Glendale Community College

GCC's Black History Month: Celebrating Blackness Continues

February is Black History Month, which became a national observance in 1976. Black History Month is celebrated as an homage to the achievements of Blacks and African Americans who have shaped American history.

Events at GCC celebrating Black History Month continue with panels, professional development, student-led activities and community speakers. Go to www.glendale.edu/blackhistorymonth for details.

MLK Breakfast: In Case You Missed It

The 6th Annual MLK Breakfast event is now available online. It may be viewed at https://youtu.be/7oiQUHErpfI The event’s featured speaker was Mr. Billy "Che" Brooks and included student music performances and readings from selected texts.

Nursing Students Give Vaccinations at Hospital

GCC nursing students recently participated in vaccinating USC Verdugo Hills Hospital workers as part of their clinical hours.  The Care Extender Clinical Experience provides opportunities for nursing students to experience health care from a clinical perspective, through patient contact and collaboration with the patient care team.

Clinical nursing instructor Raul Torres spoke on behalf of his students, "we appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the fight against COVID-19.  We are grateful to USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in supporting our endeavors towards becoming future nurses. We want to thank USC Verdugo Hills Hospital for being very welcoming and making us feel like we are a part of their family."

GCC nursing students have also been helping out at the nation’s largest vaccination site at Dodger Stadium. Click this link to see one of our students interviewed on CBS2 local newscast.

While you are away...

New Welding Facility and Expanded Machine Technology Lab

The Verdugo Campus is now home to one of the best welding training facilities in the region. Work crews recently completed the conversion of the former Verdugo Fire Academy into the nearly 6,000 square foot state-of-the-art training space in the Tongva Building (formerly the Aviation/Arts Building). Taxpayer approved Measure GC funds paid for the project which allows the welding program to double its student capacity. “We now have the latest tools to train our students in a skill set that is always in demand and will only become more valuable with all the construction needed for the 2028 LA Summer Olympics,” said Mark Dieny the department chair and welding instructor. Dieny and staff are working on COVID-19 safety protocols which will allow students to gain hands-on training in a safe environment. Click here to learn more and see additional photos of the new welding facility.

Moving the welding program to the Tongva Building created room for the installation of a new machine technology laboratory in the former welding space. The new lab features industrial equipment such as milling machines, engine lathes, precision grinders, vertical and horizontal saws, and precision inspection equipment. Click here to watch a time lapse video of crews setting up the new machine tech lab.

Science Adapts to Remote Learning

Ten months after transitioning to remote instruction due to COVID-19, GCC’s Science and Biology Divisions are helping students thrive in the online environment. Several classes were well positioned for the change due to pre-existing online offerings. Following March’s stay at home orders, instructors relied on creativity, flexibility and resourcefulness to maintain an engaging educational experience. For example one instructor combined light board and Open Broadcasting Software (OBS) technology to create a virtual chalkboard that allows the students to see their instructor’s face while writing, something one normally couldn’t do when writing on a classroom whiteboard.

Biology Adapts to Remote Learning

Biology classes provided microscope kits to students to allow them to simulate and learn good lab techniques which are vital to success. Trips to LA Zoo may not be possible during the pandemic, but the use of videos and photos allows students to virtually walk through the zoo. These are just a few examples of how GCC has embraced the necessary changes during the pandemic.

Please share your “Remote and Thriving” experience at GCC to inspire your colleagues and show prospective students that GCC is “Ready and Able” to help them achieve their educational goals. Send your story to the Office of Communications at comms@glendale.edu.

PeopleSoft Gets an Upgrade

Students returning to GCC following the new year will find a new and improved experience using MyGCC. Now when they log in, they will see this new homepage:

During the holiday break, Information Technology Services upgraded PeopleSoft/Oracle Student Information System to version 9.2. The new version fundamentally changes how students use MyGCC providing a fluid self-service modernized look and feel for desktops, laptops and tablets, while incorporating mobile device technology. The enhancement provides easy use and less maintenance costs, better usage for accessibility, flexible interfacing options, long-term maintenance support, improved search functionality, and better security administration. Lastly, this 21st Century version provides a more intuitive, easy-to-use interface for Students Center, Faculty Center, Admissions & Records, Student Financials, and Financial Aid.

Remembering Andy Young

Longtime math faculty member and former Academic Senate President Andy Young passed away in his sleep January 6, 2021. Andy dedicated 25 years of his professional life to GCC earning a reputation as a beloved mentor, teacher, colleague and friend. He was quoted as saying “any day teaching calculus was a good day” and he looked forward to his classes with “enviable glee.” 

As a member of the Academic Senate, Andy championed the work of Curriculum and Instruction, Student Equity, the Committee on Distant Education, and committed himself to a fair and transparent Hiring Allocations process. He generously mentored and supported all those who individually worked on Senate and other committees, as well as within his own beloved Math Division.

In 2019 Andy was the recipient of the William Parker Award for Distinguished Service. He served as Senate President from 2014 – 2017 spending many Tuesday nights sitting on the dais during GCC Board of Trustee meetings. The Trustees adjourned their January 19, 2021 meeting in memory of Andy who is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sandra, his three grown step-children and six grandchildren.