Tag: Press Releases | Page 2

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

Posted on January 28, 2025January 28, 2025

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

Posted on October 24, 2024October 30, 2024

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 October 24, 2024October 30, 2024

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

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 Theatre Arts Department Presents: William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

Posted on October 7, 2024February 19, 2025

Live Performances from Oct. 10 – Nov. 3 in Rocklin

Sierra College Theatre Arts Department announces its fall production of the classic Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet, directed by Scott Adams.

Performance Dates and Times

Thursday, October 10 at 7:00 pm
NO SHOW Friday, October 11
Saturday, October 12 at 7:30 pm
Friday, October 25 at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 26 at 2:00pm
Sunday, October 27 at 2:00pm
Friday, November 1 at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 2 at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 3 at 2:00 pm (closing matinee)

Story

Perhaps the most famous love story ever told, Shakespeare’s tragedy of the two star-crossed lovers from opposing enemy families comes to life at Sierra College this Fall!

Romeo Juliet Actors PR — Cedar Swagerty as Romeo and Kyra Iliana Obanil as Juliet.

Mercutio (Rownin Cooper) taunts Tybalt (Braden Delgado) before they come to blows in the play Romeo and Juliet. — Mercutio (Rownin Cooper) taunts Tybalt (Braden Delgado) before they come to blows.

Purchase Tickets

Tickets are $20 general; $18 Seniors; $10 students and are available for purchase online via On the Stage at our.show/sierracollege/rj. Processing fees apply.

Tickets can also be purchased at the door one hour before curtain time in the lobby of the Dietrich Theatre.

Venue and Contact Information

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

Call (916) 660-8036 for more information. Or, visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sierracollegetheatre or Instagram at https://www.Instagram.com/sierracollegetheatrearts.

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

Posted on October 4, 2024February 19, 2025

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.”

About Sierra College Foundation

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 Natural History Museum Welcomes Laura Matzer as Director

Posted on July 17, 2024October 10, 2024

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

Posted on July 15, 2024August 27, 2024

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.

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 and Partners Lead Sierra Workforce Summit

Posted on June 27, 2024August 27, 2024

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:

Placer learners of all ages are connected to promising careers and can work or intern in their field of interest while in school.
More than 50 area employers actively engaged with local schools and business-serving organizations to anticipate and fill future workforce needs.
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.
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.
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 to Create Seamless Pathways into the Sacramento State Black Honors College

Posted on June 25, 2024July 3, 2024

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

Posted on June 12, 2024August 7, 2024

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.