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Sierra College Natural History Museum Welcomes Laura Matzer as Director

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Laura Matzer Headshot
Laura Matzer, Director of the Sierra College Natural History Museum

Sierra College has named Laura Matzer as Director of the Sierra College Natural History Museum (SCNHM). Matzer comes to Sierra College from the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum in The Dalles, Oregon, where she was responsible for leadership, vision, and direction for the museum. At Sierra College, Matzer will plan, direct, manage, oversee, and provide leadership for the award-winning Sierra College Natural History Museum located on the Rocklin campus.

The Museum has more than 20,000 specimens, with objects to spark the curiosity of every visitor. Currently on view is an Animals of the World exhibit, a Marine Mammals gallery, a Minerology exhibit featuring an array of spectacular minerals, and an Entomology (insect) display featuring California butterflies.

Matzer will establish new connections with the community via public outreach through the coordination, marketing, event planning and general facilitation of Museum tours and lectures, including teacher-training activities. Matzer will also oversee the management of the on-campus nature preserve and arboreta, and plays an active role in the development of an endowment fund to support long-term funding for the Museum.

Laura Matzer states: “Since I arrived, I have found the goodwill and support for Sierra College’s Natural History Museum to be truly remarkable. In seeking to enhance the visitor experience, it is an honor to work with students, faculty, staff, and the public to build upon the foundations already established for our exhibitions, collections, and programming, as the campus – and our audience – continues to grow. I also look forward to developing creative ways of sharing this incredible gem on Sierra College’s campus with those in the surrounding communities who have yet to discover its wonder.”

SCNHM hosts programs and events throughout the year including Free Saturdays (next program is held July 13h from 10 am-2 pm) and Dinosaur Day and Science Fest in May with live animal exhibitions, lectures, tours, Planetarium shows, physics and chemistry demonstrations, face painting, paleontological digs, and maker stations. To stay up to date, visit www.sierracollege.edu/museum.

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. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.

Sierra College Foundation Raises Nearly $3 Million for Local Students

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Foundation 50 Anniversary Logo

Student Scholarships, Endow-A-Bed Program and Basic Needs Center All Receive Funding

Sierra College Foundation (SCF) closes out Academic Year 23-24 by awarding nearly $350,000 in scholarships to over 200 local students to help pay for school, as well as living costs such as rent, utilities, gas and food. 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’s Endow-A-Bed Program in early May.

SCF announced that it had raised nearly $2 million for its Endow-A-Bed program for the College’s new affordable housing facility that broke ground in April of 2023. The facility will house 354 students paying roughly $450 a month for room and board. The Endow-A-Bed Program ensures nine beds remain gratis in perpetuity for students in dire need.

“We have had an absolutely exceptional year,” said Sonbol Aliabadi, SCF Executive Director. “What we have been able to do as an organization, collaboratively working alongside our donors, partners and the community has been truly astounding. We should all be proud. This has been a record setting year for the Foundation both in terms of what we we’ve raised, and what we’ve been able to give back to our students.”

SCF takes great pride in working with the region’s largest employers to better serve students. This year SCF received a $100,000 grant from Sutter Health, a $25,000 grant from Bank of America, and a $25,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente for the Basic Needs Center, as well as a sizable delivery of diapers and formula, and 100 laptop computers from the Rotary of Club of South Placer, and AT&T, respectively.

“This last year we saw close to 2,000 students at the Basic Needs Center and 5,500 visits to our food pantry,” said Britt Bray, program manager at the Basic Needs Center. “Students come in for many different things – food, clothes, hygiene products, school supplies. Many of our students are parents so diapers and formula were also greatly needed. Just as anyone feels impacts on their individual or household incomes in response to the economy, so do our students. In the case of our students though, they’re in school and don’t always have the ability to make ends meet. That’s where we come in to support in any way we can.”

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.

Sierra College and Partners Lead Sierra Workforce Summit

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Attendees Commit to Making Placer County the California Leader for Lifelong Learning and Career-long Success

Representatives of Placer County’s major employers and education providers came together on Tuesday, June 18 at the Sierra College Rocklin Campus to advance breakthrough strategies for preparing youth and working-age adults for good-paying jobs.  

The Sierra Workforce Summit addressed the needs of employers faced with a growing economy, changing skill demands, hard to fill positions, and new technologies revolutionizing how work gets done. 

