El Camino College - 2022 Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT

PRESIDENT MESSAGE FROM THE

Welcome to El Camino College! What a pleasure it is to see our beautiful campus come alive once again this fall, busy with academic activities and a calendar full of in-person events. We are wrapping up a yearlong celebration of our 75th anniversary, which gave us an opportunity to reflect on how El Camino has grown with our community to offer a high-quality college education to countless students. An absolute highlight of the past year was the return of commencement in Murdock Stadium, full of hundreds of graduates celebrating with friends and family members.

We remain committed to serving our community and collaborating with area businesses, especially in the areas of digital technology. Through these partnerships, students in STEM disciplines can access apprenticeships, internships, and exciting career pathways. In return, we are preparing a skilled, competent workforce ready to join thriving local industries.

This report highlights El Camino’s many opportunities in digital technology, successful outcomes from our many partnerships, and stories of our dedicated students who are pursuing their goals.

Brenda Thames, Ph.D. Superintendent/President

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY –LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES

From industry to infrastructure, technology is changing the way we do things. With the advancement of Industry 4.0, digital technologies are increasing worldwide, across multiple areas, including the fields of smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and cloud computing, just to name a few.

Companies are designing products virtually, before production even begins, to test and evaluate function –ultimately saving time and money. Artificial intelligence is being used to analyze data and make predictions about consumer behavior. Cyber physical modeling and simulations allow a system to be tested virtually before

it is created in a physical world. The explosion of new technologies in the past decade is astounding; data and computing are needed to fuel the growth.

These are the trends we’re following. At El Camino, we are developing classes, pathways, and partnerships where students can access the latest in digital technology education and training. This will help them not just compete in today’s workplace, but excel and become an integral part of the changing tech landscape. This 2022 Annual Report outlines some of the opportunities available to El Camino students in the digital technology field.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Bryan Souice enrolled in El Camino right after graduating from high school, sure in his decision, even though he always thought he would start his freshman year at a university. But after watching the success stories of family and friends at El Camino, Souice saw many advantages to following their lead. His brother (and main role model) was especially influential in his decision to attend El Camino.

“When you transfer and things are getting hard, you have a solid background, so you are capable and confident enough to get the work done. The work ethic I learned at El Camino will always stay with me.”

-BRYAN SOUICE MICROSOFT SOFTWARE ENGINEER, TRANSFERRED TO UC SANTA CRUZ

DIGITAL TECH IN ACTION

ENGINEERING STUDENTS LAUNCH STARTUP

A group of engineering students is preparing to launch a new 3D printer business with support from NASA. Their specialized startup received initial grant funding from a national competition where teams created a product or service using NASA-patented technologies. The El Camino team is juggling their busy schedules to run their business, which will produce high-quality, consumer-grade 3D printers at a reasonable price, making this technology more accessible to the public and educational institutions.

MAKERSPACE OPENS IN LIBRARY

El Camino’s new Makerspace offers creative opportunities such as 3D printing, sewing, electronics, AWS cars, Wacom tablets, and a variety of tools. A virtual reality space is also open, along with a video recording studio complete with a camera, microphones, backdrops, lighting, and greenscreen. A podcasting, vocal, and instrumental recording studio features a computer for recording, headphones, microphone, mic stands, and cabling. All are invited to get creative and try something new.

Overall employment of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow 23% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. 23%

GROWTH

Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Moises Santander first started at El Camino College by taking robotics classes while still in high school to pursue his interests in robotics engineering. Since then, the electrical engineering major found many opportunities in his field and is part of an innovative startup that has support from NASA.

“El Camino has provided me with the skills and resources needed to excel as a STEM major. I am blessed to be part of a supportive community that has pushed me to overcome obstacles in pursuit of a career in robotics to become the first engineer in my family.”

-MOISES

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR

WARRIOR ESPORTS TEAM READY TO COMPETE

A new Warrior Esports Club recently launched and already has 120 members with 50 applicants ready to join teams to challenge other colleges and universities in multiplayer video game tournaments. The club focuses on casual gaming as well as competitive gaming – offering students different opportunities to participate in this fast-growing activity that turns online gaming into a spectator sport. Students can also visit the new Warrior Esports Center in the Library, a place open for competitive and noncompetitive gaming activities.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

When Luisa Paredes set out to create a new esports program at El Camino, her goal was to offer a club where everyone is welcome. With help from faculty and a few dedicated students, the new Warrior Esports Club now has a space to meet, with members preparing for intercollegiate competition – or not.

“People can join the club and visit the space and compete or just join casual gaming with friends. We hope to achieve equity through this club and provide opportunities where students can try new things and meet new people.”

