them broader access to public transportation ” According to their website, the Glendale Beeline operates twelve fixed routes serving the cities of Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge and the unincorporated areas of La Crescenta and Montrose The Beeline functions primarily as a community circulator system that complements the regional transit service provided to Glendale residents by Metro routes

“The Metro’s LIFE program makes free rides available for the low-income population, with qualifications, 20 free rides per month for 12 months To qualify, you must be low-income or have access to public benefits,” said LIFE program administrator and International Institute of Los Angeles’ case manager Erick Burgos “If you need more than 20 free rides, you can get discounts on monthly passes or access student passes ” Firsttime LIFE program applicants get a free 90-day Metro pass after approval The rider then chooses between 20 free rides a month or unlimited rides for $24 a month Both options significantly discount the regular pass price of $100/month For a household of one, annual income must be $41,700 or less to qualify

“Another important resource for students is access to debt forgiveness and assistance with utility bills (energy, gas, phone, internet) through the California Public Utilities Commission,” said Burgos “International Institute of Los Angeles can assist low-income residents and students with access to a variety of services ”

All GCC Students are eligible for a free GoPass, which is good for unlimited rides on Metro, Glendale Beeline, and 12 other transit agencies To get your free student GoPass, fill out an application or contact the GCC Cares office at GoPass@glendale edu

GCC to Host First Ever Research Symposium

By Reut Cohen Schorr

For the first time, Glendale Community College will host a Research Symposium, inviting students from across disciplines to share their research The program will be held on May 15 in Sierra Vista 130 from noon to 4 p m There will be both inperson and hybrid components to appeal to different student participants

Students will be able to present their research in various mediums, including, traditional and nontraditional (oral, PowerPoint, essay, visual, and more) Students can present research they wrote about in an essay, share any print or digital art they created for a class, or any other kind of major class assignment

The pilot committee for the symposium is made up of English division chair Sarah McLemore, English instructor Heather Ramos, speech instructor Samantha Garaliano, and journalism instructor Reut Cohen Schorr While the faculty involved are from the English and Language Arts divisions, the Symposium is meant for all of campus as a truly interdisciplinary effort Faculty are encouraged to nominate students or encourage students to apply to participate in the Symposium Applications are due by April 14

If you are a faculty member with questions, please reach out to Sarah McLemore at sarahm@glendale edu

If you are a student and have questions, please reach out to Reut Cohen Schorr at rcohen@glendale edu

Interested students who would like to present can scan the QR code on this page or visit the following link fill out a special form: bit.ly/GCCSymposiumForm

EOPS is Here to Help

By Sarah Klubov

Since 1969, the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) program has provided assistance to students disadvantaged by educational, economic, social and linguistic barriers to receive the help they need to succeed at Glendale Community College

EOPS benefits include counseling for both individuals and groups EOPS assists with educational plans, study lists, and customized semester plans An educational plan often includes all of the courses needed to graduate or transfer Counselors review and update educational plans every semester Other benefits include tutoring, book vouchers, scholarships and job recommendations Grants and emergency loans are available for students who need financial help

To qualify for the EOPS program a student must be a California resident or a AB 450 dreamer as well as taking 12 units when accepted and not having completed more than 70 units of credit work in college There is no no need to reapply after the first application For other restrictions visit: EOPS Application Process | Glendale Community College the EOPS office can be reached at (818) 240-1000 ext 6900 or by visiting www glendale edu/eops for more information

Applying for EOPS is easy Log in to MyGCC, and click on “other services” Next click on the “My EOPS application” tab and fill it out The application status will be available in one business day The application deadline varies each semester

EOPS office hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30 am to 7 p m On Wednesdays, hours are 8:30 am to noon and 1:00 p m to 7 p m Friday hours are 8:30 am to 3:00 p m The location of the EOPS office is on the third floor of the Sierra Vista building

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Event seeks to allow students to network, develop professional relationships

GCC Eases Challenges of Online and Remote Learning For Students with Disabilities

StockphotoVectorImagesDesignbyReutCohenSchorr

By Corinna Scott

Students with disabilities have a wide variety of services available to them through Glendale Community College’s website, including employment support, technology resources such as loaner iPads, and help with studies and academic counseling.

The Center for Students with Disabilities connects with the Accommodations Resource Center (formerly known as HTC and IAC) and the Disabled Students Programs and Services or DSPS office in their combined effort to serve the student body If a student is eligible for DSPS, then the ARC can assess individual technology needs

Working with GCC and DSPS has been easy and accessible, said Cecilia Whitney, a sophomore majoring in Media and Communications, in an interview

“The faculty I’ve worked with have also had a positive and ready-to-work attitude. Diana Carillo is my counselor, and she has assisted me with my student education plan and with choosing the accommodations that I need.”

The staff also does a great job of getting information back to students quickly, according to Whitney.

“My message to new GCC students is to never be afraid to ask for help. I would also like to add that it’s better to reserve appointments earlier than later. Especially if the appointments concern accommodations. It’s better to start class with the accommodations than to have to wait for them to be applied,” Whitney said.

When Caroline De La Rocha, a student majoring in social work, first decided to enroll at GCC, she said she felt reluctant, thinking she would have “too many learning difficulties to pass my classes, and I probably wasn’t going to be able to manage the classes I had enrolled in.”

However, the Center for Students with Disabilities staff was “supportive and accommodating to me and my individual learning needs through this whole process,” De La Rocha said.

“Additionally, Ellen Oppenberg (professor and DSPS specialist) has helped to provide me with a lot of great tools to help me retain study materials and understand what it is that I am doing. She has also helped me to acquire accommodations such as note-taking and longer test time, and has met with me over phone conference and Zoom to discuss any issue that I might be having,” De La Rocha said.

“Overall, I can say that I feel much more confident in my classes and very well taken care of. I really feel that any student who has learning disabilities should definitely take advantage of the wonderful disabilities department that GCC provides,” De La Rocha said.

Jasmine Matthews, a sophomore studying Creative Writing, reached out to ARC and the DSPS office.

In an interview she mentioned how “both [offices] were able to accommodate [Matthews] adequately by reaching out to instructors, applying for services [she] needed, and helping [her] set up a Student Education Plan (SEP) ” The staff at DSPS “helped me get the best accommodations and accommodation plan I needed Even when there are occasional hiccups, they are easy to contact for quick solutions,” Matthews said

Currently, due to learning being largely remote, the offices are unable to administer the Learning Disability assessment to incoming students with disabilities or ones looking to see if they qualify for DSPS services, according to an email sent by Oppenberg The reason for this is because it is a standardized test that is not intended to be given other than in person The part that we were able to administer is the intake portion of the assessment “Temporary accommodations are being given while we are remote if, in my professional opinion, the student will most likely qualify for DSPS services once we are back in person and I can administer the full LD assessment,” Oppenberg said in an email

If you’d like an appointment to discuss which of DSPS resources could work for your needs, make an appointment via csd@glendale edu or 818-240-1000 ext 5905 Ellen Oppenberg can be reached by phone at 818-240-1000 ext 5529 or by email at: elleno@glendale edu

"Thestaffalsodoesa greatjobofgetting informationbackto studentsquickly, accordingtoWhitney"

GCC CARES Food Pantry Seeks to Support Students in Need

By Dominique Rocha

Glendale Community College’s care program, GCC CARES, is a basic needs center on campus that is able to provide students in need with goods and services, such as transportation, housing, food, and utilities, and help address other issues that might interfere with one’s education

Since the program began six years ago, student need has been the top priority for GCC CARES However in the more recent years, that necessity for school funded relief has increased

One of the largest programs that GCC CARES provides is the Food Pantry. Prior to the pandemic, a study was conducted to find out how many students across state-wide community colleges were in need of basic securities The study found that at least 60% of students were lacking in one area or another The study also found that 33% of those students did not have access to enough food

Beyond that, our present economy is contributing to the increasing amount of hardship affecting students across the country. Inflation has caused the price of food to rise, leading to a larger demand for food pantries Pantry staples, such as oil, rice, and canned foods, are facing some of the biggest cost increases in food items “We are seeing price increases on the lower end items that range anywhere from 60-150 percent,” said Andre Manukyan, who is the manager of GCC CARES

Understanding the CalFresh Benefit

By Alina Martin

CalFresh, a government-run program aimed at helping low income families gain access to nutritious food, is available to Glendale Community College students that apply in the 2022 academic year

The CalFresh program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, offers households and individuals monthly financial assistance in order to afford meals and other basic necessities Jacqueline Kamei, a former GCC CalFresh ambassador, helped to shed light on requirements in an email interview.

Jacqueline Kamei, a former GCC CalFresh ambassador, helped to shed light on requirements in an email interview “Even if students are not sure about whether they would be eligible for the program, it is always beneficial to apply because there have been cases where people were eligible despite initially thinking that they did not qualify,” said Kamei “When I was in the ambassador program, we were also informed that calling the number 2-1-1 which is a phone line meant to help people with food resources as well as other essential services, could be beneficial , ” she continued 2-1-1 is a free telephone number providing access to local community services

Kamei was asked about how students should sign up for the program and how the application process works for GCC students “GCC students would have to fill out an online application,” she explained “They would go to www students getcalfresh org/s/ ccc and complete the online application, which often takes

The GCC Food Pantry provides food and groceries, including produce, non-perishable food items, pantry staples and even hygiene products The Food Pantry receives daily deliveries of donations from Trader Joes The pantry is open to any students who are enrolled in at least one class at the Verdugo or Garfield campuses and are food insecure. Students can make an appointment once a week, up to 14 days in advance. The Food Pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 11a m to 4 p m and can be located at the San Rafael building, Room 122

For more information, visit: www glendale edu/FoodPantry

less than 10 minutes

If the student would like some assistance with filling out their CalFresh application, they could contact CalFreshOutreach@glendale edu with their questions ”

Kamei stressed that “applicants also need to submit proof of their eligibility through various documents, such as a copy of your ID, Proof of income, Proof of Immigration, Proof of student status. The application will then be reviewed by a county caseworker, and the applicant will be informed of whether they are eligible for CalFresh It takes approximately 30 days for the application to be reviewed

Over this period, there will also be an interview conducted by the county, in person or by phone

Once approved, applicants will receive their Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT), which they could begin using at grocery stores, farmers markets, and select restaurants ”

Eligibility for CalFresh benefits is based upon the number of people that reside in a household. The amount of benefits received depends on household income and certain expenses

According to CalFresh Data, effective Oct. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022, the Gross Monthly income needs to be at $2904 00 and net monthly income at $1,452 for a household of two

Inside the GCC Food Pantry.

