February 2019 VVC Newsletter

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F E B R U A R Y2019 2 0 1 9 |VOLUME V O L U M EI 1 FEBRUARY

VICTOR VALLEY COLLEGE NEWSLETTER Brought to you by the Associated Student Body

VVC's Tropical Research Initiative team on Wizard Beach, Bastimentos Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama. (Courtesy of Abram Campos)

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Adventure forward!

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By Celena De Leon In just 36 hours, eight Victor Valley College students went from their normal urban environment to having monkeys climbing all over them while aboard a float on the Panama canal.

The students left for a trip to Central America on January 18 and spent 16 days in the countries of Panama and Costa Rica. The expedition, led by VVC biology professor Dr. Hinrich Kaiser, was made possible through the college’s Tropical Research Initiative.

The students traveling were all enrolled in one of Kaiser’s biology courses, “International Natural History,” and given the opportunity to explore new environments while being exposed to local wildlife and new cultures.

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They began their journey in Panama, where they participated in exotic experiences from the get-go. On their first full day there, they took a float ride on the Panama canal, passing small islands with isolated animal populations, including one inhabited by monkeys.

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“...When you come with some fruits and bananas, they come down and they climb all over you,” Kaiser said. “It was a quick change (for the students). They really got thrown in there … For some, it was an amazing experience. They said it brought them to tears.”

One of the students attending the trip is on the autism spectrum and has been an instrumental member of the team, according to Kaiser.

This student came up with the group’s slogan for the year: “Adventure forward!” Since he spontaneously exclaimed it while exploring, they’ve adopted it as their theme.

The group continued their adventures in the Boca del Toro Province, a group of islands, and later crossed the border on foot into Costa Rica. They explored beaches, caves and rainforests, all home to various wild animals such as bats, dolphins and poisonous frogs.

Two of the poison frog, Oophaga pumilio, from the cemetery on Solarte Island, Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Panama. (Photo by Hinrich Kaiser)

They got a more personal experience with a few animals thanks to a nonprofit animal rescue owned by German Sibaja, called the Mesoamerican Rescue Center.

Sibaja allowed the students to help him with animals in his care. They were tasked with weighing a baby three-toed sloth and releasing snakes and an anteater back into the wild.

“It was a bonus to participate in this wildlife preservation,” Kaiser said.

Students were also exposed to a new way of living during their trip.

Student José Yáñez passes a tarantula he uncovered under a log within an indigenous rainforest to a fellow student so she can also experience feeling its hairy legs! (Photo by Hinrich Kaiser)

“We stayed at an indigenous reserve … in a very non-touristy kind of place," Kaiser said. “There’s no phone signal [and] no power. These things were very unusual for our students. You are not connected.”

discovering multiple new species of life in foreign countries. While scientific research plays a major role, Kaiser sees other benefits the trips can provide as well.

On previous trips, Kaiser has led student groups who are responsible for

VVC humanities major Heather Macias, who attended the recent trip, can vouch.

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“The emphasis here is focused on giving more experiences than the experiences of the research. I’m trying to serve a broader clientele,” he said.

“Most students who hear about a trip like this that are in my shoes may be interested, but turned off because they may think taking this class won’t benefit them,” Macias said. “It was intimidating to be the only humanities major, but was also so rewarding. This (trip) may be a good influencer for those non-declared majors as well.”

The group has plans for future trips and how to achieve enough funding to support their goals. Kaiser said he would like to take students to Madagascar next year, which will require additional fundraising. “(The Associated Student Body) has been a great support for every one of these trips,” Kaiser said, explaining that ASB has traditionally donated $10,000 to the Tropical Research Initiative each year. “That's very useful for how the students are able to afford this, but one of the challenges is still money.”

He and the students who attended the recent trip are working on producing an 18-month calendar with some of the wildlife photos they took. The calendar will be a gift for those who make financial contributions to the research initiative. Their hope is to raise an additional $10,000 toward the next trip.

According to participants, the experience of the trip is challenging, educational and highly rewarding.

“We (spent) at least 18 hours a day for 16 days together, encountering different attitudes, likes and dislikes, tiredness, hungriness, fears and anxieties,” Macias said. “It was an amazing learning experience. It challenged me to face many fears and discomforts. I experienced and gained an abundant amount of love and knowledge for nature.”

Construction-Apprenticeship Readiness Program graduates first cohort

By Charity Lindsey

Photo by Faith Cheng Eleven individuals in the High Desert recently became the first graduating cohort of Victor Valley College’s Construction-Apprenticeship Readiness Program, a grant-funded initiative aimed at helping students become competitive for trade careers.

The students were presented with certificates during a luncheon ceremony in VVC’s Student Activities Center on Feb. 7, joined by representatives from the Riverside-San Bernardino Building and Construction Trades Councils.

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“We are proud of all of you — not only for making it into this program, but for getting through,” said Frank Castaños, VVC Contract Education and Workforce Programs. “You guys are the pioneers for this class.”

The program is funded by the California Apprenticeship Initiative, which is administered by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. VVC received about $443,000 to send 60 students through the program, according to Amber Allen, director of special grant programs.

“This program is to prepare them to apply to apprenticeships,” Allen said, explaining apprenticeships as an opportunity to “learn and earn." “Usually we’re accruing debt when we’re in college, but this is the opposite.”

Over the five-week class, students learned from Construction Technology Department Chair Anthony Bonato and adjunct instructor Bruce Painter. They completed 150 hours of training, from how to use power tools and read blueprints to algebra and the history of labor unions.

Justin Jones, 25, said he joined the class because he’s had a passion for carpentry since taking it in high school.

“I only was thinking about woodworking when I came in, but I’ve been exposed to so much more,” Jones said. “I didn’t know carpentry covered so many different trades. There are so many opportunities outside of a regular job.”

Similarly, Dario Rubio, 23, said his understanding of the industry was expanded during field trips to various local training centers.

“This program was an eye-opener to the behind-the-scenes of construction,” Rubio said. “I would definitely recommend this program to someone else.”

Students in the program also earn certifications in CPR and first aid and complete 10 hours of Occupational Safety and Health Administration training. The next cohort will begin training March 4.

All 2019 Apple Valley High graduates to receive $1,600 each to attend Victor Valley College

By Charity Lindsey Every senior who graduates from Apple Valley High School and chooses to attend Victor Valley College this year will receive a $1,600 scholarship, courtesy of the new AVHS Alumni Scholarship.

The class of 2019 was gathered in the school gymnasium on Feb. 14 for an assembly that announced the scholarship, featuring a lineup of guest speakers from VVC.

VVC nursing professor Terry Truelove speaks to Apple Valley High School seniors about the nursing program during an assembly. (Photo: Fabian Guillen)

“We are here to tell you that this is a wonderful opportunity for you," said VVC Superintendent/ President Dr. Dan Walden.

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"Studies show that people who go to community college and complete a degree are going to make, on average, twice as much money as someone who just goes to high school and doesn't pursue a higher education,” Walden said.

The donation was made by an alum of both AVHS and VVC and will be given to the VVC Foundation, the primary organization through which the community invests in the college. A $1,600 scholarship is offered to the entire graduating class this year, which is about 540 students.

Faculty from various departments spoke about programs available, including Biology, Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Technology, Construction Technology, Welding and Speech Communications.

“In 16 weeks at VVC we can send you into the workforce studying medicine,” said Christi Myers, VVC EMS faculty and an alumna of AVHS. “I’m also here to encourage you to explore because EMS isn't for everyone, hence the reason you’re presented with so many opportunities …

You have to do what you love, because if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Nursing professor Terry Truelove told students that VVC’s nursing program is ranked one of the best in California by RegisteredNursing.org, which ranks it as No. 4 and praises it for producing graduated who are “ready to work.”

“They had me speak because I have a typical background as many of you do — I was born brown in the city of Los Angeles and poor,” said Truelove, a nurse for 32 years. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but because I went to community college, I'm in the most trusted career field in the country … I live very comfortably now and you can too.”

Dr. Gregory Jones, a communications studies professor at VVC, asked the students to think about the best apps they have on their phone and told them that he knew of an app that could surpass all others.

“This app opens doors, creates positive impressions, demands respect, increases your income and facilitates anything you want to accomplish. This app will not appear on your homescreen,” Jones said. You can’t buy this app. It’s not for sale … But you can earn it. Thanks in part to the generosity of your community, there is an app with your name on it at VVC just waiting for you to open it. Come and get it.”

About 80 percent of VVC students qualify for the California College Promise Grant (formerly known as the Board of Governor Fee Waiver). For those students, it costs about $100 to attend VVC full-time for one year, excluding costs of books and supplies. A full-time year costs about $1,150 for those who don’t qualify for the promise grant. In addition, about 52 percent of VVC students qualify for the Pell Grant, which is distributed at a maximum of $6,095 per year.

The AVHS Alumni Scholarship available to this year’s graduates will allow them to attend VVC for free for at least the first year and possibly two. The hope is to have continued support for the scholarship in coming years.

For more information on VVC scholarships, visit www.vvcfoundation.com

Dr. Daniel Walden takes the helm

By Sophia Mancillas

Following a six-month-long search for a new Superintendent/President, the Victor Valley College Presidential Search Committee selected Dr. Daniel Walden as the best candidate to take the college to the next level.

Walden replaced Dr. Roger Wagner, who announced his retirement last summer. On the first week of January, Walden began the job, excited for the future plans he had in store.

“Both my wife and I have been so warmly welcomed not only at the college, but in the community around us as well,” Dr. Walden said during the Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 13. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve in this role.”

Walden grew up in West Texas. He and his wife, Wendy, have three children and two grandchildren. They also have family members who’ve resided in the High Desert for many years, Walden said, and they are eager to familiarize themselves with the local community.

Walden is highly accomplished academically, holding two Master’s degrees in divinity and education and a Ph.D. in higher education. He served as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Los Angeles City College, Dean at Los Angeles Southwest College, and President of a nonprofit religious organization.

Dr. Walden has made it a a focus of his career to make college a positive influence in the lives of students, just as college had a positive influence on him. His vision for the college is led by his desire to help students reach their goals. He hopes to use grade point averages and high school coursework as a means to place students in classes, rather than only assessment tests. He also intends to raise the percentage of VVC graduates and transferring students.