Speakers and sessions at the Summit included: 

  • Opening keynote address by Lance Hastings, CEO of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association 
  • Futurist Keynote by Todd Trotter, Senior Vice President for Human Resources, Kaiser Permanente  
  • Employer focused sessions with major local employers, including Bosch, Trane, Placer County, and Kaiser Permanente 
  • Panel on the future of workforce development 
  • Roundtables of local education leaders on employer needs and aligning the workforce pathways  

Working Together Towards Big Goals

Wrapping up the event, Sierra College Superintendent/President Willy Duncan challenged the attendees with, “Sharing of ideas is valuable but won’t move the needle on preparing our region for the workforce challenges of today and the future. I would like to offer a call to action, a big goal moving forward. This is a vision, a pathway of our own, and something that we can take from today’s Summit and begin to work on.” 

Together, the attendees of the Sierra Workforce Summit agreed to work towards achieving the following goals by 2028: 

  1. Placer learners of all ages are connected to promising careers and can work or intern in their field of interest while in school.
  2. More than 50 area employers actively engaged with local schools and business-serving organizations to anticipate and fill future workforce needs.
  3. All public and private education providers and community-based organizations in Placer County support career exploration and have created clear educational pathways for all students to access high-demand jobs.
  4. Educators, employers and civic organizations will have assisted more than 2,000 working-age adults to increase their skills to advance in their current job or transition to a new career.
  5. Business, education, government, tribes, and community groups function as one team, leveraging information, learnings, and approaches for preparing students for good paying jobs, making Placer County the leading place in California for lifelong learning and career-long success.

The Sierra Workforce Summit was powered by Sierra College and local business partners, including:

  • Placer Business Alliance 
  • Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce 
  • Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce 
  • Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce 
  • Valley Vision 
  • Greater Sacramento Economic Council 
  • County of Placer 

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.  

Sierra College to Create Seamless Pathways into the Sacramento State Black Honors College

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Sierra College Expands its Partnership with Sacramento State as One of 25 Community Colleges to Create Seamless Pathways into the Sacramento State Black Honors College

Diverse group of leaders posed for a photo in front of a Sacramento State banner.

Sierra College and Sacramento State have a long, and strong history together and we recognize Sac State as the largest transfer destination for Sierra College students.

This agreement will provide a strong pathway for Sierra College students to continue their education locally at the nation’s first-ever Black Honors College! 

Sierra College was represented at the signing event on June 13, 2024 during the CSU Juneteenth Symposium by Vice President of Student Services Lucas Moosman.

Learn more about the Sacramento State Black Honors College and view more details on the Sac State Facebook and Sierra College Facebook pages.

Bhc Signing Juneteenth Symposium 6 14 24 6 15 24 Ap 41
Sacramento State President Luke Wood and Sierra College VP of Student Services Lucas Moosman.

Sierra College Names Lucas Moosman to Serve as Vice President of Student Services

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Lucas Moosman headshot
Lucas Moosman, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services

The Sierra College Board of Trustees at its June board meeting appointed Lucas Moosman as the new Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Services. Lucas had been serving in the role in an interim capacity since September of 2023 and was selected from a highly qualified pool of applicants for the permanent position in June 2024.

“Lucas has done an outstanding job of engaging and leading the division to focus on our institutional priorities of equity and student success in his prior leadership roles at Sierra College as Executive Dean of Student Success and Dean of Kinesiology/Athletic Director. His past accomplishments at institutions like UC Berkeley, San Diego State University, and the University of Utah showcased his unwavering commitment to enhancing the student experience,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President.

The Vice President of Student Services serves as a member of the college Executive Council and reports directly to the Superintendent/President. This position significantly affects a wide range of District educational activities and operations by overseeing student services deans, educational administrators, classified supervisors, and classified support staff.

President Duncan continued, “Lucas is a first-generation community college student and deeply understands our college’s mission and also actively engages with the greater community through his roles on the Board of Directors for Placer Valley Tourism and previously on the Board at Stand Up Placer. This blend of personal experience and commitment to fostering community partnerships and strategic collaboration makes him an excellent choice for this role.”

Lucas earned an associate’s degree from Los Medanos College, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Redlands, and a master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, he served as part time faculty and Assistant Football Coach at Diablo Valley and Los Medanos Colleges. He is a lifetime learner and is completing his Ph.D. in Leadership at University of the Cumberlands and has completed the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) Admin 201-Transformational Leadership program.