Dominque Rocha, Staff Photographer

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Student Parents Don’t Have To Do It All Alone

Juggling the responsibilities of raising a child is already a full-time job; adding school to the equation doesn’t have to be unfathomable

By Brittany Klintworth

Low-income student parents have a lot on their plates, and the CalWORKs Parents Program is there to help lessen their load

One distinctive feature of the program is access to Peer Mentors who will help guide and support parenting students

“CalWORKs peer mentoring is a program designed to help fellow student-parents in every challenging situation by sharing the experiences and knowledge we gained through the years,” said Yelena Margaryan, one of the program’s Peer Mentors, in an interview “Being a parenting student and experiencing the same obstacles and difficulties peer mentors are meant to be a vivid example of success and encouragement for their peers ” Margaryan explained that peer mentors connect with their mentees weekly for support and motivation, creating an environment built on trust and confidence

This program helps parents enroll with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services Involvement grants parents access to free or low-cost childcare and reimbursement for school supplies such as books, laptops, and even enrollment fees Additionally, they’ll have access to career counseling, and work-study where they can work for GCC remotely, earning income that will not reduce their cash aid, and of course, a peer mentor

“Being a CalWORKs student has a lot of advantages,” Margaryan shared “First, CalWORKs Students receive priority registration and twice-yearly grants They receive guidance with their advanced payments from the Gain program Besides, CalWORKs organizes different workshops and meetings sharing important information that help students to succeed in college and take steps of transferring to [a] four year institution ”

Universities want student parents to transfer to their schools, according to the Parenting Students page on the GCC website The website suggests that universities like parent students because these individuals have life experience and knowledge that others don’t

“My goal when mentoring a parent-student is to empower them,” explained Margaryan, “to make them believe that they are capable of much more than they think and that by applying for a college they already did the most important step, and now they have me and all CalWORKs team by them to help them overcome any difficulties, graduate and be role models for their children ”

Peer mentors can be a beacon of hope for students and help them remain vigilant in their education and career goals

“The most recent case that I remember helping a student is when she had family issues and was going through a lot, she decided to drop off college,” shared Margaryan “but after talking and working with her for some time she changed her mind The other case is when the student was new to campus and CalWORKs as well and shared with me that she couldn’t afford to buy all the required books, so I told her not to worry as all the students receive advance payment for schoolbooks and supplies ”

GCC offers financial assistance and an array of other resources to make college a place where students can thrive There is a parents club, financial aid prospects, and access to help with food and housing It can seem overwhelming at glance, but the CalWORKs Peer Mentors have the knowledge to help direct student parents in the right direction to access resources and help

“The best thing that I can do is forward them to a specialist that is specialized in a specific field that relates to the question, as well as share my own experience,”Narine Harutyunyan, another CalWORKs Peer Mentor, said “The last time, a student told me about having difficulties with her assignments sometimes In this case, the best thing I can do is suggest to her the Learning Center Services we offer at GCC Students are able to get help even on weekends ”

Student parents have the gratifying opportunity to pay it forward and become Peer Mentors for the program “It’s been almost two months since I started working as a Peer Mentor at GCC CalWORKs Office,” said Harutyunyan “My interview was

scheduled for the day of my birthday, so I got the best present ever to find out that I am hired as a Peer Mentor For me, as a person who moved to a new country and English is her third language, it was a feeling of fulfillment and joy that filled me for the moment My husband told me, ‘Could you ever imagine that you're going to work for an institution like GCC?’ So, being a woman in her late 30s, and someone that had to start all over in a new country with regard to self-realization was a huge step forward for me Besides, the fact that I will be able to help people that were in a similar situation as I am inspires me the most It is later that I was able to find out about the environment that I had the luck to find myself in ”

The Peer Mentors are GCC CalWORKs students, so they have a special understanding because of the similar shared experience

“I think the best thing I can do for the students is to be a chain binding students and the GCC staff together,” Harutyunyan stated

“Furthermore, a Peer Mentor should direct the student to the right person or department My main goal is to help the best I can and not mislead or harm

Harutyunayn continued, “The fact that I had my own Peer Mentor at some point, makes it obvious that it is on the Peer Mentor to establish that trusted connection between the student and the Peer Mentor ”For those wishing to enroll in the CalWORKs Parents program, they should email cwvdoc@glendale edu with the subject line “New Student” and include a phone number they can be reached at Someone from the program will call and help guide students through the enrollment process

“I think the advantages the program offers can provide a clearer vision of the future to those that need that 'vision' the most,” said Harutyunyan “There are parents that had dreams and plans for the future that were interrupted at some point Now, the CalWORKs program gives that hope and belief in the future back to those who are open to receiving it Moreover, these are the words of a person who speaks from her own experience ”

Comprehensive information about the CalWORKs Parents Program can be found here: https://www glendale edu/s tudents/studentservices/calworks-parentsprogram

Making the Most of the Learning Center

By Brittany Klintworth

One of the myriad resources GCC’s Learning Center offers is free 24/7 tutoring options to help GCC students excel, with the choice of in-person, online, or remote El Vaquero explored these resources

“Tutoring is effective studying, so tutoring is useful for all students,” Shant Shahoian, a faculty coordinator for the Learning Center said “Some think that tutoring is only beneficial when you are struggling ” “We had a student with a 98% in organic chemistry visit our organic chemistry tutor, saying, ‘I can’t find a better study partner anywhere!’ We also have students struggling come in, of course, but everyone benefits from having a great study partner ”

Students with busy lives need options

A round-the-clock tutoring option is available courtesy of SmartThinking. SmartThinking is a Pearson resource and can be accessed through Canvas by selecting the “Free Online Tutoring” option on the left side However, it should be noted that specific subjects are only available during peak hours SmartThinking has a schedule available on the student's Smarthinking account that details when topics are available for tutoring With this resource, students are granted eight hours of online tutoring per semester If more hours are needed, students can email Shant Shahoian: at shants@glendale edu

Shahoian described how tutoring can help students be productive “Tutoring saves time,” Shahoian said “Staring at a math problem or an empty word document for hours, praying for inspiration or a lightning bolt to strike, is time wasted. Working with a tutor can help you move through your studies more efficiently ”

Live tutoring is also an option through the Student Center Currently, the Student Center's hours for the Fall 2022 semester are Monday through Thursday from 8 a m to 4 p m and Friday from 8 a m to 2 p m These hours are subject to change Students may drop in and try to get a slot, but the best way to guarantee a tutoring slot is to make an appointment

The theme of The Learning Center is accessibility, from how students can receive tutoring to how they can make an appointment Students can make an appointment one of three ways The first option is in person (masks are currently required inside any GCC buildings) at the Learning Center, in AD room 232 Another option is online through Canvas by selecting the "Free Online Tutoring" option on the left side, the same as accessing the SmartThinking feature The final option is to call the Learning Center If calling, the student must leave the following information: name, student ID number, days and times that are preferable for the appointment, the name of the class you want tutoring for, and a phone number for them to call back to confirm the appointment These appointments last for 30 minutes Similar to SmartThinking, there are some limitations. Students are allocated two appointments per class each week, and on different days The Learning Center is also available for students to come in to study

Amongst the varied resources the Learning Center offers, students can make one-hour appointments to use Grammarly premium for free This freebie is obtainable through the "Free Online Tutoring" tab on the left side of Canvas, or by reaching out directly to a Learning Center staff member Additionally, multiple workshops are offered for the Fall 2022 semester Some professors will even offer extra credit if students attend specific workshops Students should navigate the college’s main page The "student resources" section on the Learning Center page includes links to free resources “Truly educated students know to use all the tools at their disposal,” said Shahoian “Ultimately, critical thinking is resourcefulness, drawing on all the information, all the angles, and yes, all the tools available, to arrive at the best possible answers and outcomes Some GCC students learned this secret: Use all the resources available to you to maximize your success But all GCC students should know this secret.”

The Learning Center can be reached at (818)-240-1000 ext 5333 or visit: bit ly/GCCLearningCenter

The Role of the Accommodations Resource Center in Students’ Success at GCC

By Alina Martin Glendale Community College’s

mission statement suggests that it prides itself on serving and representing students from all backgrounds The school is rich with a diverse student and staff body that is made up of different races, genders, ethnicities, socioeconomic status, and students with different kinds of disabilities As a disabled student, the Accommodations Resource Center (ARC) and Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) have both played an instrumental role in helping me excel in my studies Being almost at the finish line, I cannot wait to wheel across that graduation stage I can’t do that without reflecting back and sharing my own personal experience with the DSPS and ARC services

To backtrack, I began taking classes at GCC in the Spring of 2018 I found out about DSPS through a friend of mine who had the same disability as me She recommended that I go meet with her counselor, who ended up becoming my original counselor prior switching to Rita Zoboyan My friend shared her experiences with DSPS with me when we were out together one day back in 2017 She told me about her counselor at the time, Mary Elizabeth, who retired a few years ago After her retirement, I was paired with Zoboyan and she has been with me ever since I couldn’t be more thankful and grateful to her for all the support she has given me over the years Throughout my years with her, Zoboyan has been a tremendous help in guiding me in my years at GCC She deeply cares about her students, and is always willing to go an extra mile in order to meet their needs In all of my meetings with her, she is always prepared, knowledgeable, and eager to help I am very grateful to her for all the assistance she has given me

At ARC, I met Mauricio Melendez and Ellen Oppenberg

Melendez was a tremendous help to me In 2019, when I was taking math courses, he served as my tutor when I

was struggling to understand the material that was covered in class I would always make appointments with him for tutoring sessions for my statistics class In my one-onone sessions with him, he was beyond patient. He always explained things in a very concise and simple way He has unique ways of explaining math that is very easy to latch onto He really takes his time with each student to make sure they understand what they are supposed to do The area he helped me the most during my time there was graphing. Since I was physically unable to do the graphing of equations on my own, I would tell and show him how to graph an equation, and he’d graph it on my behalf Last, but not least, I want to give a major shout out to Ellen Oppenberg

