News

Three IVC Interactive Media Arts students were selected as finalists for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) GameSiG Showcase, which took place on Saturday, April 30. Student Alex Puh won 3rd place along with the Software Engineering and Intercollegiate Collaboration award. Wenjun Yang won Most Unique Game World.  

Lauren Heyden always did her best thinking out on the trails. So when it came time to ruminate on a career path, it was only natural that her mind rambled toward environmental sustainability.

Before enrolling at Irvine Valley College, Heyden spent her time backpacking, hiking, and traveling the Sierra Nevadas, and beyond. She was happiest exploring nature, but felt inclined to do more. She wanted to make a difference.

Congratulations to IVC’s Teachers of the Year for the 2021-22 academic year who were recognized by the South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees on April 18. The Teacher of the Year program identifies and honors exemplary teachers, and highlights educational innovation, student learning, and the rewards of teaching.

Emily Liu: Outstanding Full-Time Teacher of the Year

Whether it’s the indelible, escalating musical intensity of Dunkirk, or the refined racket of Arrakis on Dune, you’ve probably had your mind blown by the work of Irvine Valley College grad Raul Vega.

As digital instrument creator for legendary film composer Hans Zimmer, Vega has contributed to such memorable scores as Interstellar, Dunkirk, and most recently, Academy Award Best Original Score-winner Dune. With more than 30 TV and film credits to his name in less than 10 years, the IVC alum’s early career is playing out on the highest of notes.

From the day Claudia Lopez first laid eyes on wrestling and rodeo events as a child in Mexico, she knew she would someday make show business her business. But it wasn’t until she found Irvine Valley College that her dreams took center stage.

Nathan Cayanan, IVC Writing and ESL instructor, has been selected for DC Comics’ inaugural class of the Milestone Initiative Talent Development Program. Cayanan was selected from hundreds of applicants from across the US and Canada. 

The Milestone Initiative was created to provide access and opportunity for Black and diverse storytellers in the field of comics. 

IVC English instructor Burlee Vang premiered his latest film, They Live in the Grey, on AMC Networks’ Shudder, and it has received wide acclaim and press. Professor Vang wrote and directed the horror film along with his brother, Abel Vang.

Two IVC students have been named by the Community College League of California to the 2022 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-California Academic Team. Anna Nahm was named to the First Academic Team, and Amelie Phua to the Third Academic Team. Anna has also been selected as a 2022 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

Sixty IVC students, supported by the IVC Honors Program, participated in the 22^nd Annual UCI Community College Honors Research Conference on March 26, 2022. IVC students delivered 32 oral presentations and 13 poster presentations, comprising 45 of the 188 total research projects presented – the greatest number out of the 30 participating colleges statewide.