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�鶹��ý Senior Administrative Assistant Amy Hunter was selected as a California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) Classified Employee of the Year late last month. This prestigious honor has been awarded annually since 2009 to community college employees who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to the Vision for Success. This year, five employees from across the state were selected for this award based on their leadership and commitment to equitable student outcomes.

Three siblings’ success at �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) is a testament to their hard work, their family’s belief in the power of higher education, and the help of key faculty members who encouraged them along the way.

Monica, Caleb, and Melissa Perez all grew up in Irvine, attending University High School. “I always knew that I would go to college and get a bachelor’s degree since education is important in my family,” Monica says. “Education as a value was instilled at a very early age.”

�鶹��ý students DeAngelo Hunter and Rosio Rodrigues are recipients of the 2021 Lt. Col. Thomas U. Wall Scholarship. Each year, the Greater Irvine Chamber grants scholarships to students enrolled at �鶹��ý in memory of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas U. Wall.

Hunter, who is studying administration of justice, is a United States Army veteran. He was recently elected President of the Associated Students of �鶹��ý (AS�鶹��ý). He is also a member of the �鶹��ý Online Education Task Force.

Some people discover their true passion early in life. For others, like Raissa Lee, it takes a little longer. She happened on her love of early childhood education a decade ago, after being laid off from her job in the finance industry. �鶹��ý helped her along her journey, giving her the knowledge needed to grow in her new role as a home-based preschool owner and director.

When Iris Saint Jean enrolled at �鶹��ý, she was new to the United States. She needed to learn English, and though she had already earned college degrees in other countries, she wanted to learn practical skills that could be applied in any job she landed.

It wasn’t her first time having to acclimate to a new country. She had moved to Germany prior to coming to the U.S., and she learned that taking classes not only resulted in new knowledge, but it helped build relationships within the community.

April 14th was the exciting first round of the �鶹��ý Idea Pitch competition. The virtual competition this year was based off the premise that any student, no matter their area of study, may have an idea for a product or service that solves a problem and benefits the community.

​Thirty-seven �鶹��ý students, supported by the �鶹��ý Honors Program, participated in the 21^st Annual UCI Community College Honors Research Conference March 26-27. �鶹��ý students delivered 21 oral presentations, 7 poster presentations, and 1 performance, for a total of 29 of the 236 total presentations given over two days. The students had been working since November 2020 to conduct research, write proposal abstracts, prepare their posters, and record their presentations – all culminat

Full of drive – that’s the best way to describe �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) student Wilfredo Perez. The 22-year-old Perez chases after his goals with enthusiasm and a laser focus. It’s that kind of effort that went into researching his community college options. He wanted a college where he could take courses that meet the general educational requirements for a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of California, Irvine (UCI).

Perez recalls what initially stood out about �鶹��ý was the staff’s attentiveness.

�鶹��ý student Alexis Nguyen has been named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

�鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) student Lea Castaneda recently completed a successful journey as shift supervisor at the Irvine Target as part of �鶹��ý’s Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) program. CWE is an academic program offering students the opportunity to earn college credits while learning on-the-job, whether paid or unpaid.