Oppenberg has truly gone above and beyond to help me succeed in every way possible I can honestly say that she loves what she does and she loves helping her students thrive Every semester she’d reach out to every one of my professors on my behalf to introduce me to them, and tell them about my unique needs She has advocated on my behalf in order for me to get extended time on tests, quizzes, and assignments

It is with a heavy heart to say that my time at GCC is ending I am one semester away from graduating from Glendale Community College The thought of graduating brings

me a sense of accomplishment, pride, and just a little bit of sadness to go along with it. I can honestly say that I am very proud to be a Vaquero College has been a very pivotal time in my life. I’ve grown and experienced so many things here that were instrumental and crucial to my growth both as a student and as a person

From the moment I stepped foot here, I was met with phenomenal professors, counselor, and student peers, most of whom I’ve established great friendships with that I know will last me a lifetime To all of you who have embarked on my college journey with me, please know that you will always be held by me in the highest regard.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I want to thank my mom for helping me get through college She was my note taker in the majority of my classes, in addition to being my personal tutor at home Thank you, mom, for being there throughout all of the highs and lows that college has brought I couldn’t have done it without you Graduation is a goal that I could not have achieved all by myself

Two GCC departments, previously mentioned in this article, deserve special acknowledgement, the Center for Students with Disabilities and Accommodations Resource Center The Center for Students with Disabilities is a portion of

Soon-to-be alumna describes her experiences

CourtesyPhot

counseling services, comprised of a team of counselors who specialize in working with disabled students These counselors work to help students sign up for the classes they need to take each semester If a student is in need of extended hours in testing, or if they need tutoring services, it is the counselor’s job to direct the student to go to the Accommodations Resource Center, where the staff there are equipped to meet the students’ needs

The team there work with other offices and departments within the college to ensure their student is well represented

The Accommodations Resource Center is department within the school that dedicates itself to serving and meeting the needs of the disabled community, and helping them make the most of their time at Glendale College. The center is located on the first floor in the San Gabriel building, SG 108. The center grants qualified students access to extended time on class tests, help with study skills, and strategies to class success Additionally, the center offers students with one-on-one tutoring sessions in math and English.

The ARC is also responsible for helping students gain access to assistive technology, such as smart pens and iPads, offers assistive technology trainings, adaptive computer classes, technology access evaluations, and access to audiobooks If students are interested in seeking out these options, they should meet one-on-one with a specialist to discuss which of these options are best suited for their unique educational needs

The Center is also well equipped in handling the needs of blind students through the means of the alternate media center within the department The alternate media center is specialized in working with students who have visual and hearing impairments. The specialists there work to ensure that these students have their courses accessible to them, in such a way that is uniquely tailored to their individual unique needs. This means translating text into electronic text that is used with a screen reader, or text-to-speech software, screen magnification, producing large text, and braille or tactile graphics For those students who are deaf, the center has ASL translators, as well as captioning services that are available to them.

In addition to these services, the center offers note taking services to students who struggle or fall behind in taking notes throughout class lectures

There is a wide range of note taking services that will be presented to students, including: giving a student the option of recording a class lecture in order to be able to replay it and complete their notes, or providing a student with a note taker In order for the student to get assigned a note taker, there has to be another student in the class who is willing to take on the responsibility This student will receive a bookstore voucher for carrying out this service to help out their fellow classmate DSPS provides a special carbon paper to the note taker, so this way as they are taking their own notes, if they put the carbon paper underneath their paper, everything they write will get duplicated onto the carbon paper This way they do not have to write it twice

Further, the center provides assistive software technologies for students who are unable to read and write Lastly, this center provides students with extended time on exams They have individual rooms preserved for test taking in which students have a quiet area to focus on their exam free of distractions

The ARC staff is comprised of highly trained professionals each tasked with a different role I had the privilege of conducting a written interview with two individuals that work at the ARC, as well as interviewing one of the counselors from the Center for Students with Disabilities, Rita Zoboyaan. Two of the interviewees who currently work at the center include Ellen Oppenberg and Mauricio Melendez

Melendez serves as the instructional Support Tech at the center He discussed in a written interview what he believes the center’s role

in the students’ success at GCC. “The role of the Accommodations Resource Center (ARC) is to provide a space, both virtual and physical, to students with disabilities that is conducive to the accomplishments of educational goals,” he said “To that end, the ARC is a place where students with disabilities initiate and establish an accommodations contract that addresses individual needs such as test proctoring accommodations, or specialized tutoring.”

He was further asked to provide an estimated figure as to the number of students he works with on a daily basis, and what types of help these students require “Currently, I am helping, on average, about five students per day,” he said. The most prominent need is the subject of statistics, which appears in multiple required math courses The biggest obstacle is the development of the language germane to the subject For example, students know how to find the slope of the least squares regression line, using statistical software; but “need help understanding what a least squares regression line represents, what the software is doing to calculate the slope, and the interpretation of the slope with respect to the problem ” Finally, Melendez was asked what he best enjoys about his job, he replied to this question by saying, “every semester, I get to work with students that inspire me ” He continued, “students who despite their disability, remain positive and motivated about learning.” He provided a quote by Carl F Gauss that he thinks accurately sums up his position at the center: “It is not knowledge, but the act of learning, not possession but the act of getting there, which grants the greatest enjoyment ”

Another written interview was conducted with Ellen Oppenberg, who serves as the Learning Specialist at

the center where she was asked how she could best describe the role that the center plays in the overall success of each student based upon her job position and perspective Upon which she replied, “we are a multifaceted service. I think the name ARC (Accommodations Resource Center) fits our center well for that very reason We offer everything to help DSPS students have a successful semester. All they have to do is ask Tutoring in math, English; speaking with a Learning Specialist about successful study tips and how to manage their disability; test proctoring (online and in person); progress monitoring done by Learning Specialists that track how students are doing in their classes; technology apps and programs; online and in person meetings with ARC Tech Specialists; specialized CABOT classes; ST DV 143 (for tutoring credit and bi-weekly progress checks with a Learning Specialist); Learning Disability Assessments; Campus and community resources ”

She was further asked to provide an estimate as to how many students the center works with on an everyday basis, and additionally, she was asked about the students’ needs. “Just the number of students alone, during this particular semester, amounted to nearly 300 spread among all of the ARC Specialists For me, I think that number this semester is close to 30 Of the 30 I am mentioning, for some, they are requesting me to look over their assignments and papers that they have written, for others they need me to keep in contact with them to keep them motivated and on task, for others and with their permission – I correspond with their instructors to see how I can be more helpful to the student and how they are surviving in the class.”

Oppenberg explained how she and the center as a

whole have an approach to working with multiple instructors throughout the course of each semester in an effort to ensure the success of each one of her students “We are an extremely cohesive department that is dedicated to being visible all over campus What this means is that we are often offering workshops to faculty and staff about our services and understanding disabilities more fully; I send out hundreds of emails per semester to keep in touch with the instructors our students are taking and to inform them of how our accommodations process works In other words, we

DSPS in the success of GCC students. “At the basic level, the role is to provide the support and eligible services and accommodations for students to access education Beyond that, I hope that the workshops (such as Student Success) and events that we host (such as Welcome Back Fall Kick Off, Alumni Panel, Resource Fair, etc.) help build a sense of belonging and work toward destigmatizing disabilities and empowering our students,” Zoboyan said

“Our new group, Creative Minds, is the student branch and we're excited to help develop their goals and outreach,” she continued.

We are an extremely cohesive department that is dedicated to being visible all over campus What this means is that we are often offering workshops to faculty and staff about our services and understanding disabilities more fully

take the time always to educate the faculty and communicate with them. In return, I get a lot of faculty who feel comfortable enough to email me questions about students and how to work with students in a more successful way.” When asked to provide a quote in which she believes best describes her job she said: “Kindness and understanding spoken here This is the motto that I live by and work by. So many of our students have had difficulties in their life where they have been mistreated or misunderstood because of their disability Everybody needs to be validated and treated with dignity They will never receive less than that from me. I will always work hard to help them succeed ”

My final written interview was with one of the counselors from DSPS, Rita Zoboyan, who happens to have been my counselor for the past three years.

Zoboyan was questioned in regards to how she best characterizes the role of

Zoboyan was also asked how the DSPS division works witheducators to ensure the success of students “As I mentioned, we work with students and instructors to set up accommodations and services Additionally, DSPS provides training to GCC personnel to help faculty and staff understand our role, the process, and our students' needs For example, we have in the last four years presented twice at Faculty Institute Day on DSPS and neurodiversity We present to various divisions to answer their specific questions and educate them on techniques of working with students with disabilities We are involved in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) committee, as well as the Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) committee to ensure that the needs of individuals with disabilities are included in decision making and courses. We bring in guest presenters/organizations such as Disability Rights activist Judy Heumann and

the Armenian Autism Outreach Project (AAOP) to co-facilitate workshops

We open our events, such as the DSPS Book Club, to GCC personnel so that they can learn more about disability communities and experiences By providing information and opportunities such as these, we are helping educators work with student populations, recognize the strengths of individuals with disabilities, and destigmatize disabilities.”

When asked for a ballpark estimate as to how many students she personally helps on an one-on-one basis, she explained that it is sizeable “Fall semester so far has been around 360 student contacts,” she said Later in the interview, Zoboyan was asked to provide a quote that best captures her role “I'm a GCC alumna and my counselor, Sharon Combs, was incredible,” she recalled “She helped me see my own strengths and worth outside of just academics She and Dean Smith were very instrumental in my development I hope to provide the same with my students ” As for what Zoboyan enjoys most about her job, it is “forming the connections and seeing the growth and progress of my students ” She said she really enjoys when alumni reach back out after graduation via emails or calls

I would like to give my gratitude to GCC. I will miss you!

Learn more about DSPS: bit.ly/DSPSGCC

Learn more about the ARC: https://bit.ly/ARCGCC

AConversationwithGCC ' s CareerServices ProgramDirector

By Brittany Klintworth

GCC students and community visited the annual spring job fair in Plaza Vaquero on GCC’s Verdugo campus on March 23, to meet potential future employers El Vaquero interviewed the event's program director to learn about various opportunities “This job fair is free–at no cost,” shared Sharis Davoodi, Programs and Services Specialist for GCC Career Services, during a Zoom interview. “We are open to everyone.”

“We often have parents or siblings that join this job fair Anyone that needs employment at this point in their life are welcome to attend,” said Davoodi “We also have worked very closely with GUSD for this upcoming job fair Several local high schools will be bussed in as a field trip to attend and partake in this job fair Most of them would be juniors and seniors in their local high schools who are enrolled in our current dual enrollment programs,” she explained “Specifically, those seniors who are looking for opportunities to work during summer and then transition into college, and this allows them to explore and experience what other college students are doing ”

While this event welcomes all, GCC Career Services, the hosts of the event, arranged everything with the needs of its students at the forefront

“We have a lot of students that are dedicated, and they’re fulltime, and we understand that education is a priority for them,” Davoodi assured. “School comes first, and with that mindset, we still offer opportunities for them to work in our local businesses Local industry partners offer opportunities to our students, our alumni, and our community members to work during summers ”

Career Services is diligent with its employer selection process “We hand-pick employers that are flexible with the schedules that they provide to our students,” Davoodi explained “Just because they get hired now, middle of semester with a certain schedule, it doesn’t mean it’s gonna be the same once comes fall, so employers that come to us they are fully aware that students will need to have flexible schedules ”

Davoodi explained that her office seeks to bring organizations with varying hours, not just a traditional 8 to 5 job They try to include employers that are open on weekends, evenings, early mornings, and even include remote and hybrid opportunities to accommodate student and parent needs, according to Davoodi.

In addition to providing potential employers with broad schedules, a variety of companies come to GCC to find talent “We try our best to make sure there is at least one or two companies from every single industry,” said Davoodi. “ We have over 80 companies that are registered at the moment ”

We try to host a seasonal job fair, Glendale tech week job fair, and this, our annual job fair that we’ve been hosting during the spring semesters for the past 22 years. Even during COVID, we still continued to host, and we kept it virtual that year ” Davoodi continued, “We have mini information sessions

throughout the year, but the big job fair where we have over 80 companies attending normally takes place during spring semester ”

Dylan Andrade, a political science major, who is planning on graduating in June 2023, attended an FBI information session event earlier this year and found it to be a success for him “I was able to get in contact with one of the special agents, and actually, I emailed her,” shared Andrade. “She told me to keep her updated I reached out, so it’s great! So, just from that one event, it’s done leaps and bounds for me, so in terms of the job fair, I’m pretty sure it could do the same for others ”

GCC has a job placement center website, College Central. Davoodi stressed the importance of students utilizing this resource. “That's how we continue to send out information for all these workshops–all the future events that take place here ” It takes less than 10 minutes, and once the free account is activated, a list of companies and their websites will be available, and over 100 podcasts will be available, according to Davoodi.

A bonus of the College Central job board is “you can narrow it down to your own radius,” explained Davoodi “And you can post your resume for companies to search for you, so that’s the highlight of the online job board where let’s say if you can only work 5 miles around your house If you have children, if you have elderly to take care of, or any other barriers

Whether it’s transportation, or disability, or anything else

Some people have specific–they’d rather work remote, or inperson, or only within certain zip codes. Then they can narrow down their searches ” Davoodi reassured, “they are monitored by us [the career center] so that there aren’t fraudulent employers looking for your personal information So most definitely we monitor who posts and if those jobs are truly in alignment with our educational pathways.”

Additional information on this event can be found at Glendale edu/jobfair or by contacting GCC Career Services at careerservices@glendale.edu or 818-240-1000 Ext. 5403.

Stay up to date with all the offerings from GCC Career Services on their Instagram page: www instagram com/gcccareer/

Spring Event Flyer

GCC Quarterback Nick Garcia Set Records in 2021-22

By Alex Leon

The view from the press box at Sartoris Field was something that Nick Garcia had never seen before Hundreds of yards away from the field that had been his

athletic home for the past two years of fall football games wearing No. 3 as the quarterback for the Glendale College Vaqueros, he suddenly had a new perspective looking down at the expanse of green turf, endzones with the word GLENDALE spelled out and bleachers where fans cheered his and his teammates' exploits at every home game

Sitting in the empty area where the games were announced, the clock operated and his team's statistics were kept and calculated, it was a reflective moment for the 20-year-old from John Burroughs High in Burbank who had recently broken the over 23-year-old school record for career touchdown passes, topped 4,000 yards in career passing yardage for the Vaqs and was on the verge of leading the team to a league title

While the season did not end with him or his team celebrating the title, instead finishing the season with two straight losses and a 5-5 record, the exploits of Garcia and how the unheralded 5-foot-9-inch quarterback from John Burroughs High became one of the most prolific passers in school history was clearly a topic of conversation

"With just two games left in the regular season, I never expected to accomplish all that I have but being underestimated because of my size or anything else has kind of motivated me to overachieve and I guess that's what my legacy will be," said Garcia "I appreciate everything Glendale College has done for me, everything my teammates and I have been through together and what the coaches have taught and prepared us for I have loved every minute of wearing No. 3 and being a Vaquero."

Fast forwarding ahead a few weeks past the season ending losses to Citrus and Santa Ana colleges, Garcia can be proud of etching his name in the GCC record book topped by his record 54 career touchdown passes besting the previous mark of 44 by Mike Frost in 1998-99 and his 4,524 career yards, second only to Frost's 5,192

Another interesting stat from Garcia's career is his 60 2 percent completion percentage, 353 passes completed out of 587 passes attempted and in 2022 alone, he completed passes to 21 different receivers and he himself caught one pass as well

"The quarterback always gets a lot of credit or blame, depending on how the wins and losses go but I was blessed to not only have a great offensive line but receivers that I can't say enough about," said Garcia "To have my locker right next to No 1 Artis Cole, No 2 Nick Johnson and No 4 Caleb Snowden, not only great players but great people, gave us the opportunity to bond and connect that I will never forget "

Tanner Farwell hired as Head Football Coach and Kinesiology Instructor

By Chris Cicuto & Alex Leon

After three years as the Interim Adjunct Head Football Coach at Glendale Community College, Tanner Farwell has been hired to assume the role as full-time tenured track Kinesiology Instructor and Head Football Coach

Farwell, 32, is a graduate of Crescenta Valley High and GCC alum Upon graduating from GCC, Coach Farwell transferred and competed at Southern Oregon University After one year of coaching as a graduate assistant and earning his bachelor’s degree, Tanner returned to coach football at GCC in the 2013 and 2014 seasons Coach Farwell also coached at LA Valley College and Citrus College prior to returning back to GCC for the interim head coaching position

In his seven years as an assistant coach in the SCFA, his teams tallied records of 52-26

Initially hired as Interim Head Coach in January of 2020, Coach Farwell endured the pandemic where he dedicated himself and his coaching staff to recruiting and online football instruction Upon returning to competition on the gridiron, Farwell led the Vaqueros to records of 6-4 in 2021 and 5-5 in 2022

Tanner Farwell’s hiring makes him only the fourth Head Football Coach since 1972 and the 19th head coach in GCC football history dating back to 1928, the first year that football was played at the school

"It is an honor to continue the tradition that has been built for decades of developing our student-athletes, socially and athletically,'' said Farwell. "Our goal is to continue recruiting local student athletes and getting them to develop and transfer onto the four-year level using our guided pathways we offer here at GCC ''

Photo by Sam Lee

Stockphoto

Team had an overall game record of 19-5 and a Western State Conference Southern Division record of 10-2

Lady Vaqs Continue to Astound, Win Conference Title

Team had an overall game record of 19-5 and a Western State Conference Southern Division record of 10-2

By Alex Leon

The numbers were astounding for the GCC Women's Basketball Team for the 2022-23 regular season

The Lady Vaqs were 23-5 overall and won the conference title with a 13-1 mark punctuated with an 81-64 win at Antelope Valley College Friday, Feb. 17.

The 4th straight championship for Head Coach Joel Weiss and his team propels the Lady Vaqs into the CCCAA Southern California Regionals as the No 7 seed and they will host the winner Saturday, Feb 25 at 7 pm of the firstround game between Allan Hancock and San Diego Southwestern Colleges Wednesday, Feb. 22.

In the victory over the Marauders, Sophomore Jesni Cooper led all scorers with 25 points, hitting four three pointers and eight of 14 shots from the field and also had six rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot Maile Yamada and Faith Boulanger chipped in with 14 points each with Yamada tallying six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Hana Trieu added 10 points and hit three three pointers and had four assists and two rebounds.

Glendale hit 11 three pointers for the game and shot 53 percent from the field and totaled 29 rebounds and 20 assists in the final box score

In the Southern California Regional Playoffs, GCC defeated Allan Hancock College Feb 25, 55-50 but had its season end Saturday, March 4 in a third-round loss to the eventual state champions from Palomar College to finish the season 24-6

Head Coach Joel Weiss was named the WSC South Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season and Jesni Cooper, Faith Boulanger, Hana Trieu, Maile Yamada and Megan Delgado were named all-conference with Yamada being named WSC South Co-Player of the Year as well as third team all-state folr the Southern Region.

Photo by Sam Lee

GCC Alumnus Andy Reid

coaches Kansas City Chiefs to 38-35 win at the Super Bowl

By Alex Leon The writing is on the wall, literally, for Andy Reid and Glendale Community College

On the large board adjacent to Jim Sartoris Field is the scoreboard resplendent in cardinal and gold and almost 20 years later is an integral piece of GCC Athletics, generously donated by the Andy Reid Family in 2005, the year the field was dedicated

Reid came to GCC in 1976 as an offensive lineman from John Marshall High School, hoping to improve enough to transfer to USC He was an integral part of the WSC Championship team in 1977 and even added placekicking duties to his resume He ultimately transferred to Brigham Young University where his coaching career started as a graduate assistant coach in 1984

Fast forwarding to 2023 after Reid coached the Kansas City Chiefs to a 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in LVII Sunday, Feb 12 in Glendale, Arizona, Reid is not only regarded as one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, ranking 5th all-time with 247 wins and second in playoff wins with 22, but possibly more importantly, the ultimate players coach who is beloved by everyone in the Chiefs organization as he is with every school and team he has played and coached for

Especially at Glendale College

His childhood friends and teammates from Los Angeles and Glendale flock to attend games he is coaching in and love telling stories about the friend and man known as "Big Red" and in-kind stories about their loyalty are well chronicled, especially when he is coaching in the Super Bowl, which will be No. 4, as an assistant coach with the Green Bay Packers in 1997, as the Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 and Kansas City Chiefs in 2019-20 and 2023 He has been on the winning side now three times with the Packers and now the Chiefs in 2019 and 2023

One person who keeps up with him proudly from the sideline is his former head coach at GCC, Jim Sartoris, and his comments speak to what he means to Glendale College

"Andy Reid was an outstanding

student-athlete on our 1976 and 1977 football teams As an offensive lineman he was a team leader and also did the place-kicking, said Sartoris about Reid who was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003 "Besides his physical skills he was very coachable and a great teammate. I will always remember his contributions to the team He was a great competitor, who was analytical in his approach to the game and he helped set the tone of the winning tradition of Glendale College Football."

