Tag: Press Releases

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

Posted on

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
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

Posted on
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.  

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

Posted on
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. 

Sierra College Hosts California State Leaders to Highlight Successful Programs, Business Partnerships that Prepare Students for Well-Paying Jobs

Posted on
Ca First Partner Siebel Newsom College Visit
First Partner of California Siebel Newsom (far left) receives a tour of the mechatronics lab at Sierra College.

Event Spotlighted Mechatronics Program, Student Innovation

On Tuesday April 2, 2024, Sierra College hosted leaders from across California to highlight the success of higher education programs that empower community members with training and access to well-paying regional jobs through business partnerships. Visitors to Sierra College included the First Partner of California Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the Governor’s Council for Career Education, which includes members from state government leadership, higher education, and the business community. 

During the visit, First Partner Siebel Newsom and members of the Council and Governor’s Office visited with students from the Sierra College Mechatronics program (created to meet regional industry needs) and experienced examples of student innovation in the Makerspace. 

“The Sierra College Mechatronics program is a great example of the commitment the Governor and I share to provide Californians with pathways to well-compensated careers so they have the resources to provide for themselves and their families,” said First Partner Siebel Newsom. “The focus on recruiting more women into STEM fields like mechatronics also furthers our goal to close the wage, wealth, and opportunity gaps by uplifting women in industries that traditionally exclude us.”

Among those speaking with the First Partner was Sara Lausmann, the Line Maintenance Manager at Bosch Semiconductors, a soon-to-be 200mm silicon carbide (SiC) Fab plant in Roseville. Prior to moving into management, Sara worked as a Line Maintenance Technician for eight years with TSI in the Dry Etch Area. During this time, she went back to school to earn a Mechatronics Certificate at Sierra College. This enabled her to build a great relationship with the Mechatronics Program and onboard many of their graduates. 

“It was a pleasure welcoming California leaders to Sierra College to see the results of the hard work of faculty, staff, and students in changing lives,” said Willy Duncan, Sierra College Superintendent/President. “Working closely with the local business community and with the support of our community and the State of California we are helping students find new opportunities.” 

Mechatronics provides life-changing career opportunities for many, and unfortunately, it is not being taken advantage of due to not enough women being aware of the potential in these industries or thinking that it may not be for them. Sierra College has increased coordinated enrollment outreach for this program so more can learn about these opportunities, see themselves here, and broaden the pipeline to success. 

Along with First Partner Siebel Newsom, visitors included the following members of the Governor’s Council for Career Education: 

  • Ben Chida, Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Office of the Governor 
  • Michael Drake, President, University of California 
  • Sonya Christian, Chancellor, California Community Colleges 
  • Kristen Soares, President, Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities 
  • Tony Thurmond, Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Department of Education 
  • Joe Stephenshaw, Director, California Department of Finance 
  • Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor and Director, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development 
  • Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO, California Chamber of Commerce 
  • Jeff Freitas, President, California Federation of Teachers 
  • Stewart Knox, Secretary, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency 
  • Josh Fryday, Chief Service Officer, California Volunteers 

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 sierracollege.edu  

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

Posted on
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 

Sierra College Theatre Arts Department Presents Guys and Dolls

Posted on

Live Performances from March 29 through April 14 in Rocklin

Sierra College Theatre Arts Department announces its spring musical production of Guys and Dolls. The book is by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, the music, and lyrics are by Frank Loesser, directed by Scott Adams, musical direction by Kim Osteen-Petreshock, orchestra coordination by Greg McLaughlin, and choreography by Pamela Lourentzos. Members of the community are invited to attend one of the nine performances from March 29 through April 14 in the Dietrich Theatre on the Sierra College campus in Rocklin.  

Performances Dates and Times:               

  • Friday, March 29 at 7:30 pm  
  • Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 pm 
  • Friday, April 5 at 7:30 pm 
  • Saturday, April 6 at 2:00 pm 
  • Sunday, April 7 at 2:00 pm (director’s discussion at 12:00pm, Q&A with cast and crew after the show) 
  • Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 pm  
  • Friday, April 12 at 7:30 pm 
  • Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 pm 
  • Sunday, April 14 at 2:00 pm (closing matinee) 

Story

Considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy, Guys and Dolls is set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City. This oddball romantic comedy tells the story of gambler, Nathan Detroit who tries to find the cash to set up the biggest dice game in town, while the cops are breathing down his neck. Meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide pressures him to get married and settle down. So, Nathan makes a sure-thing bet with the high-rolling gambler, Sky Masterson that he can’t take the do-gooder missionary, Sarah Brown to Havana, Cuba. This show includes classic hits such as “Luck Be a Lady,” “Adelaide’s Lament,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat.” 

Actor with blonde hair, red shirt, and skirt looks off, frustrated, while man in a hat and pin-stripe suit is on his knees pleading towards her.
Miss Adelaide (Carly Plageman Yorde) is finally Through with Her long-time fiancee, Nathan Detroit (Josie Morales) who promises he will change his gambling ways in “Sue Me!”
4 actors in hats and suits gather around as one actor throw dice on to the floor.
Sky Masterson rolls a bet to save his soul and win his gal!
              From Left to Right (Josie Morals as Nathan Detroit, Andrew Adams as Benny Southstreet, Johnnie Vartabedian as Nicely Nicely Johnson, and Evan Oukrop as Sky Masterson

Purchase Tickets

Tickets are $20 general admission; $15 Seniors (68+); $12 Sierra College Faculty/Staff: $10 All students and children. Tickets are available online from On the Stage at our.show/sierraguysdolls. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, but there will be a $2 walk-up fee. The box office opens one hour before curtain time in the lobby of the Dietrich Theatre.  

