Glendale Community College
Home MenuApril/May 2024 • glendale.edu/StayingConnected
President's Corner
The Spring semester is coming to an end and with it we have a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the success of our students and our colleagues. These are just a few of the many celebrations coming up in the next few weeks:
May 21: The Transfer Student Celebration will honor all of our students who have been accepted to four-year colleges and who have made us a top transfer school in Los Angeles and the state.
May 22: The Classified BBQ will provide an opportunity to celebrate the amazing work and dedication of our classified professionals.
May 23: The Veterans Club will host its annual BBQ in recognition of Memorial Day. This year’s event will include the special unveiling of a plaque honoring military veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
May 24: The Student Honors and Awards Banquet recognizes many of our excellent students at GCC.
June 12: GCC’s Commencement Ceremony returns to Wednesday evening where more than 500 students are expected to walk in the academic year’s crowning event.
Saying Farewell to our Colleagues
This year we will bid farewell to more than seventy of our colleagues who will be retiring in June or December of this year. These individuals have dedicated their lives to the service of our students and communities. Most have spent decades with GCC, building relationships and establishing the caring culture that GCC is known for. On May 20th we will celebrate these individuals as well as those receiving their milestone service awards. Please join us in the Vaquero Athletic Complex beginning at 4pm to show your appreciation for their work and connect with your colleagues as we head to the completion of the academic year.
In The Works
Congress announced on Thursday April 25th that there would be an opportunity to request congressional directed funding with one significant catch. The due date was nearly immediate set for the following Tuesday. In that time, GCC was able to produce two proposals for funding.
- The first is for our Entertainment Tech program (MOU), presented previously to the Board of Trustees September 12, 2023. The proposal to Congress asks for $1.1M to support our partnership with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) to serve as the official training site for IATSE Local 33. Students will gain skills required to work behind the line in live entertainment venues, including theaters, convention centers, outdoor venues, and any other sites that host live events. The new MOD Theatre in Sierra Nevada serves as an ideal training space for the program.
- The second funding request for $1.3M is a potential collaboration with the LA County Probation Department to create a four-year baccalaureate degree in Restorative Justice and Rehabilitation. The academic program aims for a new approach to probation that reduces recidivism and supports community re-engagement for those involved in the justice system. The program is meant to serve as an exemplar for a regional model that could be replicated across the state and nation to improve probation services and support local community safety.
We will hope for the best but the funding categories this time around are not as exactly aligned as in previous years. We received letters of support for IATSE from LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, IATSE and Glendale Mayor Elen Asatryan. For Probation, we received support from Mayor Asatryan and the Probation Chief. We will know soon whether they were selected by Congressman Schiff to move forward to the committee.
Supporting the Arts
The College’s commitment to the arts is on full display this spring with exceptional performances including the recent musical production “I Love You Because” and the upcoming “GCC Arts at Alex” (tickets) on May 15. The one night event will highlight all of our arts programs through a multitude of music, choral, and theatrical performances. We encourage you to explore the talent of our students and the faculty and staff that guide them through a multitude of live performances. Please check the VPA calendar for current and upcoming events. Also, don’t miss out on the final theatre arts production of the Tony-winning play “Peter and the Star Catcher” which reimagines the origin story of Peter Pan. Performances run through May 19 (tickets).
Cultural Awareness and Celebration
The College continues to celebrate our diverse campus community through several events in April and May for Armenian Genocide Commemoration 2024, GCC Pride Week, and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month.
- The college hosted several successful Armenian Genocide Remembrance events beginning April 11 with an Armenia folk dance workshop and closing on April 26 with an AGBU Los Angeles Choir performance for the third year in a row. The events which included multiple screenings, discussions and Armenian vendor market brought significant community representation to campus. Thank you to the Equity Office for planning these events.
- The College closed April and began May by hosting several LGBTQIA+ events in support of our students April 29 – May 3. Events were scheduled for each day that week including Prideful Conversations, Slaying with SAFA Drag Show, and Safe Zone Training. It could not have happened without the planning and support of Cultural Diversity, Multicultural & Community Engagement Center, and Student Equity.
- And Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month features a wide range of events including film screenings, special speakers and the popular Night Market on May 17 from 4pm-8pm. The 3rd annual gathering will feature food, vendors, crafts and several live dance and music performances. A very big thank you to the APIDA Planning Committee for bringing the celebration to campus.