Normally, anticipation would be building for any Super Bowl Reid is coaching in but the game, ironically in Glendale, Arizona, had many sub plots attached to it with Reid coaching against his former team, the Philadelphia Eagles and a former Chiefs assistant coach Nick Sirianni, serving as head coach of the Eagles

But especially after Sunday's win, anyone who cheers for the Chiefs and Reid will still follow him game after game and year after year, revel in stories about the local boy who made good and get a big kick out of his recent State Farm Insurance commercial with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the feel good moments when he spoke at John Madden's memorial service last year and hugged Eagles players and coaches at a Super Bowl meet and greet recently

And they will be supporting Andy Reid throughout Glendale College and as they say proudly at GCC, "Once a Vaq, Always a Vaq.''

Proud donor to GCC brings team to victory over Philadelphia Eagles

The Kansas City Chiefs were victorious against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII

Photo by Eduardo Garcia

Coach Andy Reid on the sidelines of the Feb 12 game

Photo by Eduardo Garcia

Novel, Credits GCC Experience as Foundational

By Ingrid Lohne

“I’ve always wondered how it’s possible for two people who are essentially identical – genetically, at least – to view and experience reality in such diametrically opposite ways. How is it that we can both be right and wrong at the same time?” muses the oldest sister, once again thrust into the role of surrogate parent for her younger sisters Margo Candela’s latest novel, “The Neapolitan Sisters,” presents a complex family drama told by three Latina sisters, each with alternating points of view, examining what it means to be a sister, daughter, and ultimately, your own self, despite the pressures that come with being part of a family

Author Margo Candela, a commercial women’s fiction writer and author of five published novels, was at Village Well Books & Coffee in Culver City at 3 p m on Oct 23 to promote her latest novel, “The Neapolitan Sisters ” She also spoke virtually to GCC on Oct. 13. When we spoke on Sept 23, she mused about the impact of GCC on her career, what it takes to be a successful writer, and finding the courage to tell stories that need to be told.

Q So, tell me about yourself

A Honestly, I am just a regular person; other than I have a very good sense of humor. You know, working class, first in my family to go to college, with my sister, who also went to GCC There’s absolutely no reason you should be interviewing me nothing in my early life set me up for success as an author When I set out to be a writer, I made some crucial decisions to create a very different life for myself

That’s a good and honest question! Like, who am I? I know who I am 100%!

I’m a writer, a mother, and a good friend I try to be a good sister and daughter. And I’m very grateful and lucky to be where I am right now

Candela, a Mexican-American born and raised in the Los Angeles communities of Lincoln Heights and Cypress Park, was a passionate consumer of the community library Raised in a working-class family, living in east and northeast Los Angeles, Candela had no ties to the publishing world She credits a series of life choices and experiences at GCC in the early 1990s for her career as a professional writer And to the college newspaper via a college professor who was kind and encouraging

Her experiences at GCC proved to be a solid foundation She transferred to San Francisco State University, where she continued journalism studies and focused on magazine writing

Candela features strong Latina voices in her commercial women’s fiction, writing on subjects typically

whispered about but not openly discussed in the Latino community Topics like sex, alcoholism, drug abuse, and parental abuse

The first in her family to attend college, Candela initially struggled In 2008, fourteen years after being a student at GCC, she returned to the campus as a Language Lecture Series featured speaker and shared her experience. “I signed up for a full load of classes and managed to fail every single one of them Not because I couldn’t do the work, but because I didn’t do it,” Arpee Markarian reported in El Vaquero “I eventually met with an academic counselor, something I suggest everyone do a lot sooner You don’t always have to shoulder it on your own; there are people here who will help you ” Through hard work and determination, Candela went on to make the dean’s list and was invited to join the staff of El Vaquero, the college newspaper.

Photo Courtesy of Nicolle Blanco

Q How did your time at GCC prepare you for a writing career?

A Mr Eberts was the advisor for El Vaquero when I came on staff. He taught me how to write. I was a voracious reader and a natural writer, but I hadn’t put those two things together

I never even considered writing as a career or even something that I could do This is what I discovered working on the college paper. I enjoyed writing. It fulfilled a need in me to be creative and be heard

Q What was it that your mother said?

A It was the summer between semesters, and I’d decided I was going to stop going to GCC and get a full-time job That was what was expected of me – get an honest job and do a day’s work and hopefully get health insurance and maybe join a union, that type of thing and I didn’t necessarily need a college education for this to happen

My mother saw me reading a letter and asked what I was doing I told her it was from Mr Eberts and he was inviting me to be a writer for El Vaquero, the college paper She said, “Oh, you’ve always liked to write You should think about it You should try it ”

had a pivotal role in me becoming a writer."

Years earlier, I had started writing for fun on a manual typewriter I picked up from Goodwill I scrounged some money together, went down to Goodwill, tried out all the typewriters, and found one I liked I would take scraps of paper, write little stories and make pamphlets, like bogus informational pamphlets, and leave them around for my siblings to read them I thought I was just entertaining myself, but my mother noticed that I was writing Even though I didn’t think much of it, she was the one who noticed I give her a lot of credit for that I enrolled for the fall semester, got on staff at the college paper, and had the best time ever My mom and Mr Eberts really did change my life The work I did myself, but they each had a pivotal role in me becoming a writer

Q With no connections and no background in publishing, how did you make a successful writing career for yourself?

I needed to maintain 12 units to be a full-time student My sister had been taking Mass Communications 101, and she would tell me how interesting it was

So I went to the professor, Mr Eberts, on the last day to add a class and pleaded with him to let me in Although he already had a full class, he was kind enough to make room for me I ended up getting an “A” in that class

When he asked if I was interested in continuing, I said, “Yes ” I found it very interesting That summer, he sent me a letter asking if I was interested in being on the school paper That, and a comment in passing from my mom as I was reading the letter, changed my life

This was a pivotal moment in Candela’s life A time when the kindness of a college professor and a parent’s keen observation of her child’s passion, coupled with a word of motherly encouragement, turned Candela toward a career as a writer A time when a passion for reading and writing began to coalesce into what would become her career as a writer

A After graduation from GCC, I got a Journalism degree from San Francisco State University (SFSU) with an emphasis in magazine and feature writing My natural inclination was toward that type of writing as opposed to newspaper writing And I just started hustling like mad for a job

First, I took an internship that paid a bit above minimum wage at a magazine called, yes, ComputerLife Magazine I learned a lot there and made a good friend in one of the editors who recently told me he still considers me one of the few people that he still likes to this day The feeling is mutual! Being an intern was hard in a city like San Francisco where the cost of living has always been high There were times when my rent was paid before I was fed They were lean times and sometimes the work sucked, but I got it done and I really appreciated that on my last day, most of the staff took me out to lunch to thank me and congratulate me for having landed a paying gig writing for a news website that covered the Bay Area

I graduated from SFSU right before the first dot-com boom happened Dot-com companies were hiring writers like crazy I managed to get a series of dot-com jobs and to write for websites

"My mom and Mr Eberts really did change my life The work I did myself, but they each

I was paid a good wage and had insurance I could cover my rent, go out to dinner every so often, and pay back my student loan That is why I knew it wouldn’t last, but I figured I would get it while the getting was good I rode that wave until it crashed

The change in the dot-com world coincided with the birth of my son I found myself at home with a 3-month-old The dot-com peak work had dried up So I shifted gears and focused on raising my son Once he started preschool, I decided it was time for me to start writing

I treat the process of writing and publishing exactly like what it is - a job I work hard to meet my deadlines And I always try to do the best job possible to make it as easy as possible for my editor to do her job That just makes me a better writer who is easy to work with

I freelanced for a bit, some magazines and more websites Then my attention gradually turned to fiction Looking to give myself a broad perspective on the process of writing and publishing a novel, I read The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing a Novel and Getting Your Book Published For Dummies After reading those books, I wrote two novels and then started writing query letters

I created my career by doing a lot of research, working hard, and writing very good query letters Also by being very determined and treating getting an agent as a job And that’s how it happened

One person said yes and published my work, and I went from there Being a decent person and a hard worker and making your deadlines also matters!

Candela parlayed her work experiences in customer service jobs she held in her adolescence to her approach as a young adult, entering the publishing world and carving out a successful career She took the mall skills she gained while working at the Glendale Galleria and put them to work in all areas of her life “I find people interesting I learned how to be very approachable, interacting with people in a straightforward, friendly manner ” Candela likens mall customer relations skills to writing skills, “All those skills, writing to a word count, meeting a deadline, how to structure a story, cold calling, making phone calls, getting information – those are customer service skills Everything I learned while I was at GCC and at the Galleria still serves me today You might think you’re not learning much from what you’re doing now, but you are You can build on it You never know where it will take you I went from being really happy working on a college newspaper to being in print to having 5 novels ”

Creativity requires time to think To be still To have compassion for oneself To be kind and let the everelusive creative process take place “I take much more

care and consideration of myself and allow myself to enjoy being creative,” reflects Candela “Coming from a working-class background, that’s very hard I was raised to have a job, to always be working Sitting and staring out of a window and letting my thoughts take me wherever they need to go it’s taken a long, long time to be comfortable with this Honestly, it’s a privilege ”

Q. How do you know when the book is done?

A I’m very hard on myself, as well as very critical Someone once told me that I was a perfectionist I had a hard time wrapping my mind around this concept because I never considered what I did was good enough to even come close to being perfect, so how could I be a perfectionist? I realized that that’s exactly what a perfectionist is They never feel that what they do is good enough

For example, “The Neapolitan Sisters” had a really short editing window It could be better But there came the point where I had to be okay with where it wound up and just accept that this is the book it’s going to be This took a lot of compassion for myself

Q. Who do you write for?

A I write for the reader It goes back to having a strong work ethic, a customer-service-focused background, and being a journalist I write for the reader Period

My goal is to always give the reader a good experience and tell a good story that makes it worth their time and money to read my book It’s a great privilege to have somebody immerse themselves in a story you thought of I never take that for granted

The early draft of a novel may be a bit self-indulgent and it should be There comes a point when writing a manuscript where I can take a step back and be very objective about it And that’s when I start paring things down I may like how it reads, but that doesn’t mean it serves the story And if it doesn’t do anything for the reader, I cut it out

Who do I write for? I am a Latina I am a Latina author, but my goal is to write a universal story While my characters are Latina and will always be Latinas, I write for a general audience I write for a reader who wants a good story and I hope this is what they find in my books

On the home page of her website, Candela’s biography outlines her career and acknowledges her 10-year hiatus from writing “I wrote four novels and saw them published in four years before taking a long break from fiction to focus on real life responsibilities After making some significant life changes, I’m writing again and am very glad to be exactly where I am ”

Q Your website mentions a long break from fiction to focus on real-life responsibilities and make significant life changes What were the reallife responsibilities?

A Publishing went through a huge change between writing More Than This and Good-bye To All That Self-publishing took over Publishing houses were laying off people right and left I had to ask myself what I was going to do, but also consider the why behind my decision My primary responsibility was to be a good parent and a very present mother to my son When you’re in a circumstance where being creative isn’t a priority, setting aside this part of life to focus on what’s most important may not be an easy choice to make, but for me, it was the right one Getting myself and my son to a point where we could go forward in life with a strong sense of self, honesty, and integrity was important That takes a lot of energy and it paid off for both my son and myself, as we have a strong bond and very loving relationship He knows he can count on me for anything, anytime, anywhere and I know he’s grown into a self reliant young man as well as a decent human being

I was married at the time Marriage is a job and I eventually fired myself from that job, very happily! That is where my energy went I needed to do real life, and fiction had to take a back seat Once I was on my own and my son was at college, I was able to go back to writing

Q What were the significant life changes?

A It was mostly getting my confidence back Given my background, it’s really implausible that I was ever published in the first place But to be published again, after such a huge break – it’s like winning the lottery! This is just such a wonderful opportunity I’m going to make the very, very most of it I don’t take any of it for granted None of it

Writing is a solitary experience Candela reflected that based on her background as a working-class Latina from East LA, it was improbable that she would be successful She credits her success to life choices she made (attending college, pursuing journalism as a major), jobs she has learned from (customer service jobs), her tenacity, being a person who pays attention to the details (professional and personal), and follows through She’s successful because she is a hard worker Why would someone choose a career that is so hard and solitary?

Q Why do you do it?

A I have seriously asked myself, “Why am I doing this?” It’s a very vulnerable, very exposing thing to do, to write a novel Even though it’s fiction, you’re inviting people, mostly strangers, into your world

Sometimes these strangers become friends who come to know your writing better than you do When I was writing “The Neapolitan Sisters” and realized what I was doing, that there could be some backlash – there has been some backlash - I thought, “Am I really going to do this?”

“The Neapolitan Sisters” is a darker, heavier story There’s still a lot of humor There’s also a lot of dysfunctional family dynamics that aren’t really discussed in the Latino community They’re whispered about but not discussed

I prepared my family for The Neapolitan Sisters I told them there’s going to be a lot of sex in this book and a lot of reckoning with the long term effects and consequences of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and parental abuse They are very proud of me But they were a little concerned about it I had to assure them, “This is fiction ” It’s a story that needs to be told and I’m very proud of the way I did it even if it’s far from perfect

So, why did I really write this book? I had to be honest with myself and say, “Because I don’t want to be quiet anymore ” Latinas are underrepresented in the media Our stories aren’t being told I’m sick of being silent This is my medium; I am a writer and I will write And whoever gets in my way, better take a few steps back For me, this book was an act of bravery, compassion, and also, risk All those things are intertwined in the novel for me as a writer and for the characters I wrote

English Division Chair Honored With Prestigious Award

Dr Sarah McLemore muses on care, community, and the need for empathy in her Parker Award Luncheon lecture

By Ingrid Lohne

“Identity, community, and the need for empathy for each other Having us come to understand that we’re more than students, faculty, staff, administrators, and a board To understand that our lives as caregivers, volunteers, community organizers, amazing human beings balancing a lot, in and out of work I wanted to talk about how all of this connects to the idea of ethics of care which I believe might help us find our best selves and our best GCC Community in 2022,” said English Division Chair and Instructor of English, Sarah McLemore, to participants attending her Parker Award Luncheon lecture.

On Sept 9, McLemore was awarded the prestigious Dr. William L Parker Exceptional Service Award at the Faculty Institute Lunch in recognition of her 17 years of service to GCC, during which she wrote across the curriculum, served on the humanities and basic skills committees, and advanced accreditation initiatives

From her position as curriculum chair for seven years, she also developed curriculum from a governance committee to a senate subcommittee The recipient simulcast her lecture in person and Zoom.

She opened her lecture, titled “Care, Community, and Covid – Some musings about GCC in Fall 2022,” with humor and thanks.

From her many laudatory remarks about her family, co-workers, and previous Parker Award recipients, it is evident that she respects the achievements and appreciates the robust working relationships she enjoys with her GCC coworkers - faculty and staff Indeed, she refers to her colleagues as ‘frolleagues,’ i e , a mash-up of “friends” and “colleagues ”

“Sarah was the Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator for seven years before becoming Chair of the English Division, so she arrived with a meticulous understanding of the mechanisms behind creating new programming that meets both the emerging needs of our students as well as the rigorous requirements of the Chancellor's Office,” said DE Coordinator and English instructor, Piper Rooney “I think that knowledge has allowed her to be very nimble in the ways she approaches English instruction and scheduling, fostering new courses, expanding the English Associates degree, and imagining the student of the future I feel very lucky to be an instructor in the English Division with my egalitarian Chair so full of insight and charm!”

“I think that the concepts of the ethics of care is maybe just what is needed to help us see through this challenging time we’ve been in, to move forward to refine and reaffirm our GCC identity,” McLemore said “An ethics of care provides a way to build community through compassion, empathy, and love for each other. The ethics of care is a theory of morality based on interpersonal relationships. The focus on care ethics is about empathy and sympathy for others. It’s about recognizing our positionality as humans

Meeting people’s needs where they are Not where you think we should go or what you think would be best for them. Pivoting, adjusting based on what you see from people’s behavior and heard from them when they are most in need ”

McLemore didn’t just talkthe-‘ethics of care’-talk

“While it is true that Sarah is an incredible Chair for all the reasons related to the role, that isn't what makes her so amazing,” said Lara Kartalian, Associate Professor of English “She values her colleagues as friends and complex individuals navigating multiple pathways She supports us in countless ways, and every decision is driven by empathy, compassion, and both her personal and professional ethics Even through the most difficult times, we never felt isolated, and I know many of us will never forget that ”

“To my knowledge, she immediately began work on an institution-wide scale when first hired (before I taught here),” Rooney continued

“Sarah co-chaired Writing

Across the Curriculum (WAC) with Mark Maier, professor of Economics. She served as Assistant Chair to the English Division after her mentor, Alice Adams She served on multiple important committees such as the Basic Skills Initiative and AB 705 committees She was the Chair of the Curriculum and Instruction Committee for seven years and introduced data entry! She has continued to collaborate across disciplines with all kinds of Divisions, expected (such as ESL) and unexpected (such as Math). She is a powerhouse of innovation (and accreditation!) for the Division and institution ” A committee of former Parker Award recipients is responsible for selecting a faculty member or counselor to receive the award based on the nominees' multiple years of service and contribution to the college. In her address to the gathering, McLemore acknowledged that “working with these diligent, intelligent, crafty Parker Award colleagues, has taught me much about the importance, the grind, the

Courtesy Photo

the bureaucracy but also the rewards of time-sensitive, time intensive, and sometimes painstaking service commitments ”

“All I can say is Sarah McLemore is very well deserving of this award,” said Ramona BarrioSotillo, the 2015 Parker Award Recipient “She is dedicated to the college, her students, and her profession. She is an amazing faculty member, friend, and member of the community When I received the award in 2015, I was very honored and surprised because it was unexpected Parker award winners have a passion for what they do Sarah (like myself and the other Parker award recipients) is one of those people ”

Former Parker Award winner Paul Mayer, associate professor in noncredit ESL, noted that he is inspired to work at GCC with each presentation he hears annually “Her message about the importance of caring for one another is worth bearing in mind each time we step into a student's life Dr Ryan Cornner, superintendent/president of GCC, expanded on it later in the afternoon when he said that there are about a thousand employees at GCC who have daily contact with students, and if each one reaches out to a student who is struggling and then demonstrates that they care, we will have the best retention rate in the area ”

The observations of several previous Parker Award recipients were highlighted in the later part of McLemore’s presentation “Our faculty believe in the partnerships with, and the pathways between, instruction and student services,” McLemore said “We believe in the power of working together to ensure student success We see how academic counselors can be those who encourage, inspire, conspire… and sometimes kick students in the butt into getting through our courses And I think this value we place on these partnerships goes back fundamentally to the concept of community and ethics of care ”

McLemore also noted her division in particular “We in the English division, and I know beyond our academic division

know that these students who ghost us in class, but yet don’t drop, who come, but never turn in a paper they’re not giving up on us,” she said “But something major might be happening in their lives for which they need support That’s why so many of us observe the need for more connections with counseling in our survey results ”

Previous Parker Award recipient Laura Matsumoto acknowledged McLemore’s commitment to her students “Sarah is an infinite ball of positivity and energy She is highly engaged at levels of faculty and administrative collaboration that significantly impact GCC's academic operations and support of students I can rest assured that anytime I might need to call on Sarah for her expertise, that she will be there. Sarah is so knowledgeable, yet humble, and is truly an exceptional servant of GCC!” Near the end of her musings and recollections, McLemore focused on what one possible future could be for GCC. “We’re facing a strange new paradigm of college life that we must define and navigate together We define this reality together, and we continue to listen to each other, to meet each other’s needs, as colleagues, as friends

We do this, and we continue to best support our students and each other ”