Venue

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

Contact (916) 660-8036 for more information.  

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 

Bobby Singh Gosal of Sierra College Recognized with Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence from ACCCA

Posted on
Bobby Gosal News
Bobby Singh Gosal, Dean of Student Services at Sierra College

Bobby Singh Gosal, Dean of Student Services at Sierra College, was recognized at the annual conference of the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) with the Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence. 

The ACCCA Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence was established in 1996 to honor an administrator or manager who has consistently shown leadership in the face of adversity, and whose commitment to professionalism in community college administration has stood out among their peers. 

During the presentation of the award at the ACCCA conference, Bobby addressed the audience and said, “Leadership is not just about navigating obstacles; at its core, it’s about fostering meaningful relationships and embodying values that uplift our students, our professional team members who are leaders in their own right, and our communities. It’s about being a mentor, a role model, a cheerleader, and a faithful supporter, guiding others toward their own paths of excellence and allowing them to become the best version of themselves, in the way they seek.”  

Nominees for the Leadership Award for Administrative Excellence should consistently demonstrate the following qualities: 

  • A high degree of applied knowledge and expertise as a community college manager or administrator; 
  • Creativity and innovation in their work; 
  • Volunteerism that benefits the college and their profession; 
  • A high level of commitment to their institution and community; and 
  • Service as a role model or a mentor. 

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 

Ridley Gallery at Sierra College Presents the Work of Vincent Pacheco

Posted on

Upstanding Citizen, Jan. 30 – Feb. 22, 2024

The Ridley Gallery is pleased to present the work of Vincent Pacheco: Upstanding Citizen.

Vincent Pacheco explores ancestral memories through an installation of hand-made piñatas. As a third-generation Mexican American caught between two worlds – an oppressed minority, and an upstanding citizen in white society – Pacheco uses this traditional craft to forge new cultural understanding. He embeds each piñata with familial memories, akin to a totem, and aims to forge new connections about his family’s crime-ridden past, his fading knowledge of ancestry, and his place in the world.  

Pacheco is a full-time faculty member in the Applied Art and Design department at Sierra College. He has exhibited his art nationally and internationally, and has recently completed artist residencies at MASS MoCA, and Verge Center for the Arts. He is the principal creative of Vincent Pacheco Design Co., a branding and illustration studio with a client list that includes Kinfolk Magazine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Elle Magazine, Disney, Hennessy, and the Nature Conservancy. 

Visitors should note this exhibition references gun violence and drugs. Please plan accordingly. 

Ridley Gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 11am – 6 pm.    

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 Hosts the 2024 Sierra Writers Conference, Feb. 5 – 15

Posted on

Focusing on Finding Family: Connecting with Your Writing Community

Sierra College Press will host the 2024 Sierra Writers Conference to support and inspire area writers and Sierra College students. Virtual and in-person workshops (Rocklin, Nevada County Campus (NCC) in Grass Valley, and Tahoe-Truckee campuses) are scheduled from February 5 – 15, focusing on various elements of storytelling, writing and community. 

“We look forward to celebrating the craft of writing and the Sierra College Press with everyone joining us,” said Lynette Vrooman, managing editor of Sierra College Press and professor of English at Sierra College. “This is a great opportunity to collaborate and learn from our incredible guest writers.”

Workshops and Sessions

Monday, February 5 

5-6:30pm – Grant Faulkner, Creativity Under Constraint (Online) 

Tuesday, February 6 

5-6:30pm – Charles Hood, Subjective Nature: Trusting Your Voice as a Nature Writer (Online) 

Wednesday, February 7 

4-5:30pm – Nikki Shannon Smith, Letting Your Inner Child Guide Your Writing (Rocklin) 

Thursday, February 8 

1:30-2:50pm – C.E. Shue, Connecting with Community Through Your Authentic Voice (Rocklin) 

5-6:30pm – Open Mic Readings: On Ugly Ducklings and Cross-Eyed Hens (Tahoe-Truckee)

Saturday, February 10  

9:30-10:45am – Obi Kaufmann, Ecological Philosophy and California’s Past and Future History (NCC) 

11am-12:20pm – Workshops (NCC):  

  • Kim Culbertson, Unlocking the Magic of 100-word Stories
  • Catharine Bramkamp, The Fictional Family
  • Gary Noy, How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal 

1:20-2:35pm – Steve Wasserman, A Writer’s Space (NCC) 

2:50-4pm – Deborah Miranda, Writing Prompts from the Ancestors: Using Archives to Create a Hybrid Memoir (NCC) 

Monday, February 12 

5pm-6:30pm – Rosanna Xia, Lessons on Climate Storytelling from an Environmental Journalist (Online) 

Tuesday, February 13 

5-6:30pm – Misha Nogha, Integrating the Narratives of Nature into Your Writing (Online) 

Wednesday, February 14 

4-5:30pm – Sands Hall, Creating Effective Characters (Fiction, Playwriting, Memoir) (NCC) 

Registration

Registration and conference information is available at: https://sierrawritersconference.wordpress.com/. 

The 2024 Sierra Writers Conference is $65 to attend the full conference for the public, $25 for online only, and free to Sierra College and OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) students and staff.  

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 https://www.sierracollege.edu 

About Sierra College Press

The Sierra College Press is one of the very few academic presses operated by a community college in the United States. The Sierra College Press was formed in 2002, and since then has expanded its role and function to become a wide-ranging academic press and information outlet. Learn more at https://www.sierracollege.edu/press.