-LUISA PAREDES PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS: LEARNING BY DOING

El Camino’s Automation, Robotics and Manufacturing Center brings handson experience to engineering and manufacturing majors. With industryleading CAD/CAM software and state-ofthe-art equipment, students learn skills in areas such as rapid prototyping, including fusion deposition modeling and 3D printing. Classes are also available in digital simulation and solid modeling.

OPPORTUNITIES IN CYBERSECURITY

El Camino’s certificate in cybersecurity offers a direct pathway for entry-level jobs in a variety of industries. Students learn how to investigate, handle, and prevent cyberattacks while protecting data, computers, and networks from unauthorized access. Graduates are prepared for work as a computer analyst, information security analyst, security administrator – and more.

SCIENTISTS

Among the

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYSTS

with the highest projected percent change of employment between 2021-31.

Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm

TECH PARTNERSHIPS IMPACT STUDENT LEARNING

Our many industry partners offer real-world educational experiences for our students. These programs also help build a solid, skilled labor pool ready to fuel the South Bay economy.

SPACE HUB COLLAB

A first-in-the-nation community college collaboration helped create the “Space, Cyber & Supply Talent Development Center,” a partnership that helps students learn and find jobs in the aerospace industry. El Camino and Red Rocks Community College work with industry to ensure students can access relevant classes and experience. Both colleges have shown strong results in aligning classes with jobs and helping people gain workplace experience. Nearly $350,000 for this innovative program was granted through a request from Congresswoman Waters, using federal education and workforce development funds. This critical funding will help recruit students to enroll in the new program and achieve the three major goals for the new Space, Cyber & Supply Talent Development Center:

• Establish a new economic and workforce development educational effort focused on each institution’s strengths in aerospace, space, cybersecurity, and supply chain training

• Share specific company connections to further expand opportunities and placements

• Reciprocate instruction strategies and shared best practices

Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-

ECC OFFERS UC BERKELEYBASED DATA SCIENCE COURSE

Partnering with UC Berkeley’s Data Science Education Program (DSEP), El Camino offers one of the first data science courses available at a California community college. This popular fourunit class boosts research skills and teaches students core principles of data science useful in any field of study. Coding experience is not required; current high school students can also take this class – at no cost.

WARRIOR-TORO COMPUTER SCIENCE PATHWAY

By partnering with California State University, Dominguez Hills, we offer a pathway where students can complete a bachelor’s degree in computer science in four years—guaranteed. The first of its kind in Southern California, students have access to networking, internships, and career preparation that leads to high-paying jobs.

CLOUD COMPUTING CERTIFICATES

In a collaboration with Amazon Web Services and its AWS Educate, students learn the fundamental knowledge and infrastructure of AWS Cloud computing. Cloud computing delivers vast data capacity to organizations without requiring on-site servers and is considered one of the biggest growth areas in the current tech environment.

EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO SUCCEED WITH SERVICES & SUPPORT

TUITION RELIEF PROGRAM

To help students ease college costs and remain on their higher education journey, El Camino is offering no tuition and fees this year, as well as debt relief for outstanding past balances. This innovative tuition relief program is part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and just one of the many ways El Camino supports students who wish to start or re-engage their college goals.

BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE

El Camino’s Warrior Pantry and the newly relaunched Warrior Closet have extended their operating hours this fall – part of our commitment to connect students and their families to services that will help them succeed. Free food and clothing are available to all currently enrolled students.

EXTENDED HOURS

A HISTORIC WIN: NATIONAL FORENSICS CHAMPS

For the first time in the college’s 75-year history, the forensics (speech and debate) team won the highly competitive overall Phi Rho Pi National Championship this past spring. The powerhouse team was also the only community college team to compete in the 2022 National Parliamentary Debate Association Championship Tournament, taking home the “Season Sweepstakes” title.

FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $900K IN SCHOLARSHIPS

In a record year of giving, the El Camino College Foundation awarded over 600 scholarships in excess of $900,000 this fall - a 48% increase in scholarship awards over last year!

NEW COHORT TRUCK DRIVING

A recent Community Education class enrolled 10 formerly incarcerated people who worked toward a commercial truck driving license. This particular “Truck Driver Class

A Commercial License” course was funded by Goodwill Southern California, providing hands-on education, related support, and a direct link to a new career pathway.

