Longtime Solano College professor, board member is Woman of the Year | dailyrepublic.com

A longtime math professor at Solano Community College, and member of the college’s governing board, has been selected as the 3rd Senate District’s Woman of the Year.

Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, on Tuesday announced A. Marie Young as his choice for this year’s honor.

“I am deeply honored to receive this distinguished recognition from Sen. Dodd,” Young said in a statement released by Dodd’s office. “It is a testament to my longstanding commitment of volunteering through the years to support organizations serving communities at the local, regional, state and national levels. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide leadership, to collaborate and achieve a shared mission to uplift communities in need.”

Source: Longtime Solano College professor, board member is Woman of the Year | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vanden keeps streak of Academic Decathlon state appearances alive | dailyrepublic.com

The Vanden High Academic Decathlon team is going to the state competition for the 23rd straight year – finishing second overall at this year’s regional competition.

Campolindo High School in Morago won the Bay Region Academic Decathlon, which finished Saturday, and will represent Contra Costa County at the state finals to be held March 22-24 in Santa Clara.

The Vanden team is comprised of Cailyn Nguyen, Alyssa Patterson, Xavier Ramirez, Sarah Salmi, Charlotte Rains, Kindal Reddic, Rohan Kamath, Alan Dorji, Mahi Chanan, Joshua Richardson, Hannah Leibert, Michael Pierandozzi, Brayden Lam, Isabella Lam and Francesco Xie Santora. The coach is David Kenyon.

Source: Vanden keeps streak of Academic Decathlon state appearances alive | News | dailyrepublic.com

Vanden team earns 2nd place at Bay Region Academic Decathlon – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

The whiz kids from Vanden High School on Saturday tackled a series of questions ranging from art and mathematics to economics and science to literature and social science to walk away with their heads held high and medals around their necks for placing second at the Bay Region Academic Decathlon held at Solano Community College in Fairfield.

Campolindo High, from the Acalanes Union High School District, took first and has been invited to go on to represent Contra Costa County at the state Academic Decathlon competition March 22 to 24 in Santa Clara.

No surprise, perhaps, this year’s outcome is a reverse of last year’s competition, when Vanden came out on top and Campolindo trailed in second.

Source: Vanden team earns 2nd place at Bay Region Academic Decathlon – The Vacaville Reporter

Students compete in final VEX Robotics competition | dailyrepublic.com

By Susan Hiland

The final VEX Robotics competition saw students from 11 teams hailing from four different Solano schools compete for top spots.

The Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) and Solano Community College (SCC) partnered to host the events this year.

“After the pandemic we found that a lot of the robotics teams were not active anymore,” said Lilibeth Pinpin, director of innovative programs and student success for the Solano County Office of Education. “This really helps students get reconnected with school. The kids were really excited to be back and that translates to other areas in school.”

Source: Students compete in final VEX Robotics competition | Benicia-Vallejo | dailyrepublic.com

SCOE and SCC Team Up to Host Solano County VEX Robotics League | Independent Voice

Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) and Solano Community College (SCC) have partnered together in hosting a VEX robotics league for Solano County students, with the latest competition happening Friday night, December 15th at Solano Community College.

The Solano County VEX Robotics League is open to all VEX Robotics teams in middle and high school in Solano County. Ten teams representing Golden West Middle School in Travis Unified School District, Rodriguez High School in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District, Vacaville Christian School and the Solano County Girls Who Code Club have competed in the competitions; the competition series includes four separate events with the final competition being held in January.

Source: SCOE and SCC Team Up to Host Solano County VEX Robotics League | Independent Voice

Solano CC staff gets emergency training |  dailyrepublic.com

Solano Community College has concluded a comprehensive training program on Emergency Operation Center protocols, culminating in a strategic tabletop exercise.

The training was aimed at preparing staff for effective management of resources during emergencies, which often present complex challenges, including the allocation of personnel, equipment, and facilities. Recognizing the potential stress of such scenarios, the training was designed to bolster the college’s preparedness for safeguarding its community.