McLemore and her department spend time analyzing data and looking at student trends. They validate what they see in terms of student success and gaps and then attempt to fill the gaps where they can, supporting their students The Spring 2022 English 101 and English 101+ instructors were surveyed about their students who were not successful in class to clarify what forms of support the instructors believed would have better helped the students succeed. Many likely topics emerged, such as financial support, help with research, and the need for additional office hours McLemore stopped for emphasis when she delivered the news that “instructors felt that the single biggest factor that could have transformed student success in English courses was academic counseling support ”

She asked the audience to “pause for a minute to really think about how mind-blowing this is in terms of where we are and where we are trying to get with guided pathways and all the great discussion, I know we will have around success teams today ”

McLemore concluded with her vision of the future, “I know that the path forward, for us all, is through listening, respect, responsiveness, and love That’s how we’ll imagine ourselves into the great future that awaits us in our community wherever we are at GCC in 2022 ”

The Dr William L Parker Exceptional Service Award, first awarded in 1993 to philosophy professor William L Parker, is awarded annually The Parker Award seeks to recognize excellence in nominees who have demonstrated good college ‘citizenship’ through contributions to college life outside the classroom, such as committee participation and leadership, outreach work, and grant work

According to a ‘snapshot’ analysis of federal data from 2018 by the American Association of University Professors, “Women make up 43 percent of full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty members and 54 percent of full-time, non-tenure-track professors. Women are 50 percent of assistant professors, 45 percent of associate professors and 34 percent of full professors,” reported Inside Higher Ed The 30 Parker Award recipients are 17 male (56%) and 13 female (43%)

To learn more about faculty and counselor awards and see the names of previous Dr. William L. Parker Exceptional Service Award winners, refer to: bit.ly/ParkerAwardGCC

You can also scan the QR code below:

In this June 15 photo, English Division Chair Dr. Sarah McLemore cheers on GCC graduates, and gives a special acknowledgment to graduates with a sign that reads, "Congrats from the English Division! You are on the 'Write' Path!"

Photo Courtesy of the GCC Office of Communications and Community Relations GCC

Event Acknowledges

Armenian Female Journalists' Contributions

By Alexandra Der Boghosian

“Women Journalists at the Forefront of Empowerment” not only empowered but rejuvenated the significance in being a woman Armenian journalist at the annual 2022 A.G.B.U. Hye Geen, Young Circle and CSUN Armenian Studies international conference Over 50 people attended the event that featured keynote Armenian female journalists on Nov 5 to emphasize the work ethic and dedication these journalists project in their work

The event brought together six female Armenian journalists who share the same message on why journalism is crucial for the future Armenian generation From freelancer and DJ Liz Ohanesian to LA’s very own Ellina Abovian from KTLA 5, the speakers emphasized Other participants included Astrig Agopian, Lillian Avedian, Lika Zakaryan and Alene Tchekmedyian

The event provided the opportunity for Armenian students, from middle school to college, to hear how these journalists strategize in order to make it their mission

to bring art, news, and politics to the public In particular, the journalists discussed the behind-the-scenes work and steps to get the coverage they need. These Armenian female journalists have become role models to the Armenian community Especially with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still occurring, the Armenian community needs more media coverage than ever

Journalists at the event described how they are a bridge between the Armenian community and getting media coverage for Armenian-related issues and affairs

Freelancer and DJ Liz Ohanesian stated “I’m happy with my work when there are stories that people don’t regularly read ” “Self-preservation; Our goal is to invite Journalists around the world,” said Professor Vahram Shemmassian of Armenian Studies at CSUN Each speaker brought their own take on the significance of journalism. Not only locally but also internationally Journalist Astrig Agopian is a freelance journalist from Paris She is currently in Ukraine covering the ongoing war

During the event, the audience ranged from senior citizens to high school students This allowed the speakers

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to share their experiences and perspectives to the different generations of the Armenian community

Journalist and native of Artsakh Lika Zakaryan shared her story and perspective when experiencing the war first hand

The AGBU Hye Geen event provided unity and inspiration towards the female journalists and the future Armenian generation

Journalist Lika Zakaryan shows trailer of her documentary “Invisible Republic” covering the 44day war in Karabakh.

Alexandra Der Boghosian, Staff Photographer

Meet the 2023 Pulitzer Center Fellow

By Reut Cohen Schorr

GCC's 2023 Pulitzer Center Fellow will be focusing on the intersection of fast fashion and feminism in her research "I read this scholarly journal that stated that the average American throws away roughly 80 pounds of clothing and textiles yearly," said Brittany Klintworth, who will represent the college during Washington Weekend in October 2023 "That statistic blew me away "

It also proved to be a starting point for a research proposal submitted for fellowship consideration Klintworth explained that the journal article left her asking a lot of questions. "Why are people throwing away so much clothing?" she mused "Are people not buying clothing with long-term wear in mind? It makes me wonder, is clothing sold so cheaply that people see it as disposable?"

Klintworth said her reading and research showed her that sustainability in fashion was a feminist issue, which led her to reading more peer edited research

"The reasoning behind this is that the mass consumption of fast fashion aids in exploiting garment workers," she explained about her proposed research "Statistically, garment workers are predominantly women In addition, many of these women are women of color and low income " Klintworth added that people generally link sustainability with the environment, and don't always see it as a women's issue :Finding out that people are suffering because we have the privilege of being able to over-consume clothing made me look at the issue of sustainability in fashion with a greater sense of urgency."

Klintworth has experience reporting for GCC's El Vaquero News and GCC Insider, but is conscious that interviewing garment workers on the record may be difficult "Garment workers are the heart of the issue, so it is essential that I have their voices present in my article," she said. "I found a garment workers union, so I am hoping someone from there can get me in contact with some garment workers "

Klintworth will receive support and mentorship during her news research from the Pulitzer Center in Washington, D.C.

Notably, when asked to supply a headshot, Klintworth chose a photo of herself wearing a dress that has a tag stamp from the International Ladies Garment Workers Union In her interview with El Vaquero News reporter Simone Warren recently, Klintworth explained she has a love for all things vintage. "I think The Twilight Zone television series influenced my love for vintage," she said "I have such fond memories of watching that show with my family, and the way the women presented themselves on that show always stuck with me "

The new fellow credits GCC for finding an interesting in writing for news and media, and also said her counselor, Denise, has been valuable in pinpointing institutions she may want to attend as a transfer

Klintworth, majoring in Mass Communication and Journalism, expects to finish her time at GCC in the fall of 2023 and hopes to continue her education afterward Currently, Penn State and Ohio State University are at the top of her list, but she reserves the right to change her mind as her career interests evolve "I may change my mind because I still have some stuff to work out, but as of now, those are my top two choices," she said

"I am so grateful to have taken courses with Dr. Reut Cohen Schorr and Professor Stonis, and glad to have crossed paths with them," Klintworth said. "I hope to make both of them and GCC proud with the article I produce "

In its third year GCC's Pulitzer Center Consortium has welcomed four student cohorts It is the only community college in the state of California with this unique opportunity for students

The Pulitzer Center Consortium is a collaboration between History 111, taught by Michelle Stonis, and Journalism 103 History 111 focuses on gender, which gives students a research primer on their reporting topic and serves to inspire them with potential proposal topics Stonis also serves as a mentor during the research process

The Journalism program, under the Language Arts Division, serves a diverse student body that reflects both the campus and the Los Angeles community Students learn to report and write the news, gain valuable experience that will apply in careers stretching from communications to public relations, and work with experts in the field. In their reporting for the Pulitzer Consortium, students focus on a major topic that intersects with gender In this, students have the opportunity to network with other students, staff, and expert faculty outside of journalism in their newsgathering process

Glendale Community College’s various journalism classes beyond the Pulitzer Center Consortium focus on newsgathering, reporting, newspaper design, news photography, digital journalism, and teamwork Students, in collaboration with their faculty advisor and professor, produce newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and more

Courtesy Photo

Brittany Klintworth will represent GCC in Washington, D.C.

GCCAthleticTrainers

intheSpotlight

By Alex Leon

It's gameday at Glendale Community College and the training room is buzzing with activity as studentathletes are getting treatment and the trainers are getting ready for games at home or on the road Like a GCC athletic team themselves, they round up their gear like water bottles, tape and a portable table for onsite treatment For decades they worked out of less than modern facilities, but the opening of the new Kinesiology and Athletic Facility in June of 2022 changed things for the better.

The doors are now open to the Athletic Training Room and while the new facility offers a spacious and inviting area for GCC studentathletes and others to get treatment, the obvious amenities include more training tables and whirlpools, an extra ice machine, and real offices for the trainers as well

What is still a constant is the extraordinary treatment given by trainers Jose Gomez, Melissa Ramos and Claudia Orejuela, who is nearing her 22nd anniversary on the job for the school where she competed as a student-athlete playing women's basketball and soccer from 1996-98 It seems appropriate that her story be shared during Women's History Month this year and National Trainer's Month as well during the month of March.

While the 16 GCC teams and over 300 student-athletes in cardinal and gold represent the Vaqueros on the field, it is the trainers strategically standing

by to aid them and their efforts to compete at the highest levels possible at every game during the fall, winter and spring and during office hours whenever necessary

For Orejuela, she is not only grateful to be working at her alma mater but mindful of the role she plays as a role model and mentor "I see a lot of myself in the athletes and I try to help them through not only what ails them but whatever issues they have,'' she said "The reality is that Jose Gomez played that role for me as a student-athlete when he was our only trainer and I know athletes, especially the women, are looking at what I'm doing as a pathway to working in athletics and that means a lot to me ''

As strong as her background is working with professional teams and in the entertainment industry before coming back to GCC, Orejuela is proud to have roots with the Vaqs as a student-athlete including playing on the first women's soccer team in school history for current coach Jorge Mena and playing women's basketball as well for Glendale.

But nothing may have prepared the trainers for what they had to go through during the pandemic when daily testing had to take place in order to have the athletes just be able to practice outdoors and having to wear wristbands to show that they were cleared to participate

No inside activities were allowed during those trying times but wearing masks and constant testing was a small price to pay for the GCC student-athletes to at least be practicing as a group

One former student-athlete, Haley Tsarofski, shared some personal comments about the trainer who was a soccer player like herself for GCC and was a mentor for her on her career path.

