Tag: Home

Sierra College Enters Land Purchase Agreement to Construct New Regional Public Safety Training Center

Posted on

New 50-acre Facility in Western Placer County Will Feature Training Grounds, Props and Simulated Spaces to Support Real-world Training by Students, Regional Police and Fire Agencies

Sierra College today announced an agreement to acquire a 50-acre site from the Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) for the design and construction of a new Regional Public Safety Training Center to meet the growing demand for highly skilled first responders and public safety professionals.

“Skills training in public safety is crucial, not just for students preparing to enter the profession but also among our professional police and fire agencies that must meet ongoing training requirements,” said Sierra College President/Superintendent Willy Duncan on behalf of the college and more than a dozen regional public safety partners pushing for the new center. “The lack of a local, fully equipped regional training center has been a stumbling block to training future public safety professionals in our region in the sort of simulated environments they work in daily. Sierra College is proud to partner with the public safety community to advance this locally owned and operated training facility to make our communities that much safer.”

Under the land purchase agreement between Sierra College and WPWMA, the college will purchase 50 acres of land northwest of Fiddyment Road and West Sunset Boulevard in the Sunset Area of unincorporated Placer County. The 50 acres would be subdivided from a larger, 154-acre WPWMA-owned parcel that is currently undeveloped and planned for future complementary and programmatic elements. Under the agreement, Sierra College will have two years to conduct environmental review and identify the precise location for siting the Training Center. The purchase price is $1.1 million.

The agreement was approved by the Sierra College Community College District Board of Trustees on Tuesday, Feb. 11 and by the WPWMA Board of Directors on Thursday, Feb. 13. 

The land purchase is the latest milestone in an effort launched by Sierra College in 2021 to partner with Placer County, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Fire Department, the FBI, fire and police departments representing Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, and Auburn, and education partners such as Sacramento State to tackle the greatest public safety training needs experienced in Placer County and beyond. Based on these consultations, early designs for the Regional Public Safety Training Facility include an emergency driving course, training tower, simulated tactical village, training props, shooting ranges, indoor training spaces, and a large paved area for maneuvers (i.e., grind pad). The facility will also include classrooms and is envisioned to support both fire and police academies in the future.

Sierra College currently offers degrees, certificates and skills certificates in Fire Technology, including a Firefighter 1 and 2 Academy, an Administration of Justice program that includes two levels of police academy training, and a Emergency Medical Technician program.

Partial funding for the Regional Public Safety Training will come from Measure E, the $350 million Sierra College facilities bond approved by voters in 2018. The partners intend to work together to identify additional funding sources.  

What This Means to Our Partners in Their Own Words

Placer County

  • “We all recognize the need to scale to match future growth and maintain high-quality community service,” said Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo. “This facility will help us accelerate hiring of future workers and keep our workforce trained with the latest skills without the added cost and time of sending our personnel out of the area for training. Placer County is excited for this partnership with Sierra College and our public safety partners.” 
  • “Placer safety agencies work exceptionally well together and this regional training center is a tremendous opportunity to enhance our collective effectiveness for the community,” said Placer County Fire Department Chief Brian Estes. “Joint training among local agencies and among fire and police is the future of public safety response. This facility will give us the opportunity to be on the cutting edge by continually training together across agencies to maintain the best possible service to the community.”
  • “The vision for a Regional Public Safety Training Center has been the epitome of collaboration between Sierra College and all the public safety agencies, both law and fire, in western Placer County,” said Placer County Executive Officer Daniel Chatigny. “Placer County is proud to be a partner in this much needed and strategic vision.”

Roseville

  • “Our public safety workforce is a combination of hiring workers from out of the area agencies who want to move to Placer County combined with newly hired staff from the local area,” said Roseville Police Chief Troy Bergstrom. “The common need across our workforce is we struggle to find a place for them to receive training both as newly hired staffing needing academy training or for the large amount of in-service training required for our officers and professional staff. A modern training facility in our county will allow us to train our own workforce here to keep up with our training needs and be able to maintain the high level of expertise required of our regional public safety workers.”
  • “Demand for training is sky-high and beyond our current facilities,” said Roseville Fire Chief Ryan Harrigan. “We see intense demand to use Roseville’s fire training center for firefighter academies, continuing education, and in-service training for our personnel and public safety partners. We look forward to further collaboration to design a bigger, more comprehensive training site that can better meet our regional training needs.”

