The IVC Speech Team finally had a chance to test their skills at their first tournament of the academic year at the 2021 PSCFA Warm-Up Tournament, held on October 2-3. Sixteen colleges and universities came together to compete at the event, with five students representing IVC. Despite the usual challenges of being virtual, IVC Forensics came out ahead by winning three awards in debate and limited preparation events. Saoud Moon went undefeated in IPDA (individual) debate and received the 1st place Superior Award.

IVC held a virtual Veteran’s Day commemoration on November 10. IVC President John C. Hernandez joined Vice President for Student Services and veteran Dr. Martha McDonald, veteran and former IVC student Erik Grohmann, Tierney Center for Veteran Services Director Brigadier Denton Knapp, and ASIVC President and veteran DeAngelo Hunter to honor veterans both past and present. Dr. Miatta Snetter, who provides veterans counseling services at IVC, sang both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful.” View the ceremony.

IVC student veteran Hannah Uribe was recently recognized as a Veteran of the Year for Assembly District 74, a recognition given by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. Uribe says the nomination, made by IVC’s Senior Veterans Specialist Ezekiel (Zeke) Hall, took her by surprise.

“It feels unreal. I do not feel deserving, but I am deeply honored and grateful to be considered,” says Uribe.

The Aspen Institute has named Irvine Valley College one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges. The colleges selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds. 

The Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce held its inaugural Distinguished Educators recognition ceremony on October 13, recognizing exemplary Irvine educators who have contributed to the educational process through direct student involvement or partnership activities. IVC’s UCI-IVC Engineering Academy and Professor Dr. Gary Rybold, who teaches public speaking and debate, were among the recipients recognized by the Chamber with a Distinguished Educator Award.

Constitution Day, formerly known as Citizenship Day, commemorates the formation and signing of the US Constitution by thirty-nine brave men in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, and also recognizes all who by birth or naturalization have become citizens of the United States.

The Constitution of the United States of America: 

For young adults aging out of the foster youth system, the future can be daunting. They may face unique financial and life challenges that make it more difficult to stay in school, which means they are more likely than any other group of students to drop out of college or complete a bachelor’s degree.

William Tate was studying mechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, when he realized his passion for the profession was quickly waning and he opted to return to his hometown of Irvine.

A local author who found her wings at Irvine Valley College (IVC) has just published her debut novel to critical acclaim.

Mary Camarillo also drew on her experiences as a postal service employee and a Huntington Beach resident to craft her novel, The Lockhart Women, which explores what happens when everything a woman knows and trusts is torn asunder.

Camarillo has a long history with publication, including in IVC’s own The Ear literary journal, along with other prestigious journals like Lunch Ticket.

IVC 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.