Poet and Former GCC Professor Bart Edelman to Give Reading
Poet and retired GCC professor Bart Edelman, will give a reading from his latest book, “This Body Is Never at Rest: New and Selected Poems 1993 – 2023” on Thursday, May 23 at 12:30 p.m. in Kreider Hall. A reception will follow the reading.
Bart recalls his time at GCC fondly. “I taught at GCC for 37 years, full-time. I was happy as a lark. I taught a gamut of courses, including Humanities and several different English courses. I also helped create the Humanities/Social Science Lecture Series way back when, and published Eclipse, a national literary journal, from 2000 to 2014. We included GCC student work in addition to writers of distinction from all over the country and those who lived abroad." He continues to write and publish in literary journals and give public readings from his eight poetry books.
Men's Tennis Player Badon Wins Big
History was made at the 2024 Ojai Invitational Tennis Tournament as Glendale College Freshman Jean-Baptiste Badon not only won the CCCAA singles title but completed one of the best seasons in recent memory. He failed to drop a set in the prestigious tournament and he ended the season with a 29-2 record, his only losses coming in the fall to opponents from the University of Utah and Oregon in the 2023 Fall Intercollegiate Tennis Association/Super Bowl Tournament which he won in Georgia in order to compete against NCAA Division I competition in San Diego last October.
His win in Ojai, also considered the state tennis championships, completed a remarkable season for the 21-year-old from Sunland who won the Western State Singles Title in early April and was named the conference co-player of the year and helped lead the Vaqueros to the Southern California Regional Team Finals before they fell to the eventual state champions from Ventura College.
Badon, who has committed to transfer to Jacksonville State University in Alabama for the 2025 season, said he was grateful for his experience at GCC. "It was an adjustment being in classes and on a campus with other students since I was home schooled for most of my life," he said. "But the socialization at school and being part of the tennis team has helped me grow personally and I believe that translated into helping me play my best on the court and I'm proud of what I accomplished playing tennis for Glendale College.''
Glendale also had its top doubles advance to the finals at Ojai as the team of Lance Morgan and Adam Ridaoui fell to a team from Irvine Valley College in three tight sets, 7-5, 6-7, 7-5 for the championship.
Contributed by Sports Information Director Alex Leon
Armenian Heritage and History Month
Annual GCC Job Fair
The annual GCC Job Fair was held April 4 at the Verdugo Campus. Employers from businesses and organizations were available to provide information on employment and internship opportunities. Check out photos from the fair!
GCC's Senior Night
Also on April 4, Senior Night for local high school seniors was held showcasing college programs and services. The evening also featured music, games, student life, free food and more. Check it out here!
Pulitzer Prize Winning Speaker
The Humanities / Social Science Lecture Series welcomed Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Héctor Tobar to present his lecture, “Our Migrant Souls: Thinking About Race and ‘Latino’ Identity in the U.S.” on April 4 in the Auditorium. The evening also included a book signing of his new book: Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of "Latino." The event was sponsored by the California Community Foundation with additional support from Student Equity, GCC Hispanic Serving Initiatives, the GCC Foundation, and Student Services.
Dr. Cornner Man of the Year
Photo: (l to r: Trustee Dr. Sevan Benlian, Trustee Ann Ransford, Dr. Cornner, Lindsey Cornner, Trustee Dr. Armine Hacopian)
The Glendale Chamber of Commerce recognized GCC’s contributions to the community by naming Dr. Ryan Cornner its “Man of the Year" during this year’s State of the City and Annual Awards Luncheon.
Dr. Cornner thanked his colleagues along with Glendale residents and businesses for working together for the benefit of the entire community.
Solar Eclipse at GCC
The GCC Planetarium provided viewing glasses and other safe opportunities to experience the partial solar eclipse for students and employees on April 8.
Classified Council Picnic and Scholarship Awards
The annual Classified Council End-of-Year Picnic was held May 6 on the Culinary Arts patio. As part of the festivities, the Classified Council Student Worker Scholarship recipients were announced. They are Piunik Issakhani of SOS/Welcome Center, recommended by Yessenia Garcia and Gary Shamoyan; Laura Pasca Mendez of Facilities, recommended by Rubina Hairapetian; and Manny Vartanian of Career Services, recommended by Sharis Davoodi.