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 and Partners Announce Workforce Summit

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Sierra Workforce Summit: Future Proof Your Workforce

Business, Cities, Counties, and Education Coming Together on June 18, 2024 to Help Local Employers to Future Proof Their Workforce

Placer County’s major employers and education providers are coming together Tuesday, June 18 at the Sierra College Rocklin Campus to advance breakthrough strategies for preparing youth and working-age adults now for good-paying jobs.  

Sierra College and local partners are convening this first-ever Sierra Workforce Summit to address the needs of employers faced with a growing economy, changing skill demands, hard to fill positions, and new technologies revolutionizing how work gets done. 

“The needs of employers and the expectations of employees are changing fast with the advent of new technologies and evolving workplace expectations and demands,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “The Sierra Workforce Summit brings together those who know what the job market will need with those who will provide the necessary education and training. We hope everyone can join us for a dynamic conversation at Sierra College on June 18th.” 

The schedule will include: 

  • Opening keynote address by Ben Chida, Senior Advisor to Governor Newsom and Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Senior Advisor for Cradle to Career in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom 
  • Futurist Keynote by Todd Trotter, Senior Vice President for Human Resources, Kaiser Permanente  
  • Employer focused sessions with major local employers including Bosch, Trane, Placer County, and Kaiser Permanente 
  • Panel on the future of workforce development 
  • Roundtables of local education leaders on employer needs, and aligning the workforce pathways  

The Sierra Workforce Summit is powered by Sierra College and local business partners including:  

  • Placer Business Alliance 
  • Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce 
  • Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce 
  • Lincoln Area Chamber of Commerce 
  • Valley Vision 
  • Greater Sacramento Economic Council 
  • County of Placer 

Who Should Attend 

Leaders from the private and public sector who are looking to participate in discussions on how we can work together to meet future workforce needs in our region. 

Registration 

Registration for the Sierra Workforce Summit is open at sierracollege.edu/sws. There is no cost to attend, but seating is limited. 

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 is at www.sierracollege.edu.  

Four Sierra College Students Awarded with 2024 Emerging Journalist Fellowship 

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California Humanities 2024 Journalism Team
From left to right: Aidan Puentes, Jeralynn Querubin, Miranda Ricks, and Greg Micek.

Achievement Marks Third Year Sierra’s Journalism Program, Student Fellows Have Been Awarded

Sierra College students Miranda Ricks, Greg Micek, Aidan Puentes, and Jeralynn Querubin were named recipients of the 2024 Emerging Journalist Fellowships. They were among 22 recipients from six California Community Colleges to receive the fellowship from the California Humanities Foundation.

Sierra College was awarded fellowships for four students, the maximum the grant allows. This was the third year Sierra College students have been awarded funding from the California Humanities Foundation.

Presented in partnership with California Community Colleges, this statewide initiative provides financial support, professional training, and mentorship to student journalists as they conduct in-depth reporting projects on subjects and issues of importance to their campus and community. 

For this year’s project, Micek said, “Our team from Sierra College are working on a series of pieces on the state of Fentanyl in our local Northern California community.”

The team project aligns well with Rick’s future plans as a journalist.

“My hope is to be involved in harm reduction through journalism, destigmatizing drug use by sharing stories and covering news regarding the opioid epidemic in California,” Ricks said.

The Emerging Journalist Fellowship program first launched in 2019 as part of the national Democracy and the Informed Citizen initiative, with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through the Federation of State Humanities Councils. The fellowship program has since grown to include partnerships with community college campuses throughout the state.

California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, promotes the humanities—focused on ideas, conversation, and learning—as relevant, meaningful ways to understand the human condition and connect people to each other to help strengthen California. California Humanities has provided grants and programs across the state since 1975.  

Sierra College Welcomes Dr. David Martin as Vice President of Administrative Services 

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Dr. David Martin, Vice President of Administrative Services
Dr. David Martin, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Administrative Services

Sierra College and its Board of Trustees are pleased to announce that Dr. David Martin has been appointed to serve as the new Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Administrative Services. David will succeed Erik Skinner who is retiring after seven years of service to the district. 

Prior to joining Sierra College, Dr. Martin served as Chancellor at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), where he returned after a successful tenure as Superintendent/President at Monterey Peninsula Community College. His leadership journey includes previous roles as Chief Financial Officer/Assistant Vice Chancellor and Interim Vice Chancellor for Financial Affairs at CCSF. 

At Sierra College, Dr. Martin will serve as the Chief Business Officer, responsible for the strategic planning and management of fiscal services, campus operations and facilities, community safety and auxiliary services.  