"Claudia has always been very confident as a trainer and I knew I could trust her with my health and that she had my best interests in mind when we discussed treatment and what I should and not do in order to get back on the field,'' Tsarofski said. "But she didn't just influence me as an athlete as I worked by her side for a semester doing my clinical hours in the Athletic Training Program at CSUN I could not have asked for a better mentor as she helped me put my studies to use in a training environment She was always someone I looked up to and wanted to be like when I 'grew up' and I couldn't be more grateful that I was able to work so closely with her and see the amount of effort she puts into her career ''

The term, "Once a Vaq, always a Vaq'' could not be a truer description for loyalty and service than for Claudia Orejuela, Jose Gomez and Melissa Ramos

Photo by Glenn Cooper

Athletics celebrates Claudia Orejuela during Women's History Month and the Athletic Training Staff during National Trainer's Month

From left to right: Claudia Orejuela, Jose Gomez and Melissa Ramos

Photo by Sam Lee

The Sustainable Lightness Of Being Offered

By Furniture

Subscription Services

By Ingrid Lohne

At the end of the Spring semester, the next cadre of ‘Generation Z’ GCC students will have satisfied their program requirements and prepare to move on to their dream job or continue their education at a four-year institution Dorms, roommates, changing living spaces, and moving for work have traditionally involved acquiring and then moving, storing, or disposing of the furniture for those living spaces Repeatedly buying furniture that is left on the curb, hauled from town to town, or stowed in storage can be costly, timeconsuming, labor-intensive, and stressful How can the furniture world address the needs of Gen Z in a way that matches its values?

Gen Z is seen as environmentally concerned, ethical shoppers, who value access over possession, and are financially minded, reports CMSWire, a community of over 5 million influential customer experience, digital experience and customer service leaders, the majority of whom are based in North America Global business management consultant McKinsey & Company advises companies to be attuned to three implications for Generation Z: consumption as access rather than possession, consumption as an expression of individual identity, and consumption as a matter of ethical concern

Enter the demand for sustainable, non-owned, designer furniture that is sustainably accessible. In response, CORT, Feather, Oliver Space and Fernish have moved into the furniture subscription space These companies recognize that times of change present an opportunity to address the ethical, valuebased, access-not-ownership, and sustainability values of GenZers

The furniture subscription model provides customers with access to designer furnishings in an affordable way - less stress, less stuff, less waste

There’s no acquisition hassle. Shop online, and it’s delivered and set up for you

The business model of Fernish checks off many requirements GenZers look for in a company. “Gen Z means having access to products or services rather than owning them,” CMSwire notes Fernish offers a subscription service for designer furniture that the consumer individually customizes for their living space

GenZers can have instant access to quality furniture, paid for over time, for later upgrade, outright purchase, or to return Upon return, the furniture is refurbished and reused or recycled through donation to nonprofits

We recently caught up with Christine Kobervig Munger, VP of Merchandising and Sourcing at Fernish We got her take on the business, the clients, and the future of sustainable furniture rental:

Q: Tell me about Fernish?

A: Our mission at Fernish is to make it effortless for people to create a home they are proud of and enjoy And we are elevating the home furnishing industry across the pillars of convenience, flexibility, and sustainability.

Q: How did you come up with the name?

A: The name came from a desire to help customers quickly identify what we do - but indicate that we do it differently. We landed on tweaking the spelling of “furnish” to “fernish ” We also liked the use of “fern” as it’s a

great house plant and aligns well with our sustainability mission

Q: Who is your target audience?

A: Anybody going through a bit of change in their life - or just wants to upgrade the things that make their home We have a lot of customers in their 20s and 30speople who are at a point in their life where they are experiencing a lot of change Maybe it’s a first job out of college, a new relationship, a new home, or people embracing a digital nomad lifestyle for a bit and trying out life in a new city Our furniture rental service starts at four months, so we offer a lot of flexibility without the commitment

Q: The Fernish (www fernish com) website says your company helps the environment by keeping furniture from landfills - how was that determined?

A: We select the products we offer customers for quality, durability, and timeless style We are confident that our products will hold up well in a customer’s home for as long as they want or need them and can be returned to a like-new condition when they come back to us We prioritize using materials like solid wood and performance fabrics Our furniture is constructed in a way that allows us to replace pieces and parts of a piece if they are damaged, keeping the piece in use longer

Under the heading, “Does your furniture ever end up in landfills?” the Fernish FAQ answers an emphatic “No! hat’s one of the reasons why Fernish was founded! Sustainability is super important to us, so we

only offer quality furniture that is built to last Any furniture that comes back to us and doesn’t meet our strict “likenew” standards after our inspection, cleaning, and refurbishing process, is donated to a growing list of charitable organizations For the small portion of the items we offer that cannot be safely re-used, we work with recycling or other re-use facilities when at all possible.”

Q: How is Fernish different from traditional furniture companies?

A: Traditional furniture companies like Crate & Barrel don’t offer rental services, and traditional furniture rental companies don’t offer high quality, designer furniture - or amazing service that today’s consumer expects We do Fernish has top brands like Crate & Barrel, CB2, and EQ3 that you can rent, rent-to-own or buy We also have free delivery in as soon as seven days, free assembly, and free swaps So, if you get something home and decide you don’t like it, we’ll pick it up and give you something else to try We will also move your furniture for you if you’re moving within Fernish markets

Q: Who do you see as your biggest threat/competitor?

A: Our biggest threat is bad habits People are used to spending a lot of money on furniture and then either lugging it around with them from place to place, selling it under value on a secondhand site or worst of all, leaving it on the curb when they no longer want it Even though the way we live has evolved

Courtesy of Fernish

dramatically, particularly during the past few years, it’s hard to shake what you’re used to, even if it doesn’t make sense anymore

Whenever you are a challenger brand, you have to get people to think differently Fortunately, we are seeing a renewal of excitement around the value of vintage, rental, and re-use This is exciting for our business and, more importantly, better for the world as a whole

Q: Legacy Rent-to-Own/Rentto-Return companies have a bad name due to exploiting their lower income clients. Similar in concept to paying interest on a credit card instead of paying it off - rent-toown/lease clients who could least afford it ended up paying significantly more over time. How does your business model differ from the model of old?

A: Fernish is absolutely not part of the legacy “rent to own” industry with a history of charging usurious interest to its clients for poor-quality furniture

We pride ourselves on being transparent with our pricing and service offering The length of your subscription determines the rental price you pay, so the longer your term, the lesser your payment There is also the option to buy-out your items at any time, and all of your monthly payments are credited to your total, so you only pay the remaining cost of the listed price with no extra fees

Q: How did COVID impact your bottom line? Impact your customers’ consumption patterns?

A: In terms of the overall business, with people spending more time at home and spending more on home furnishings, COVID had a positive impact on our business We were not immune from the industrywide impact of shipping cost increases and raw material prices Still, our unique supply chain allowed us to maintain healthy inventory levels and continue to deliver to customers within a matter of weeks (sometimes days) At the same time, traditional retailers struggled with long lead times and backorders The beauty of the Fernish model is that, even as we begin a new chapter in our collective lives and people begin prioritizing experiences over things, with a service like Fernish, you can rent the couch you want and still have the budget to go to Santorini over the summer In addition, now that remote work is definitely here to stay (we are fully remote at Fernish), we are also seeing an incredible rise of the digital nomad Our services couldn’t be more well-suited to support this trend, and we see a lot of people renting from us for

4-6 month periods and then extending because they like where they are for now

Q: What qualities make Fernish the option for a consumer?

A: Our mission speaks to just this-we really do make it effortless to create a home Purchasing furniture through a traditional retailer comes with so many trade-offs. “Do I pay all of this money for the item I love when I don’t know if it will fit with my life in a year or two?”

“Do I wait for 12+ weeks for something I’m not sure I’ll love and can’t return?” Or simply, “I don’t have the cash upfront to buy all the pieces I need to set-up my home ” With Fernish, you can have it all All the items you want and need, without the massive up-front costs, quickly and with the option to swap or return whenever you want or need to

Q: Where do you see Furnish in 10 years?

A: As a household name, delighting and delivering to customers nationwide, leading the furniture industry in making meaningful changes to their waste streams and diverting millions of tons of furniture waste from landfills

“Do your research before jumping into furniture rental,” advises Doorstep, a living-space rentals website powered by realtor com “If you enjoy having high-end furniture that you can pay for slowly over time, or if you move frequently and don’t like the cost and hassle to either store or lug your furniture around with you, a furniture subscription might be right for you. Otherwise, you may be better off buying your furniture outright ”

GCC Goes to Washington

By Reut Cohen Schorr

Thanks in large part to the Language Arts and Social Science Divisions, Journalism and History were able to mentor a student during the 2022 academic year and support a unique trip abroad to Washington, D.C. This special trip would not be possible without the collaboration of Glendale Community College and the Pulitzer Center, based in D C , and the support of both our outgoing president, Dr David Viar, and new president, Ryan Cornner

Jacqueline Kamei, who is graduating this Spring, presented her research on the benefits and drawbacks of social media to the feminist movement in October to a cohort of research fellows, journalists, and other stakeholders

In an interview, Kamei encouraged students in their academic pursuits and spoke specifically about being a campus fellow "I would encourage anyone with a passion for writing, story telling, and learning to join GCC's Pulitzer Center Campus Consortium," she said "Even if you do not plan on becoming a journalist, you will develop valuable skills in communication and learn about the power of writing You will also see the "behind the scenes" of how journalists work to keep our society informed "

The Pulitzer Center raises awareness of underreported global issues through direct support for quality journalism across all media platforms and a unique program of education and public outreach It is a collaboration between the Journalism and History Departments at Glendale Community College that supports students reporting specifically on gender issues

Aligning with the mission of GCC, the Pulitzer Center Consortium contributes to both the student community and the Los Angeles region by bringing award-winning journalists to campus for public programs The Pulitzer Center offers a reporting fellowship to one outstanding student who reports on a topic involving gender Each October, the student fellow has an opportunity to network with other fellows from prestigious universities across the United States. They also hone their public speaking skills in presenting their article research

The 2023 fellow is Brittany Klintworth Read about her on page 28.

To learn more, scan the QR code or visit bit ly/GCCPulitzer

Jacqueline Kamei presents her research in this Oct. 28 photo.

Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline Kamei