Report to Board: February 2025
Black History Month
Opening Ceremonies for Black History Month will be held on Monday, February 3 in the OAB Auditorium. This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Labor & Liberation, the African American Experience.” Other events in the month of February include a Black Owned Vendor Fair, Financial Literacy Workshop, Speakers Forum with local author, David Meyers, a Black History Month Read-In, Tech and Trades workshop, Black Farmers Association workshop with a closing ceremony on February 27. All events for Black History Month are posted on a dedicated web page.
Accreditation Visit
The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Peer Review Team focused site visit is scheduled for February 19 and 20 at FCC. The team will meet with college personnel to discuss our work around professional development, student success teams, and distance education. Additionally, the site visit will include an Open Forum on Thursday, February 20 in OAB-251 at 11:00 a.m.
Extreme Registration
The Welcome Center and Outreach Department and Counseling Department assisted over 1200 new and returning students during the Extreme Registration events on January 7 and 8. This in-person event
held in the Library served the largest number of students post COVID. Students were able to access special services to complete their registration process. Services offered were:
- Express counseling to enroll in Spring 2024 classes
- Planning spring schedule and registering for classes
- Financial assistance and information regarding free tuition
Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play
What happens to pop culture after the fall of human civilization? What about 7 years after the fall? Or even 75 years? Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, seeks to find out. The production starts on February 28, with performances at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2:00 p.m. The lead, Mr. Burns, will be played by FCC English instructor and thespian Juan Luis Guzman. Performance dates, times and ticket prices are available on the Theatre Event web page.
Outside Beyond the Lens
On Wednesday, February 5, Outside Beyond the Lens Season 5 Premier Viewing will be presented in the OAB Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. This two-episode kick-off to Season 5 features cinematographers Jeff Aiello, Zack Allen, and David Boomer as they follow photographer Ryan Watamura into the Sidewinder, a low-level training route flown by high-performance fighter jets in the Sierra Nevada and deserts of Southern California. The event is free but signups are required through .
Hispanic Event
The FCC Career and Employment Center hosted a Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) virtual informational session on Wednesday, January 29. The event focused on providing students information regarding HACU’s summer paid internships. Internships are available to all students who are pursuing a degree and who will be at a sophomore or higher level by this summer. Over 100 FCC students registered for the event.
Spring Semester Exceeds Enrollment Goal
The 2025 spring semester enrollment is again robust with FCC exceeding its enrollment goal by over 3%. As of this date, more than 27,000 students are enrolled in classes across FCC’s three campuses. That number is expected to increase when the second 9-week classes begin on March 10.
New Science Building Opens for Spring
Â鶹´«Ã½ welcomed students to campus with a stunning new Science Building for the 2025 Spring semester. Construction of the $87 million project is completed. The new Science Building is 87,000 square feet and houses the following areas of study:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Engineering and Physics
Funding for the building consists of $79 million from the 2016 Measure C facilities bond, $5 million from Fresno Unified School District and $3 million from the FCC budget. The building is three levels featuring modern labs across the science disciplines. Tutoring spaces and flexible study areas located throughout
the building for students. Additionally, it is home to Design Science Middle College High School, continuing a great partnership with Fresno Unified School District. Design Science Middle College High School offers a dual enrollment program that provides students the ability to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time.
Women in Engineering Day
The annual Womenin Engineering Day is slated for February 21 and will be held in the New Science Building. Several Fresno Unified School District high schools are invited and representatives from the Chevron Corporation will present a $75,000 check to the Engineering Department. The donation will be utilized to support and promote STEM education, including hosting workshops for area high schools and specialized equipment for a Maker Space.
Trailblazer Award
On Saturday, February 1, FCC Interim President Kim Armstrong was recognized as a 2025 Trailblazer at the Trailblazer Awards Ceremony of the African American Historical and Cultural Museum of the San Joaquin
Valley. The event celebrated the significant contributions and dedication of the awardees who continue to inspire others to blaze their own trails toward success.
Cash for College
The FCC Financial Aid Department is hosting the annual Cash for College event on Saturday, February 22, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the Financial Aid Computer Lab located in the Library. Staff will assist students with 2025-2026 FAFSA applications and 2025-2026 Dream Act applications.
SLO Conference
FCC hosted the 12th Annual Student Learning Outcomes Symposium on January 24 and 25. The virtual conference was held with over 1000 participants from around the world. The theme this year was “Navigating the Challenges of Assessment: Tales from the Field,” and featured diverse breakout sessions, panel discussions, and inspiring keynote and plenary speakers.
Sports Update
Women's Soccer
Women’s soccer player Alyssa White was named as a 2024 First Team All-American and Scholar All-American by United Soccer Coaches. The women’s team finished the season ranked 11th in the country in the Junior College Division III.
Beach Volleyball
Fresno Beach Volleyball player Ashlan VanGronigen has been named by the American
Volleyball Coaches Association as a player to watch. The sophomore from Sierra Pacific High
School is a split blocker who last year placed 5th in the State Pairs Championship with teammate
Mailia Edwards, the highest finish by a freshman pair. She was also named a 2024 3C2A Women’s
Beach Volleyball Association Scholar Athlete.
Men's Golf
Sophomore golfer Chase Foster won the Point Conception Invitational Golf Championship
hosted by Ventura College on January 26 & 27. The La Purisima Golf Course is an extremely
challenging course and Chase played consistent golf to win by 3 shots.