Lincoln

  • “For smaller agencies, it’s difficult to find the time and funding for training, even though our needs are the same as large agencies,” said Lincoln Public Safety Chief Matt Alves. “Having a facility in our backyard will save local taxpayers money because we can share resources with our partners, as well as save on travel and personnel costs because we won’t need to travel out of area.”

Rocklin

  • “Right now, agencies are stringing together their training programs on an ad hoc basis around the community wherever we can find space,” said Rocklin Police Chief Rustin Banks. “We are trying to train on emergency driving maneuvers in empty parking lots. This is an incredible opportunity to design a first-class, comprehensive training facility from the ground up so that we can continue to deliver first-class service to the community.”
  • “Public safety professions are evolving rapidly, with increasing demands for training to keep pace with changing laws, technology and community expectations,” said Rocklin Fire Chief Reginald Williams. “We are excited to be partnering on a regional-scale facility that keeps our personnel up-to-date on these changes for their safety and the safety of our community.”     

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.

Sierra College Community Packs in for Sneak Peek of New, State-of-the-Art Gym

Posted on

The 81,000 Square Foot Facility Includes Competition, Training and Classroom Spaces

Hundreds of Sierra College students, employees and community supporters gathered to celebrate the first sports competitions held at the college’s new, state-of-the-art gymnasium on the Rocklin campus. The “Pack the Gym” event on Tuesday, Feb. 11 offered a sneak peek of the major modernization and expansion project. It includes new competition spaces, teaching classrooms, training and locker rooms. The event was capped off by the Sierra College women’s and men’s Wolverine basketball teams squaring off against the Santa Rosa Junior College Bear Cubs – the first home games played by Sierra College at the Rocklin campus in two years.

“The new gym is a great example of how we’re transforming the experience on our Rocklin campus for students and the community,” said Sierra College President/Superintendent Willy Duncan. “Sierra College is on the rise and the level of investment and projects happening here is unprecedented since the college was first constructed 60 years ago. We are thrilled for our students and employees who will train, compete, learn and work in a more modern gym facility, as well as all students, employees and community members who come out to support our athletics programs.” 

The original Sierra College gym was constructed in the 1960s during initial development of the Rocklin campus. As part of the modernization and expansion project, the old gym has been turned into offices, classrooms, a cardio/weight room and a wrestling room. The newly constructed space includes the new competition gym with expanded stadium seating and the ability to divide the court into smaller courts for practice/volleyball games, new athlete locker rooms (in addition to separate PE and staff locker rooms), additional classrooms and a foyer which provides the perfect gathering space for students and student athletes. The new facility totals approximately 81,000 square feet (SF), which is made up of 34,000 SF of renovated space and 47,000 SF of new construction.

“To be able to be in our own home just really instills a sense of pride for our community here at the college,” said Sierra College Women’s Basketball Head Coach Brandie Murrish. “I’m so grateful to our Board of Trustees for being able to give our student athletes and all our students the opportunity to enjoy this facility. I foresee thousands of community members coming through this gym for decades to come.”

In addition to volleyball, basketball, wrestling and other sporting competitions, it will house the kinesiology and physical education classes for the Rocklin campus. The new gymnasium complex also connects seamlessly with the existing pool complex, football stadium, and newly renovated competition sand volleyball courts.

The gym is one of several modernization projects underway at the Rocklin campus.

The Applied Technology Center and the Student Union/Campus Center, also built in the 1960s, are scheduled for renovation, as well. The gymnasium project, along with the other new construction and renovation projects included in the Rocklin Facilities Master Plan Implementation will create an updated, modern, functional and attractive campus for our students and the community to enjoy now and into the future.

Many of the Rocklin campus projects are supported by the Measure E bond approved by voters in 2018. However, no Measure E funds were utilized for the gym modernization and expansion. The $59 million gym project was funded through a combination of $32.4 million from the State of California (through the California Community College Capital Outlay Program) and $26.6 million in direct funding from Sierra College.

Photos from the event are available here: Sneak Peek at the NEW GYM! Feb 11, 2025 | Flickr

More about the long-term facilities master plan for the Rocklin campus can be found at: https://www.sierracollege.edu/improvements

Sneak Peek Police
Sneak Peek Event M Bball

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.  

Sierra College, Bosch Collaborate to Upskill Associates at Silicon Carbide Fab in Roseville

Posted on

First Certificates Awarded Under Fast-Track Mechatronics Program

Sierra College yesterday awarded certificates of achievement to 10 Bosch associates who recently completed a customized Mechatronics program. The program was designed through collaboration between Sierra and Bosch to help prepare workers with the skills and training that will be needed as Bosch works toward production of the first silicon carbide chips at the Roseville site in 2026.

“Sierra College is passionate about working with area employers like Bosch to deliver customized training solutions that match their business needs,” said Amy Schulz, Sierra College Executive Dean for Workforce and Strategic Initiatives. “Working closely with the Bosch team, we were able to design a condensed Mechatronics certificate program that emphasized the specific, hands-on training that employees will need as the Bosch facility comes online. As Bosch becomes an even larger part of our local economy and community, Sierra is excited to support its success.”

Typically an 18-24 month program, Sierra College and Bosch designed a Mechatronics certificate that could be completed in one year by adding summer session classes and additional lab space for Bosch associates.

“Access to skilled workers and education is vital for Bosch’s plans for our silicon carbide fab,” said Sara Lausmann, Line Maintenance Manager at Bosch in Roseville and past graduate of the Mechatronics program. “Sierra College was able to design a program to meet our needs within two months and take full advantage of this time before the plant is in operation by helping our current workers upskill and prepare for a new type of work in a state-of-the-art facility. This collaboration is one of many win-wins we see for Bosch and the community.”

In April 2023, Bosch announced and closed an acquisition of an existing wafer fab in Roseville and has begun the process to transform the site. Since the acquisition, Bosch has retained nearly all of the 250 associates during the transformation process as it prepares for the 2026 launch production of 200-millimeter wafers based on the pioneering silicon carbide Bosch technology. Bosch plans to invest up to $1.9 billion to transform the site, supported by a $25 million California Competes Tax Credit approved by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and up to $225 million in proposed direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In addition to training its current workforce, Bosch is also investing locally to help build up semiconductor expertise for the future. The Bosch Community Fund provided a $100,000 grant to the Sierra College Foundation in Rocklin, California for its Career Technical Education Support Fund. The grant has helped to support associated costs with certification fees, microcontroller kits, development material, software, protective gear, tools, entry and travel fees for STEM competitions, project supplies for STEM Clubs and more.

Sierra College’s Mechatronics program – housed within its Business and Technology Division – includes the study of robotics and industrial automation and offers students multiple educational options, including Associate of Arts or Associate of Science Degree, a Certificate of Achievement and a Skills Certificate. Mechatronics students work in many fields, including electronics, mechanical systems, programming, semiconductors, manufacturing and transportation. Jobs include field service technicians, industrial electricians, fabricators, assemblers, PLC programmers and microcontroller programmers. Classes are scheduled to meet the needs of a variety of learners, including night class offerings. To learn more about enrolling in the Mechatronics program, go to www.sierracollege.edu/mechatronics

Across its more than 120 degrees and certificates, Sierra College regularly works with industry groups and individual employers to understand labor market needs and changes in technology and machinery to deliver a rigorous, relevant educational experience that prepares students for work on day one. Through its 21 Career Continuing Technical Education programs, Sierra College prepares students for employment in specific high-demand sectors such as manufacturing, building industries, IT and computer science, automotive technology, nursing and allied health, public safety and business. Sierra also delivers customized training programs for individual employers to retrain and upskill their workforce.

Photos of the event are available here: Bosch Graduation, Feb 12, 2025 (Flickr Album)

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.

Sierra College Theatre Arts Department Presents And Then There Were None

Posted on
Then There Were None

Live Performances March 21 – April 13 in Rocklin

Sierra College Theatre Arts Department announces its spring musical production of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None directed by Scott Adams. Members of the community are invited to attend any of the eight performances from March 21 through April 14 in the Dietrich Theatre on the Sierra College campus in Rocklin.  