MUSIC FACULTY GRAMMY AWARDS, PERFORMANCES

El Camino music faculty member Jake Silverman won a 2022 Grammy Award for the arrangement

“Meta Knight’s Revenge” based on the 1990s video game Kirby Superstar. Other music faculty accomplishments include violin/viola applied music instructor Karoline Souza Menezes’ appearance at the 2022 Oscars, performing with Beyoncé and Billie Eilish, and assistant professor of music/director of instrumental music David Moyer’s work on the new anthem for Angel City Football Club with five-time Grammy winner Brittany Howard and Inglewood-based artist Tia P.

SCHOLARSHIP SUCCESS

Three El Camino students received the prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship for 2022, which will provide up to $55,000 a year to complete their bachelor’s degree. Having three award winners in one year is a record for the college and marks the second year in a row El Camino had finalists in the national scholarship program, following the announcement of five semifinalists in early spring.

JOURNALISM BRINGS HOME AWARDS

El Camino’s journalism students earned nearly 40 awards for their work at collegiate journalism conferences this past spring. Journalism professor and student media adviser Stefanie Frith was also honored with the Two-Year College Educator of the Year award during the California College Media Association’s annual banquet.

Paul Millsap is currently enrolled in the 10-week commercial truck driving license course offered by El Camino College’s Community Education. The 170-hour “Truck Driver Class A Commercial License” course is funded by Goodwill Southern California and provides education and a direct link to a new career pathway.

“This class means financial independence, a strong career, hope for the future – it’s all there. I love this class. We are all working together, trying to be successful, and looking to be the best truck drivers we can.”

-PAUL MILLSAP STUDENT IN COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVING CLASS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

HATE HAS NO HOME HERE

A WALK AGAINST HATE

In response to increased episodes of racism and hate crimes against members of the Asian American Pacific Island community in the South Bay, El Camino College organized a “CommUnity Walk Against Hate” this past spring. More than 300 community members, local leaders, and elected officials came to campus for a 1-mile walk to show support for diversity, tolerance, and human dignity, while supporting the college’s stance that racist rhetoric, criminal behavior, or other acts of intolerance are not accepted at El Camino. The college was honored to receive the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 “Outstanding Diversity Program” award. Guest speakers such as ECC Superintendent/President Dr. Brenda Thames, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Senator Steven Bradford contributed to the event.

NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER PROMOTES EQUITY FOR ALL

A Social Justice Center opened on campus this fall, an inclusive space initiated by student leaders who envisioned a welcoming space to unite all equity-minded students, programs, and clubs. Committed to social justice through education and collaboration, the center recognizes, celebrates, and supports students who have been historically underrepresented and underserved, including but not limited to students who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, disabled, undocumented, first generation, low income, system impacted, and many more. Students can find more information about campus and community resources, interact with social justice advocates, and attend educational events, such as film screenings, dialogues, and performances at the Social Justice Center.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Social justice advocate and journalism major Nindiya Maheswari Putri is proud to be the first student hired to work in the new Social Justice Center. She welcomes all to the space intentionally designed for students to gather, learn, and discuss important social justice issues as well as to organize and mobilize their actions.

“This is a place for students to feel welcome and accepted for who they are. You don’t have to be considered an ‘activist’ to make a difference. Many students are already doing great things, such as advocating for their family or helping friends with school.”

-NINDIYA MAHESWARI PUTRI

MAJOR

MISSION STATEMENT

El Camino College makes a positive difference in people’s lives. We provide innovative and excellent comprehensive educational programs and services that promote student learning, equity, and success in collaboration with our diverse communities.

VISION STATEMENT

El Camino College will be the college of equity and innovation by transforming, strengthening, and inspiring our community to excel through learning.

STATEMENT OF VALUES

Our highest value is placed on our students and their educational goals; interwoven in that value is our recognition that the faculty and staff of El Camino College are the College’s stability, its source of strength and its driving force. With this in mind, our five core values are:

People – We strive to inspire our diverse students, employees, and community with purpose, passion, and pride.

Respect – We work in a spirit of civility, cooperation, and collaboration.

Integrity – We act ethically and honestly toward our students, colleagues, and community. Diversity – We embrace our similarities and differences to promote an inclusive campus community with equitable outcomes for all.

Excellence – We deliver quality, innovation, and excellence in all we do.

16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506 www.elcamino.edu • 310-532-3670

The El Camino Community College District is committed to providing an educational and employment environment in which no person is subjected to discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, age (over 40), disability (mental or physical), sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military and veteran status, or retaliation; or on any other basis as required by state and federal law.

NILO VEGA MICHELIN, President • KENNETH A. BROWN, Vice President • KATHERINE STEINBRONER MASCHLER, Secretary CLIFFORD NUMARK, Trustee • TRISHA MURAKAWA, Trustee • SIDNEY LEE, Student Trustee