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�鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) has been selected as one of four higher education institutions in Orange County to receive $3 million dollars from the Samueli Foundation to strengthen pathways for community college students pursuing degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 

�鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) capped off its yearlong 40th anniversary celebration today with the premiere of Little College in the Orange Groves: 40 Years in the Making, a commemorative documentary capturing the people, milestones, and moments that have defined the college’s four decades of excellence.

On October 18, �鶹��ý’s award-winning Model United Nations (MUN) team attended the PACMUN conference at Riverside City College—and made history. The 35-member delegation earned seven awards, more than any other college and surpassing the team’s previous best. Awards included three Outstanding Delegate awards (first-place), two Distinguished Delegate awards (2nd place), two Honorable Mention awards (3rd place), and the Best Delegate award (peer-award).

Today, the Aspen Institute named �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.

For Garrett Shakstad, there is nothing more exciting than sharing a room with  professors and students.  

“A good teacher has a huge influence,” he says. “I love the learning process – and  working with students to figure out a career path.”   

Director of Veterans Services Center, Dylan Bender represented �鶹��ý at two major conferences focused on veteran transition and success in higher education. At the 2025 Military Influencer Conference, Bender presented The Warrior’s Dilemma: Why Higher Education Is the New Front Line of Veteran Transition, emphasizing the pivotal role community colleges play in helping service members adjust to civilian and academic life. 

In a recent regional labor market study commissioned by the Orange County Regional Consortium in collaboration with Lightcast, an underscored �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) as a robust economic engine in Orange County. The study highlighted �鶹��ý’s substantial $738.4 million impact on the local economy in Fiscal Year 2023–24, representing approximately 0.2% of the county's total Gross Regional Product (GRP).

For the fourth year in a row, �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) is one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, released today at , and via a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education, are based on a survey of 199 colleges and universities. In all, achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies. 

While Talla Khattat’s educational path is not a simple or straightforward one, the �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) student and recent UCLA graduate is brimming with ideas, talent and sheer grit – traits which will most certainly help her forge a successful career.

The definitive renaissance woman, Talla, 22, has multiple career aspirations – traveling investigative journalist, pianist, composer, teacher and film producer – and one day aims to succeed at all five.