Source: Solano CC staff gets emergency training | News | dailyrepublic.com

Solano College superintendent president announces retirement | dailyrepublic.com

Solano Community College Superintendent-President Celia Esposito-Noy has announced she will retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

“It has been an incredible honor to serve as the superintendent-president of SCC,” Esposito-Noy wrote in an email to college staff. “This college will always hold a special place in my heart because of your dedication, support, and friendship.”

Esposito-Noy began her tenure in January 2016, and has seen enrollment climb by more than 9,000 students, “including growth in first-time student enrollment; the establishment of two medical school pathways; a (bachelor’s) degree in Biomanufacturing; and the institution’s sound fiscal practices,” a statement released by the college states.

Source: Solano College superintendent president announces retirement | News | dailyrepublic.com

Solano Community College kicks of fall semester | dailyrepublic.com

By Amy Maginnis Honey

Parking spaces were at a premium; a welcome flag blew in the breeze at the front of the Solano Community College campus; and many of those walking around were carrying printed maps of the school.

The main campus, and satellite centers, kicked off the 2023-24 school year on Monday.

Returning student Anna Rowan, who is studying early childhood education, snagged a good parking spot. She is part of a carpool.

She was seeking information on books required by her courses. Rowan also has two online classes.

Source: Solano Community College kicks of fall semester | University | dailyrepublic.com

Secretary of State to speak at SCC – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber headlines a League of Women Voters of Solano County event Tuesday at Solano Community College in Fairfield.

Weber will speak at the 3 p.m. gathering in the college’s theater, Building 1200, at 4000 Suisun Valley Road. Parking will be in lot No. 4. Weber is the first Black secretary of state in California history and a former State Assembly member.

Her speech titled “Democracy Matters: Be Visible, Be Vocal and Vote” will be the keynote address. The 90-minute event also will include a panel discussion led by local youth leaders.

Source: Secretary of State to speak at SCC – The Vacaville Reporter

SCC Vallejo computer labs get a reboot – Times Herald Online

By Daniel Egitto

Solano Community College’s Vallejo campus unveiled dozens of new computers this week in its recently renovated computer labs, promising fall semester classes in animation and graphic design.

Rachel Smith, an instructor of digital media arts, looked proudly at the rows of new desks and monitors Wednesday — the culmination of two years of effort and at least $200,000 in funding.

“These are some of the best facilities around,” Smith said. “We’ve had students come in and say our labs are pretty comparable to the state schools and certainly some of the art schools around here. So, we’re really thankful and lucky for these new upgrades.”

Source: SCC Vallejo computer labs get a reboot – Times Herald Online

Solano College graduates fill Doc Hollister, again, with dreams, hopes, joy – Daily Republic

Andrea Solis Olguin found her dream at Solano Community College.

“It is the first place I felt where I belonged,” said Olguin, who delivered the Student Commencement speech at the 2023 Solano Community College graduation on Thursday.

It was the first in-person graduation since 2019, and it was greeted with a cool breeze, and a soft blue sky dotted with milky, translucent gray-white clouds.

Source: Solano College graduates fill Doc Hollister, again, with dreams, hopes, joy

Solano College to honor alumni, inductees into athletics hall of fame – The Vacaville Reporter

Three Solano Community College programs are collaborating to celebrate the school’s past and present with a new class of alumni and inductees into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

The awards will be presented at the SCC Athletic Hall of Fame Celebration on Saturday, May 20 at 6 p.m. at the SCC Performing Arts Center, located at 4000 Suisun Valley Road in Fairfield.

“We are thrilled to honor these outstanding athletes and distinguished alumni who have made a lasting impact on our college and in our community,” Solano College Athletics Director Erik Visser said. “Their commitment to excellence and leadership embodies the values of Solano Community College, and we are proud to recognize their contributions with these well-deserved honors.”

Source: Solano College to honor alumni, inductees into athletics hall of fame – The Vacaville Reporter

VUSD teams up with SCC to offer biotech courses for high schoolers – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Analytical thinking skills. Knowledge of biology. Being thorough and detail-oriented. The ability to work on your own and with others. Good verbal communication skills. Knowledge of mathematics. Knowledge of chemistry, including the safe use and disposal of chemicals.

Those are among the key skills a biotechnologist should have.