Performance Dates and Times            

  • Friday, March 21 at 7:30 pm  
  • Saturday, March 22 at 7:30 pm 
  • Friday, April 4 at 7:30 pm 
  • Saturday, April 5 at 2 pm 
  • Sunday, April 6 at 2 pm
  • Friday, April 11 at 7:30 pm 
  • Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 pm 
  • Sunday, April 13 at 2 pm (closing matinee) 

Story

Ten strangers are summoned to a remote island. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they’re unwilling to reveal and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. As the weather turns and the group is cut off from the mainland, one by one they are mysteriously murdered in accordance with the lines of a sinister nursery rhyme. 

Purchase Tickets

Tickets are available online from On the Stage at https://our.show/sierra/None. Tickets can also be purchased at the door one hour before curtain time in the Dietrich Theatre Lobby.

  • $20 general admission
  • $18 Seniors (65+)
  • $15 Sierra College Faculty/Staff
  • $10 All students and children

Venue

Dietrich Theatre (Building T) at Sierra College, 5100 Sierra College Blvd., Rocklin, CA 95677. View Rocklin Campus Interactive Map.

Contact (916) 660-8036 for more information.  

Accessibility and Sound

Dietrich Theatre offers:

  • accessible parking (Lot A-1)
  • wheelchair access
  • wheelchair accessible seating

Please note that this show has simulated gunshots.

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu 

Sierra College Welcomes Anabel Toche as Executive Dean of Student Equity and Completion

Posted on

New Executive Dean to Champion Student Success and Equity Initiatives

Sierra College is proud to announce the appointment of Anabel Toche as the new Executive Dean of Student Equity and Completion. In this role, Toche will lead initiatives to ensure all students have equal opportunities to succeed and graduate. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Anabel Toche to Sierra College,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “Her extensive experience and deep commitment to equity align seamlessly with our mission of fostering a culture of belonging and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. We look forward to the positive impact she will bring to our college community.”

With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, Anabel Toche is a dedicated advocate for equity and student success. Most recently, Toche served as the Dean of Student Success, Institutional Effectiveness at Yuba College. As a Latina and a first-generation college graduate from a low-income immigrant family, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to this leadership role. Anabel holds a bachelor’s degree in leadership studies from Cal Poly Humboldt and an MBA from Southern Oregon University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at UC Davis.

As the Executive Dean of Student Equity and Completion, Toche will work with campus and community partners to create an inclusive environment that supports Sierra College’s diverse student population while implementing strategies to help students achieve their educational goals more efficiently. 

“I am honored to join Sierra College and excited to work alongside dedicated faculty, staff, students, and the campus community to advance equity and student success initiatives,” said Toche. “I look forward to building on Sierra College’s strong foundation and collaborating with the campus community and the broader community to foster a culture where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their educational goals.”

Throughout her distinguished career, Toche has demonstrated a profound commitment to creating transformative student success programs. Her extensive experience includes overseeing initiatives such as EOPS/CARE/NextUp, CalWORKs, TRIO programs, MESA, and the Puente Project. She has also championed efforts supporting LGBTQ+, DREAMer, and AANHPI students, consistently prioritizing holistic student support, culturally responsive practices, and the dismantling of systemic barriers to equity and access.

“Anabel’s leadership philosophy, ‘Think Student and Then Decide,’ underscores her student-centered approach to decision-making,” said Duncan. “Her collaborative work with faculty, institutional research teams, and campus stakeholders has yielded measurable outcomes in closing equity gaps and enhancing student engagement. Additionally, her expertise in budget management and program assessment has been instrumental in driving sustainable, impactful change.”

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.

Sierra College Foundation Closes Fall Semester with Impactful Contributions

Posted on

Grateful for Community’s Generosity

Sierra College Foundation (SCF) closes the fall semester as the recipient of several large contributions from the U.S. Department of Commerce and leading Placer County companies and non-profits such as Bosch, Sutter Health, U.S. Bank, Tri Counties Bank, and Rotary Club of South Placer. 

