Glendale Community College

April is California Community Colleges Month

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors has declared April as California Community Colleges Month. The BOG called on colleges and their partners to ramp up activities and strategies that are having a positive impact responding to student needs. The board is also encouraging colleges to engage with their community. GCC has events in April and beyond that bring the community to the campus. They include:

• Symphony of the Verdugos performance held Sunday, April 2
• High School Senior Night hosted by the Vaquero Success Center held Thursday, April 6
• GCC track and field annual Vaquero Invitational with 14 visiting schools held Saturday, April 8
• Earth Day Celebration Thursday, April 27
• Saturday, May 6, the Vaquero Success Center hosts the Community Open House

All areas of the campus are encouraged to hold events that bring the community to GCC.   

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

On Monday, April 24, Glendale Community College will close the district in observance of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. In 2019, lawmakers voted to change state law clearing the way for the GCC Board of Trustees to close the campus to observe the solemn day without losing state funding. This will be the first time Remembrance Day falls on a weekday. In 2021 and 2022, April 24 occurred during the weekend.
 
There are several events planned for GCC and the Glendale community in the days leading up to and following this year's Remembrance Day.  
 
Upcoming Events to Commemorate Armenian Genocide

• Saturday, April 22 12pm-5pm Hoover High School GUSD Armenian-American Heritage Month Celebration
• Monday, April 24 7pm City of Glendale’s Alex Theatre This year’s theme: “The Armenian Experience Through the Lens” celebrates the 100th anniversary of Armenian cinema. 22nd Annual Armenian Genocide Commemorative event

GCC Events

•  Wednesday, April 26 12:30pm-1:30pm SC 212, Armenian Genocide Commemoration: A Journey of Remembrance and Healing - Armenian Trivia Event
  Sponsored by ASGCC, MCEC, and Student Equity
• Friday, May 5 6-7pm Gay and Lesbian Armenian Society (GALAS) LBGTQ+ Armenian Society Discussion (SC 212) 
• Friday, May 11 7:30pm-8:30pm ABGU Los Angeles Choir and Dance (Front of Auditorium)

Dr. Ritterbrown Selected for Prestigious Aspen Institute Fellowship

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Ritterbrown, Vice President of Instructional Services, for being selected for this year's Aspen Institute’s Rising Presidents Fellowship. He is one of 35 leaders selected for the 2023-24 Fellowship class. The program, delivered in collaboration with the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative, prepares the next generation of community college presidents to transform institutions to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success. Click here to learn more about the fellowship.

Former GCC Instructor Dan Brotman Named Glendale Mayor

On April 4, Glendale city council members selected Dan Brotman as the city’s next mayor. He takes over the position from outgoing Mayor Ardy Kassakhian. This is Brotman’s first time serving in the role of mayor. He was first sworn in as a Glendale City Council Member in April 2020. Mayor Brotman moved to Glendale in 2015 to teach economics at GCC. Brotman succeeds Ardy Kassakhian who also taught at the college. Glendale's last two mayors have both taught at GCC.

GCC Partners with ASU to Simplify Transfer Pathways

GCC and Arizona State University are forging a new alliance to provide GCC students a seamless transfer experience to ASU with the MyPath2ASU program. MyPath2ASU is an innovative tool that guides GCC students from the start of their college experience all the way to their successful transfer to ASU. Find out more here.

State Lauds GCC's Faculty Diversity Internship Program

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office recognized GCC Human Resources for its efforts to promote the Faculty Diversity Internship Program at the Equal Employment Opportunity Southern California Promising Practices Showcase event on March 17. Colleges receiving recognition created Promising Practices Showcase Posters for the event which was attended by HR's Val Dantzler and Helen Galadjian. The Faculty Diversity Internship Program trains and prepares interns, interested in teaching at a community college, for future faculty employment opportunities. The intent of the program is to increase the pool of potential candidates that reflect the diversity of our student population in the local community, greater Los Angeles area, and internationally.

HR's Val Dantzler and Helen Galadjian in front of the GCC Showcase Poster.

Campus Wi-Fi Names are Changing

Wi-Fi network names are changing on campus. Students and staff will still have access to the same reliable service, just be aware the names will change beginning Monday, April 17. To get started, you will need to select the Staff GCC Wireless Wi-Fi network and enter your full email address and password to establish a connection.
 
Please note that you will need to follow this process with any devices that were connected to our previous wireless network. If you encounter any issues connecting to college network, please contact the GCC Helpdesk for assistance at helpdesk@glendale.edu.
 
Visitors to campus will continue to use "GCC Guest Wi-Fi network."

Students:
Old – GCC Secure Wireless
New - Student GCC Wireless

Employees:
Old – GCC Wireless Plus
New – Staff GCC Wireless

GCC in the Community

Glendale Kiwanis Honors Andre Manukyan and GCC CARES

Andre Manukyan, Program Manager of Student Basic Needs and the GCC Center for Assistance, Resources, and Educational Success (CARES) received the Youth Services Award from Glendale Kiwanis. GCC CARES was launched in 2020 to support students’ basic needs including food, transportation, financial literacy and provide other on- and off-campus resources. Andre is currently pursuing his doctorate at the University of Southern California, and has a master’s degree from Harvard University, a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University, and an associate’s degree from Glendale Community College.

Click here to learn more about the GCC CARES program.

GCC Featured at Glendale Latino Association Event

The Glendale College Foundation was named Organization of the Year at the 2023 Glendale Latino Association Award Luncheon and Board Installation held February 23 at Oakmont Country Club. Lisa Brooks, Executive Director of the Glendale College Foundation, and Rick Dinger, President of the Foundation Board of Directors, accepted the award. Alfred Ramirez, GCC Administrative Dean of Continuing and Community Education, was the Keynote Speaker at the event.

Budget Town Hall Available to View

GCC Superintendent/President Ryan Cornner and Interim Vice President, Administrative Services Amir Nour hosted a Budget Town Hall meeting on March 20, 2023 to:

• Provide an update on the current GCC 2022-2023 budget.
• Share an assessment of the Governor’s proposed 2023-2024 budget and its possible impact on higher education.
• Explain the status of Measure GC projects in the district.

 If you missed the Budget Town Hall, you can watch it here.

Connecting with...Armando Sanchez

Armando Sanchez is Senior IT Support Specialist in the Information Technology Services Department. He has taught self-defense, kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu classes at the college.

Why did you choose to work at GCC?
I didn’t really choose GCC, I was lucky to stumble onto this job. I was out of work and started taking classes here. I met John Davitt in my history class. We became close, I told him that I used to work in IT at the IRS and he said they just happen to need an IT person. I applied and got the job.

What about your job makes you proud?  
IT has gone through many changes. I know there was a time where IT was not a very functional department. I feel proud that with good leadership and a lot of hard work from myself and all my coworkers, I think we have been able to turn things around and make IT stand out as a department that cares about its costumer. We try our best and are always looking to improve.

Other interests, hobbies, career achievements?  
I`m not sure if people know this but I am a big-time gamer. We have started an ESPORTS program here at GCC. ESPORTS is professional gaming. I know most people know that I do martial arts. This last December I received my black belt in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu. I am super happy for that.  

Favorite food?  
My favorite food has to be hot wings. I just can’t get enough of them.