Introducing the Comms Request Form
Requests for marketing assistance can vary widely depending on a number of factors including, target audience, program needs, deadlines and budget. To ensure efficient and thoughtful strategic planning, the Office of Communications has introduced the Comms Request Form.
If you are interested in utilizing marketing or communications services, we encourage you to fill out the simple form which only takes a few minutes to complete. Some of the key questions focus on identifying the target audience, goal of message, communication channels and other pertinent information.
You can access the Comms Request Form by clicking on the request box on the GCC Comms Webpage (see below) or by going directly to glendale.edu/commsrequest. We ask that you submit your request 2-3 weeks before your target date to ensure your needs are met.
GCC In The News...
Once again, GCC is making news for running a statewide program that’s become a model for other colleges. California Corps offers college students up to $10,000 dollars a year to help with educational expenses in exchange for community service hours.
When a Sacramento based PBS station contacted Interim Program Manager Nane Kakosian to learn more about GCC’s successful program, Nane jumped at the chance. As a result, two GCC students are prominently featured in a PBS report that has played across California which you can watch here. To learn more about GCC’s College Corps Program, click here.
Chief's Safety Tips
Chief Sam provides articles on staying safe to share with the college community. Here are his tips for rattlesnake safety.
Connecting with...Nare Garibyan
Why did you choose to work at GCC?
My story at GCC began in 2000 as I attended my first college semester after high school graduation. At the time, I was also fortunate to work as a student worker in the academic counseling unit. My role allowed me to see firsthand the work of an academic counselor and how students can benefit from the consultation; I felt like GCC was my home away from home. I transferred to UCLA in 2003 to study English. A few years later, in 2011, fondly remembering my time at GCC, I returned to GCC as a counseling intern through the USC program. I just knew GCC would continue to be part of my life. After the internship, I received adjunct hours and after a few years, I became tenured counseling faculty in 2021.
Do you have a favorite memory working at GCC?
My favorite memory working at GCC so far has been my collaboration with the Freedom Writers Foundation and one of our students, Jasmine Matthews; she has since transferred to CSUN to study Creative Writing. In spring 2021, I have invited the Freedom Writers Foundation to speak with our campus community and share the mission and work of the foundation. At the time, the Freedom Writers were looking for young authors to contribute to their new book, Dear Freedom Writer: Stories of Hardship and Hope from the New Generation. Towards the end of the Zoom lecture, Jasmine expressed the challenges visually impaired students face in college; she is a blind student, a blindness caused by childhood cancer. When Erin Gruwell, the teacher and mentor of the Freedom Writers, heard Jasmine’s story in the chat, she immediately offered her the opportunity to contribute her story to the book.
What about your job makes you proud?
I am proud of my job every time I meet with a student and help each student to get closer to their authentic selves, guiding students in choosing majors, classes, volunteer opportunities, college activities that really speak to them. I am proud of how each student who leaves my office leaves with a stronger sense of self armed with good information to make well-informed decisions about their current and future steps.
Other interests, hobbies, career achievements?
I am a published author with a diverse writing portfolio. I have written articles about artists and their craft for Yerevan Magazine. I have self-published my poetry book, titled When Ruins Speak. And most recently, I self-published my first children’s book, A.Z.’s Adventures to the Sugar Tree Forest. I have many creative writing projects on the horizon.
Favorite movies/TV Shows?
One of my ultimate favorite TV shows is Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. I also loved watching the 2014-2016 Amazon series, the Musketeers. I also enjoy watching detective/mystery TV shows, such as Endeavour. I have too many favorite films to list. I also love animated films.
Favorite magazine/book?
I have many favorite authors and books in various genres, including Armenian authors, British poets, contemporary poets, and novelists. I also have a collection of children’s books and art books that inspire me. But if I had to choose a favorite book it would be William Saroyan’s My Name Is Aram.
Favorite food?
My favorite food is a traditional Armenia dish, called mante. This dish is not only delicious but connects me directly to my ancestors; a dish that would commonly be found on their dinner tables and part of our familial lineage and heritage.
Describe your perfect day off?
The perfect day off for me includes a day of reading and writing, followed by an excursion, such as visiting a beautiful park, a new city to explore, a new neighborhood to visit, a new lunch spot, or an art gallery. I would love to end the day with dinner with my family.
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