“The unwavering generosity of our community continues to inspire us,” said Sonbol Aliabadi, Executive Director of the Sierra College Foundation. “By coming together to support Sierra College students, we’re investing in the future of our region. Countless students go on to make significant contributions to our local economy, demonstrating the powerful impact of education.”

Major contributions received this fall semester have included:

  • $198,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology designed to increase opportunities for local students to break into the field of cybersecurity 
  • $100,000 from the Bosch Community Fund to the Career and Technical Education Support Fund
  • $50,000 from Sutter Health for the Basic Needs Center
  • $30,000 from U.S. Bank to support Work Force Development Construction Boot Camp and the Basic Needs Center
  • $15,000 from the Sacramento Chapter of the American Public Works Association for a GPS Surveying System
  • Tri-Counties Bank and South Placer Rotary gave diapers, formula, and other goods for the Basic Needs Center

“People assume Sierra College students don’t need assistance because community college is nearly free,” said Ed Bonner, SCF President. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. While registration fees might be affordable, cost of living as we know is not. Students need help with supplies, program fees, food, housing, transportation – the basic needs. The Foundation is even able to help get money to create new programs to meet our region’s workforce needs. The work the Foundation does is nothing short of remarkable.”

Additionally, the Sierra College Foundation held its annual Golf Tournament to raise money for Wolverine Athletics. The 2024 Golf Tournament raised more than $70,000 for the Sierra College Athletics Program. 

There is still time before the end of the year to help Sierra College students by giving to SCF. There are several ways to support our students.  If you are interested in donating to SCF, please visit: www.sierracollege.edu/give.

About SCF

Sierra College Foundation is independently audited and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, most of whom live and work in the communities served by the Sierra Joint Community College District of Placer, Nevada, and parts of Sacramento and El Dorado Counties. For more information about Sierra College Foundation and how to give or volunteer, visit: www.sierracollege.edu/foundation.

Sierra College Foundation Wins $198K Federal Grant to Help Students Enter Growing Cybersecurity Field

Posted on

Grant Will Fund Expansion of New Placer Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline Collaborative

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded the Sierra College Foundation with a new $198,000 grant designed to increase opportunities for local students to break into the high-demand field of cybersecurity and help area employers meet their workforce needs.

“We are thrilled to join the national network of RAMPS (Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships Stimulate) for Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development,” said Amy Schulz, Executive Dean of Workforce and Strategic Initiatives at Sierra College. “This new grant will enable our network of partners to expand opportunities for students and upskilling for workers across our community. This new infusion will help us build on Sierra College’s existing designation as one of only five community colleges in California to be named a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. We are excited to continue our work to prepare students, including those from underrepresented and vulnerable populations, to meet the ever-increasing demand for good-paying cybersecurity jobs and keep our businesses and our country safe.”

Nationally, it is estimated that there are just 85 workers for every 100 cybersecurity jobs available, leaving an estimated 40,000 jobs unfilled. In California, job growth in the cybersecurity field is expected to grow 33% from 2023 to 2033, equating to roughly 17,300 job openings each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the Sacramento Region there were 1,690 job openings in cybersecurity-related fields in January 2024, according to CyberSeek.org. The median pay for a cybersecurity job is $92,160 in the Sacramento Area, according to online job postings. Senior and specialized roles, like Security Architects and CISOs, can command $120K to $150K or more due to immense demand, especially in government, healthcare, and tech sectors.

The Department of Education’s Regional Alliance and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate (RAMPS) Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development initiative is a federal program aimed at enhancing cybersecurity education and building a skilled workforce to address growing cyber threats. By fostering collaboration among educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and government entities, RAMPS seeks to develop tailored training programs and resources that meet the needs of local economies.

Activity will be led by the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce utilizing the proven Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) system to organize employer collaboration, project critical job demand, align job requirements, analyze the talent supply chain, build the talent supply chain, and engage in continuous improvement and resiliency planning.

“TPM provides a proven, structured process that helps businesses collaborate with education and workforce development partners to co-design talent supply chains. It’s proven effective in filling high-demand positions in local hospitals and we’re excited to create a pathway that helps all students gain access to this growing field,” said Rana Ghadban, Chief Executive Officer of the Roseville Area Chamber.