Students at Vacaville and Wood high schools will have a chance to learn and retain such skills in the coming year on their respective campuses if they enroll in a dual option that is a newly announced partnership between Vacaville Unified and Solano Community College.

Source: VUSD teams up with SCC to offer biotech courses for high schoolers – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano Community College wins Speech and Debate National Championship – Daily Republic

By Barbara Navolanic

The Solano Speech and Debate Team are proud to announce that we are the 2023 Phi Rho Pi Community College National Champions! The Phi Rho Pi national championship tournament was held from April 10th – 15th in Washington D.C. Over sixty of the top community colleges from every region the country competed. Your Solano Falcons won Gold Overall Sweepstakes, Gold Debate Sweepstakes, and Gold Individual Sweepstakes, in the Hindman small school division. This success occurred due to the determination, skills, and intelligence of amazing students. We brought four students, and all four students made it into a semi-final or final round. Thank you to our amazing coaches, Dr. Douglas Mungin & Janene Whitesell.

Source: Solano Community College wins Speech and Debate National Championship

SCC’s Department of Public Safety celebrates first year – The Vacaville Reporter

Solano Community College’s Department of Public Safety will celebrate its firs turn around the sun on May 1.

The last time SCC had its own stand-alone police department was circa 2013. Unfortunately, due to budgetary reductions throughout the district in the same year, SCC disbanded the Police Department and began contracting security services with the Solano County Sheriff’s Office on July 1 of that year.

The security contract with the Sheriff’s Office ended April 30, 2022.

Source: SCC’s Department of Public Safety celebrates first year – The Vacaville Reporter

Career Fair comes to Solano College April 13 – Daily Republic

The NorCal Career Fair returns to Solano Community College on April 13.

The event, put on by the Workforce Development Board of Solano County in partnership with the college, will feature 60 regional employers with hundreds of available job opportunities.

“Employers represent all major industries in Solano County in both the public and private sector,” organizers said in a statement.

Source: Career Fair comes to Solano College April 13

SCC Public Safety Officer saves a life at recreational basketball game – Daily Republic

Luz Daniels, a Solano Community College Department of Public Safety officer, was credited with saving a life Sunday night during a recreational basketball game.

A 53-year-old man suddenly collapsed on the court at the Fairfield campus gymnasium, according to a Facebook post from the department.

“There was panic amongst the players and spectators since this person was not breathing and had no pulse,” the post said.

Source: SCC Public Safety Officer saves a life at recreational basketball game

Solano College Theatre brings ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ to stage – Daily Republic

Solano College Theatre will open its next production, “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” April 7.

On the main stage, the show is a jukebox musical adapted from the eponymous Oscar-winning film of 1994. It tells the story of two drag queens and a transgender woman who board a battered bus to perform an epic drag show in the remote Australian desert.

The show includes songs such as “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “It’s Raining Men” and “I Will Survive.”

Source: Solano College Theatre brings ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ to stage

Getting a jump on college – The Vacaville Reporter

By Richard Bammer

Vacaville High seniors on a rainy Tuesday afternoon crowded into a Solano Community College classroom in the Student Services building, their minds, eyes, and ears focused on learning what the two-year school was all about and had to offer, hoping to get a jump start on admissions.

Jumpstart was an apt word for the gathering, as it is the name of a Vacaville Unified program newly rolled out and called JumpStart Solano, which district officials describe as a “success program” designed to help and prepare Vacaville and Wood high school seniors to make a seamless transition from their respective schools to SCC.

Source: Getting a jump on college – The Vacaville Reporter

Retiring Solano College leader toasted Mardi Gras style – The Vacaville Reporter

By Kimberly K. Fu

An air of exuberant fun exploded in Building 1400 at Solano Community College Tuesday, complete with a green, purple and gold Carnaval theme.

Aside from Mardi Gras, the dozens of students, staff and others in attendance had but one celebratory goal — to fete outgoing Student Affairs Specialist Dr. Rischa Slade.

Tears and laughter mixed and hugs were plentiful as all hugged the much-beloved Slade, a longtime community advocate and former Vacaville City Councilwoman who has always expressed a passion for helping others.

Source: Retiring Solano College leader toasted Mardi Gras style – The Vacaville Reporter