A product of Sierra College himself, Dr. Martin has a deep connection to the institution. He attended Sierra College where he excelled both academically and athletically, playing baseball. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University San Bernardino, followed by an MBA from California State University East Bay and a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Drexel University. 

“It’s a pleasure to welcome an alum with Dr. Martin’s experience back to Sierra College as part of the leadership team,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “Sierra College’s positive reputation and strong financial position attracted an impressive pool of applicants and David rose to the top. His extensive experience and commitment to higher education make him an invaluable addition to our team as we focus on expanding the educational and workforce training opportunities for 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 CA 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. 

Dr. Melissa Leal Honored with 2023-24 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education

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Melissa Leal Hayward Award Recipient
Melissa Leal, Sierra College Ethnic Studies Instructor and 2023-24 Hayward Award Recipient.

Recognized for Her Commitment to Serve, Empower Students

Sierra College Ethnic Studies Instructor Dr. Melissa Leal was honored with the 2023-24 Hayward Award for Excellence in Education for the California Community Colleges. Sponsored annually by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, this award honors community college full-time and part-time faculty who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to their students, college, and profession.  

Dr. Leal has served as a part-time faculty member and Tribal Liaison for Sierra College since 2015 and became Sierra’s first Ethnic Studies department faculty member and chair in 2021. Dr. Leal has additionally been involved with many community efforts and statewide workgroups focused on increasing Native American education opportunities and success. 

In her submission to the nominating committee, Dr. Leal shared the following reflection on her commitment to empowering students from diverse backgrounds:  

I am a first-generation college graduate. I think back to when I was in college working on my undergraduate degree. I was in a course titled ‘Anthropology of California Indians.’ The professor of the course taught us that ‘Esselen people and language no longer exist.’ I sat there invisible. I am Esselen and I exist. My ancestors endured multiple genocides, but we are still here. I knew from that day forward that my goal and duty as an instructor (whether it be in K-12 or higher education) was to ensure that no student ever felt invisible like I did that semester. My commitment to serving and empowering students from diverse backgrounds and experiences comes from that moment. I was blessed to eventually take a course with an instructor who was also a California Indian woman and the fact that she “saw” me made all of the difference in the world. I vowed to always see and hear students as they come. I share this story with them in hopes that they will understand their academic journey a little better.  

“Dr. Leal is an inspiring educator,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “She brings her personal experiences and her passion for students into her work, and it’s impacting her students’ lives far beyond her classroom.” 

The Hayward Award for Excellence in Education program was established in 1989. Award recipients, annually nominated by their college academic senate and selected by representatives of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, must have a record of outstanding performance of professional activities, as well as active participation on campus.   

Up to two full-time and two part-time faculty members may be selected each year to win the award. The Hayward Awards are supported through a grant from the Foundation for California Community Colleges. Each recipient will receive a $1,250 cash award and a commemorative plaque. The award is named in honor of Gerald C. Hayward, who served as chancellor of the California Community Colleges from 1980 to 1985. 

Dr. Leal was honored at a California Community Colleges Board of Governors meeting on March 25, 2024, in Sacramento. This is the third year in a row in which an instructor from Sierra College has been honored with this award. Dr. Leal’s recognition follows Dr. Jane Le Skaife in 2022-23, and Dr. Winsome Jackson in 2021-22. 

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.  

Brandon Johnson of Sierra College Honored as 2024 California Community College Athletic Trainer of the Year

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Brandon Johnson Headshot
Brandon Johnson, Sierra College athletic trainer and kinesiology instructor

Johnson Has Supported Sierra College Athletes for 25 Years

Sierra College is proud to announce that Brandon Johnson, athletic trainer and kinesiology instructor, has been recognized as the 2024 California Community College Athletic Trainer of the Year by the California Community College Athletic Trainers Association (CCCATA).  Brandon has supported athletes at Sierra College for 25 years as a certified athletic trainer and as president of CCCATA for three years. 

“I’m grateful to the California Community College Trainers Association for this recognition and am very fortunate to be able to continue working with such great student-athletes, coaches and staff at Sierra College,” said Johnson. 

Prior to Sierra College, Brandon worked at a high school in Phoenix, Arizona and the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York. 

“Brandon is more than deserving of this honor. We are fortunate to see his hard work and dedication every day, so it is no surprise that his peers throughout the state have also recognized his dedication to our student athletes, the 3C2A and the field of Athletic Training,” said Rachel Johnson, Dean of Kinesiology/Athletic Director at Sierra College. 

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 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