Other Cybersecurity Collaborative partners include the City of Roseville, the County of Placer, the United Cybersecurity Alliance, the Roseville Joint Union High School District, and the Western Placer Unified School District. Student support services providers include the Golden Sierra Job Training Agency, the Health Education Council, Pride Industries, and the Sierra College Foundation.

About Sierra College Foundation

Sierra College Foundation is independently audited and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, most of whom live and work in the communities served by the Sierra Joint Community College District of Placer, Nevada, and parts of Sacramento and El Dorado Counties. For more information about Sierra College Foundation and how to give, visit: www.sierracollege.edu/foundation.

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. For more information, visit: www.sierracollege.edu.

About the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1947, the Roseville Area Chamber has played a significant role in supporting local businesses and fostering economic growth in the Roseville area. Our mission is to provide value to our members; promote and meet the needs of business and industry; and achieve community success through advocacy and leadership. For more information, visit: www.rosevillechamber.com

Sierra College Hosts California Forward and Regional Partners for Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Event

Posted on

On October 8, Sierra College welcomed members of the California Forward (CA FWD) organization along with regional leaders from education and business to its Rocklin campus for a collaborative event focused on building a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the Sacramento region’s growing manufacturing sector.

“If you want to accomplish great things, surround yourself with people and partners who are naturally inclined to say, ‘Yes, we can do that,’ and then figure out how to get it done,” said Sierra College Superintendent/President Willy Duncan. “As a college and as a region, we have been able to accomplish great things in our education and workforce training efforts by starting with a mindset of ‘yes’ and I am excited to continue this approach to problem-solving in the future.”

The event featured a tour of Sierra College’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Mechatronics, Advanced Manufacturing, Welding, and Makerspace departments. Representatives of Sierra College, Bosch, Roseville Joint Unified High School District, Greater Sacramento Economic Development Council and Valley Vision also convened for a panel discussion that emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in developing programs that align with industry demands and create pathways for well-paying jobs in the manufacturing sector.

The discussion highlighted how partnerships between educational institutions, industry leaders, and economic development organizations are vital to addressing the region’s immediate workforce needs and preparing for future growth. Sierra College has been a pioneer in this collaborative approach, actively investing in programs and partnerships to build a skilled workforce for employers such as Bosch, Siemens Mobility, and new manufacturers in the area.

“Regional collaboration and dialogue among educators, employers and the continuum of workforce development organizations is vital to building connections between employers looking for talent and students seeking quality jobs in our region,” said Amy Schulz, Executive Dean of Workforce and Strategic Initiatives for Sierra College. “Sierra College is honored to help foster this collaboration with our partners, especially in fields like advanced manufacturing where there is so much exciting momentum in our region.”

Ongoing Collaborative Efforts

The event is part of a broader, strategic effort by Sierra College and its partners to develop and sustain a robust workforce pipeline for the region. Earlier this year, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, along with the Governor’s Council for Career Education, visited Sierra College’s workforce programs to see how they are empowering students with training for lucrative, in-demand careers. During her visit, the First Partner engaged with students in the Mechatronics program, a course designed specifically to meet the needs of local industries.

In June, the Sierra Workforce Summit, held at Sierra College’s Rocklin Campus, brought together representatives from major employers and education providers throughout Placer County to develop strategies to prepare youth and adults for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market. The summit focused on addressing challenges such as skill gaps, hard-to-fill positions, and the integration of new technologies in the workplace. Summit partners continue to collaborate to establish, measure and reach regional goals for education, career exploration and pathways, workforce training and upskilling for current workers, among other goals.

For more information on Sierra College’s workforce programs, please contact Amy Schulz at aschulz1@sierracollege.edu.

About Sierra College

Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information is at www.sierracollege.edu.

About California Forward (CA FWD)

California Forward (CA FWD) is a nonprofit organization that leads a statewide movement to foster inclusive, sustainable growth by bringing together communities, regions, and diverse interests to improve governance and economic opportunity. By driving collective action, CA FWD identifies scalable solutions to address California’s economic, environmental, and social challenges. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that all Californians can benefit from the state’s prosperity through collaborative and forward-thinking initiatives.

Sierra College Foundation Receives $100,000 Grant from the Bosch Community Fund

Posted on

Sierra College Foundation (SCF) received a $100,000 grant from the Bosch Community Fund to its Career Technical Education (CTE) Support Fund. The grant will support associated costs with certification fees, microcontroller kits, development material, software, protective gear, tools, entry and travel fees for STEM competitions, project supplies for STEM Clubs and more. 

In 2023, Bosch announced and closed an acquisition of a wafer fab in Roseville, CA. Bosch intends to invest $1.5 billion in the Roseville site and upgrade the manufacturing facilities to state-of-the-art processes. Subsequently, the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz) approved a $25 million California Competes Tax Credit incentive that will support redevelopment and investment in Roseville.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this collaboration,” said Amy Schulz, Executive Dean, Workforce & Strategic Initiatives. “We are working with the leadership team at Bosch to develop programs tailor made to their business and manufacturing needs. This grant will go so far to help so many of our students pursue careers in manufacturing and technology.”

As an organization, SCF serves as the advancement office for Sierra College and is committed to aligning with Sierra College’s mission: Student success for all while closing equity and achievement gaps. Students often struggle, and financial limitation is the biggest hurdle to student success.

Over 50 years in existence, SCF was founded in 1973 and raises money to support students, college programs, and the future of Sierra College. SCF does this through individual donations, corporate funding, grants and events such as the Taste of Excellence which raised over $400,000 for the Foundation in early May. 

“When we identify a need, we do everything we can to address it,” said Sonbol Aliabadi, SCF Executive Director. “This grant will help offset costs associated with studying manufacturing, ensuring companies like Bosch have access to a well-trained local workforce.”

Images 4

About Sierra College Foundation

Sierra College Foundation is independently audited and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, most of whom live and work in the communities served by the Sierra Joint Community College District of Placer, Nevada, and parts of Sacramento and El Dorado Counties. For more information about Sierra College Foundation and how to give, visit: www.sierracollege.edu/foundation.

Bosch Logo

About the Bosch Community Fund

The Bosch Community Fund, the U.S.-based foundation for Bosch, has awarded over 37 million in grants to various 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions. The BCF focuses primarily on the enrichment of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and the advancement of environmental sustainability initiatives.

Sierra College Fall 2024 Semester Begins with Largest Enrollment in Five Years

Posted on

Exciting Start to the Fall Semester

Sierra College is proud to announce the start of the Fall 2024 semester, which began on August 19, with an impressive enrollment of over 19,000 students – an 11% increase from Fall 2023 and the highest enrollment since 2018.

“It’s an exciting start to the fall semester,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “We are pleased to have our fall enrollment reach levels we haven’t seen in five years, and we are prepared to support our students on their path to success.”

To kick off the new academic year, Sierra College held Welcome Day events across the Rocklin, Nevada County, and Tahoe-Truckee campuses. These events provided students with an opportunity to connect with peers, explore Sierra College’s programs, and learn about available services.

At Sierra College, students have access to comprehensive services designed to support both their academic goals and personal well-being, whether they are enrolled in a six-week certificate program or pursuing a two-year degree. Students are connected with a team of staff members, including a counselor, support specialist, and financial aid professional, which provides continuous support throughout their academic journey. Students can also utilize the resources available through the Basic Needs Center which can assist with housing, food, employment, health and wellness, transportation, and financial assistance, allowing them to focus on their education. This wrap-around support system is designed to help students navigate their educational path to completion with confidence. For more information about student services, please visit: https://www.sierracollege.edu/student-services.

In collaboration with local and regional transportation partners, Sierra College has made getting to all four campuses easy and accessible. Students can take advantage of free bus transportation by simply showing a current Sierra College ID when they board any Roseville Transit, Placer County Transit, Auburn Transit, Nevada County Connects and/or Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit bus. Sierra College is proud to offer an additional way for students to safely travel to and from campus in the evenings via a subsidized, on-demand student transportation partnership with Uber. More information is available at https://www.sierracollege.edu/ridefree.

With these comprehensive resources in place, Sierra College looks forward to fostering an environment where all students can thrive both academically and personally in the coming semester.

About Sierra College

The Sierra College District is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Roseville, Rocklin, Grass Valley, and Truckee. With approximately 190 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.