Irvine native Aleyna Luick arrived at Irvine Valley College (IVC) lit by a spark of curiosity and the determination and resilience to stay focused on developing a clear vision for her future. A first-generation student herself, she had heard the college described as a “transformative experience” by high school counselors and former classmates alike.
For third-year Irvine Valley College (IVC) biology and chemistry student Steve Salinas, success is not just about grades — it’s about creating opportunities, building connections, and giving back to the community. With plans to graduate this spring with an associate degree in biology (Steve already holds an associate degree from IVC in chemistry), this first-generation college student is well on his way to a career in medicine.
On December 3, 2024, I welcomed over 100 attendees to the inaugural Partners and Pancakes Breakfast at the IVC at ATEP campus, launching our yearlong 40th-anniversary celebration. The event brought together employers, advisory board members, community partners, alumni, students, faculty, and staff to honor IVC’s legacy of student empowerment, workforce innovation, and community impact.
Undocumented Student Action Week is dedicated to honoring and highlighting the experience of students who are undocumented, underdocumented, DACA-mented, and belong to mixed status families. Undocumented persons bring rich culture, community, and experience to IVC and are invaluable to the fabric of the campus community. We recognize that many undocumented students continue to face significant barriers to employment and financial stability due to their immigration status. This year's USAW theme focuses on leveraging our collective power to create meaningful change.
Legal support with DACA and other immigration-related needs is available for free to Irvine Valley College students, staff, faculty and their immediate relatives (spouses, paralegal support with DACA and other immigration-related needs is available for free to Irvine Valley College students, staff, faculty and their immediate relatives (spouses, parents, siblings, and children). The services are provided through a partnership with the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN).
January 27, 2024
Dear Students,
In times like these, words may not always capture the depth of care and support we hold for each of you. Recent events and policies have had a profound impact on many in our community, and we want to take a moment to reaffirm something important: You are not alone, and you are deeply valued here at Irvine Valley College (IVC).
Michelle Chen didn’t take the road most traveled, and that’s exactly why her story stands out. A 2023 graduate of Irvine Valley College (IVC), Michelle transferred to UCLA’s prestigious Design Media Arts (DMA) program, a major with an acceptance rate of just 5 percent. “The year I was accepted, they only took 15 transfer students out of hundreds of applicants,” Michelle says.
Starting on September 1, 2024, Assembly Bill 2683 will require California Community Colleges to annually train their students on Sexual violence and sexual harassment. The training also must cover additional topics such as “the differing rates at which students experience sexual harassment and sexual assault in the educational setting based on their race, sexual orientation, disability, gender, and gender identity”.
Irvine Valley College (IVC) celebrated another successful year of its 4th Annual Idea Pitch Competition in November, drawing creative talent and entrepreneurial spirit from across the campus. The two-round competition challenged students to pitch innovative product or service ideas, resulting in over 50 submissions from more than 12 different disciplines. The competition kicked off with students submitting 60-second video pitches that outlined the problems they aimed to solve, their creative solutions, and target customers.