News

IVC part-time Studio Art Professor Chris Polentz received a prestigious national honor after being selected to create artwork for the U.S. Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program.

IVC is proud to announce that Senior Administrative Assistant Desiree Ortiz has been named a 2026 California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) Classified Employee of the Year, one of the highest honors awarded to classified professionals within the California Community Colleges system.

Ortiz was one of only six classified employees selected statewide for the distinction, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to Vision 2030, equitable student outcomes, leadership, professionalism, and service to their college communities.

Scribendi, the flagship literary and arts publication of the Western Regional Honors Council (WRHC), is celebrating its 40th anniversary this spring, and Irvine Valley College honors student Kimia Seifi is among the students featured in this year's edition. Seifi's visual art piece, Pho Dollars, was selected for publication in the 2026 issue of Scribendi, an annual publication showcasing creative works from honors students at member institutions throughout the region and beyond.

Raaga Mahesh’s academic journey began with a single class that sparked a lasting passion. As a high school sophomore, Mahesh took Introduction to Psychology with Professor Michael Cassens at Irvine Valley College (IVC) through dual enrollment. “There, I fell in love with wanting to understand the vast and interdisciplinary subject more,” she said. Now a psychology major focused on child development, Mahesh has built on that early inspiration through both academic exploration and real-world experience.

Sara Kabbara is a chemistry major with an emphasis in natural sciences whose academic path at Irvine Valley College (IVC) has been shaped by a deep curiosity about how molecular interactions can drive meaningful change in human health and the world around us. Before enrolling at IVC, Sara attended Northwood High School. She will transfer to Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Pharmacy to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.

For Ninja Kingly Friberg, Irvine Valley College (IVC) became the place where her passion for public service, law, and leadership took shape. This fall, she will transfer to UCLA after earning admission to Georgetown University, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and USC. While majoring in political science and philosophy and completing an associate degree in paralegal studies, Ninja discovered early what drives her ambitions.

Fifteen students in IVC's Black Student Success Scholars (BSSS) program recently took part in a multi-day tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across Texas and Louisiana. Throughout the experience, students explored transfer opportunities, learned about academic programs, and experienced the culture and traditions of HBCU campuses firsthand. The group visited schools including Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Grambling State University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

From April 5–10, Irvine Valley College’s Model United Nations team competed at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York, earning top recognition among participating institutions. The team received an Outstanding Delegation award—granted to just 5% of schools—along with four Position Paper Awards, two Outstanding Delegate honors, and a Committee Chair selection. IVC was one of only two community colleges to earn Outstanding Delegation distinction and tied for the most position paper awards among all delegations.

On April 16, Irvine Valley College recognized eight faculty members who were recently approved for tenure by the Board of Trustees, effective Fall 2026. This milestone reflects their dedication to teaching excellence, student success, and the college’s academic mission. Tenure at IVC represents a significant professional achievement and a continued commitment to fostering high-quality learning experiences. Congratulations to our newly tenured faculty!

Newly Tenured Faculty: