Norco College | President's Newsletter

January 2020

Greetings,

I hope you had wonderful holiday season!

The College is gearing up for the start of Spring semester, which begins February 18, and are excited to welcome over 9,500 students that are looking to transform their lives through education.

I invite you to read about the amazing projects our students are leading, especially in the STEM fields. I would also like to invite you to view Norco College's Quick Facts 2020 for an overview of our college programs and students we serve.

So many exciting events to look forward to this spring. Please keep an eye out on the upcoming events section of this newsletter and plan to participate. Our communities are always welcome.

I look forward to keeping you engaged and informed.

With gratitude,

Monica Green, Ed.D.
Interim President, Norco College

THE NASA SUITS DESIGN CHALLENGE TEAM OF 2020
Top Row (Left to Right): Austin Weimer, Howard Nguyen, Marium Mukhtar, Itaty Bustamante, Cesar Velador, Hiba Syeda, David Gibson, Patrick Avila, Justin Teeter, Andrew Rivero, Kristofer Hicks. Bottom Row: Hunter Watt, Ahad Mukhtar, Jason Lopez, Angel Lim, Gerardo Devora, Nathan Villar

Twenty Norco College students were selected to participate in the annual NASA Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students (SUITS) challenge to design, develop, and test augmented reality user interfaces for astronauts. This technology allows astronauts to check suit vitals through helmet displays, navigate around uncharted territories such as mars or the moon, and provide mission instructions through holograms. Read more>>>

Follow project via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Alumni Spotlight: Ahmad Elhaija, former Norco College STEM Scholar and current UCLA student, launched a mobile health clinic to increase access to care. Elhaija used a $15,000 Strauss Foundation scholarship to help provide affordable care to low-income and refugee communities in Los Angeles. Read story here>>>

NORCO COLLEGE ENGINEERING STUDENTS SELECTED TO BUILD A ROCKET

Norco College was among 150 schools selected to design and build a rocket to launch at the annual Spaceport America Cup in June. This is a big win for Norco College engineering students because this competition is historically reserved for four-year institutions.

“Working with a group of creative and brilliant people is a continual reminder of why I wanted to be an engineer. Our progress thus far is a testament to the power of collaboration, and collective ambition,” said student and team lead, Paul Guyett. Read more>>>

Each decade, the United States holds a population census count. The data collected by the census determines a number of things which can affect California and its residents. Through the census, billions of dollars are distributed by the federal government to local communities, universities, community colleges districts such as Riverside Community College District and municipalities. This year’s census will take place on April 1. The process is immense as some 330 million people in more than 140 million housing units will need to be accounted for on April 1. You can help by ensuring your household participates in the California Census. For more on the census, click here>>>

The Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place a $715 million bond measure on the March 3 ballot. Measure A would provide funds, through property taxes, that would allow RCCD colleges to grow as well as provide upkeep for current facilities. Nearly 40 percent of the community’s high school graduates rely on RCCD colleges for their higher education needs. The improvement bond needs a 55 percent approval by voters within the District boundaries. For more information on Measure A and the needs of the colleges, click here>>>

Upcoming Events

Feb. 18 – First day of Spring Semester

Feb. 20 – Black History Month Performance: Ain't I a Woman | 6:30 - 9 pm, Little Theatre

Feb. 27 – Movie Night in honor of Black History Month | 6:30 - 9 pm, Center for Student Success, 217

March 2 - Art Gallery Exhibit featuring Jane Chafin & Stevie Love: New Paintings. Exhibit will be on display through April 10

March 7 - Art Gallery Exhibit Opening Reception | 1:30 - 3:30 pm

March 24 - Art Gallery Exhibit: Artists' Discussion | 10:30 - 11:30 am

Forward

Visit our website

The Riverside Community College District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, ancestry, genetic information, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any characteristic listed or defined in Section 11135 of the Government Code or any characteristic that is contained in the prohibition of hate crimes set forth in subdivision (1) of Section 422.6 of the California Penal Code, or any other status protected by law. Inquiries regarding compliance, and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District’s Title IX Officer/Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 3801 Market Street., Riverside, CA 92501. (951) 222-8039.