Category: Education

Moorpark College and CSUCI launch new Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Programs to meet growing regional and national demand

by Community Contributor • October 14, 2026 • Comments Off

MOORPARK — Moorpark College and Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) (on Oct. 12) announced the Spring 2027 launch of two new bachelor’s degree programs in cybersecurity, marking a significant milestone in higher education for Ventura County and the broader region. The programs respond directly to an urgent national demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals—a workforce gap projected to reach hundreds of thousands of unfilled positions across the United States.

“The future of higher education depends on our ability to work together, respond to the evolving needs of our communities, and create meaningful opportunities for students,” said Dr. Rick MacLennan, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District. “This collaboration reflects what is possible when our institutions align their strengths to expand educational pathways, support regional workforce needs, and prepare students for an increasingly complex and interconnected world.”

Bilingual report — Veterans find community through noncredit art class at Allan Hancock College

by Community Contributor • October 14, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA MARIA — When Allan Hancock College Community Education introduced its new Image Transfers from Photographs course, instructor and U.S. Navy veteran Helen Boursier expected to bring together students interested in art and creativity.?

What she did not expect was that the class would become a gathering place for seven veterans representing more than six decades of combined military service.?

“I wasn’t surprised to see so many veterans in the class because I already knew several of them through the local veteran community, but I was incredibly pleased that they decided to sign up,” Boursier said. “It was especially rewarding to hear that they enjoyed the experience and wanted to know when I would be teaching the class again.”

Santa Barbara Museum of Art Exhibitions & Events Oct. 13 through 25

by Community Contributor • October 14, 2026 • Comments Off

Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a Free Family Day
Sunday, October 25
11 am – 4 pm

Explore a vibrant display of community-created altars, engage in hands-on art activities for all ages, and enjoy a festive Calenda procession featuring traditional music and dance from Oaxaca and Guerrero.
Now in its third year, the procession, produced by the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, celebrates Mexican traditions while bringing the community together in a joyful expression of remembrance, culture, and connection.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Refugee studies meets environmental justice in new special journal issue’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 13, 2026 • Comments Off

Scholar Heidi Amin-Hong explores how systems of colonialism, militarism and global capitalism create displacement and treat people and environments as disposable.

Bilingual guest contribution — 805 UNDOCUFund — Operation Safe California targets the Central Coast-100 community members disappeared in five days

by Community Contributor • October 12, 2026 • Comments Off

Thank you for standing with us during these increasingly difficult times. At 805UndocuFund, our mission has always been rooted in protecting the dignity and safety of undocumented and mixed-status families across Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Today, that work is more urgent than ever.

Central Coast United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) — Our communities, our power

by Community Contributor • October 9, 2026 • Comments Off

CENTRAL COAST — For nearly two years, immigrant communities across the Central Coast have faced kidnapping, family separation, and escalating violence at the hands of ICE. And now, as Californians begin to vote, ICE activity is surging – in an attempt to bring more fear and intimidation into our communities.

As of Tuesday afternoon, at least 32 of our neighbors in the region have been taken by ICE this week. Parents. Neighbors. Workers. Families torn apart.

But we are not powerless. We know how to respond. We know how to protect each other. We know how to organize. And we know that information is power.

Bilingual commentary — The Tragedy of Linguistic Decay

by Community Contributor • October 9, 2026 • Comments Off

At times I scan newsworthy social media notifications that appear on my phone. One thing has become abundantly clear to me: the posts I see are a window into the linguistic decay that has been settling into our American culture.

I am struck by the paucity of commentary that is written well. The overwhelming majority of the posts offer a glimpse into the atrocious grammar and spelling that are a regular feature of our national discourse. This widespread deterioration of the English language, by which we communicate with each other, raises a seriously unsettling question about our society: why have we allowed ourselves to embrace and normalize this consistently sloppy writing?

LEAP Names Juan Pimentel Chief Operating Officer and celebrates his 20 years of service

by Community Contributor • October 9, 2026 • Comments Off

GOLETA — LEAP celebrates Juan Pimentel’s 20 years of service and his new title as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner., recognizing his longstanding leadership and commitment to children, families and community.

Pimentel joined LEAP, then Isla Vista Youth Projects, in 2006 at age 19 as a Work-Study student attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, serving as a group leader in its after-school program.

TOArts expands National Geographic Live 2026–27 season beyond the stage

by Community Contributor • October 8, 2026 • Comments Off

THOUSAND OAKS — TOArts is bringing National Geographic Live back to the Bank of America Performing Arts Center for the 2026–27 season, with four acclaimed explorers whose work spans wildlife filmmaking, ecology, photography and the science of sound. This year, with support from Bank of America, TOArts is adding on to the on the onstage experience with creative programming and expanded student access designed to bring audiences even closer to the ideas, stories and people behind each presentation.

Bilingual report — County of Ventura highlights winter storm preparations, encourages residents to get ready now

by Community Contributor • October 8, 2026 • Comments Off

VENTURA — On Tuesday, October 6, the Board of Supervisors heard a report on the County’s inter-agency efforts to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño storm season. Staff from the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Fire Department, Public Works Agency, and the County’s Public Information Office shared updates on work already underway to help ensure the community is storm ready ahead of a potentially wetter winter.

Pre-season efforts are focused on reducing risk and ensuring the County is ready to respond quickly if significant storms impact local communities. Preparations include inspecting and maintaining flood-control infrastructure, clearing drainage systems and debris basins, preparing swift water rescue resources, and coordinating emergency response plans for areas at higher risk of flooding and debris flows. The County’s Public Works Agency has already removed more than 235,000 cubic yards of material from detention basins and waterways in preparation for the winter storm season.

Santa Barbara City College announces the reopening of the JSB Café

by Community Contributor • October 8, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is excited to announce that the JSB Café is now open and ready to serve students, faculty, staff, and members of the community. The cafe will once again serve as both a restaurant and a training ground for students in SBCC’s School of Culinary Arts with direction from Chef Roberto Lopez Carrillo.

“It is with great joy that we announce the reopening of the JSB Café for our campuses and the community-at-large,” shared SBCC Superintendent/President Dr. Erika Endrijonas. “The reopening marks another milestone for SBCC in the recovery from COVID-19 and adding another community resource at our Cliff Campus. Thank you to the amazing Chef Carrillo and culinary students.”

Monica Tull launches Presidio Private, a Santa Barbara-based fiduciary, to help families prepare for the ‘What Ifs’

by Community Contributor • October 8, 2026 • Comments Off

“People are usually pretty good at planning for the life they expect to have,” Tull said. “It’s the things we haven’t thought through that can leave families scrambling. I want to help people think about those situations before they happen, rather than trying to sort everything out in the middle of a crisis.”

UCSB — The Current — ‘Three UCSB researchers recognized for contributions to the earth sciences’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 8, 2026 • Comments Off

Leander Anderegg, Kelly Caylor and David Valentine are honored by the American Geophysical Union for their work.

Casa De Vida in Port Hueneme publishes latest newsletter

by Community Contributor • October 8, 2026 • Comments Off

Join us for our Annual Dinner, support our Christmas Toy Giveaway, and discover ways to volunteer

Museum of Ventura County — You’re invited to the opening reception – Jungleland, USA

by Community Contributor • October 8, 2026 • Comments Off

Jungleland, USA celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the legendary tourist attraction that put Thousand Oaks on the map. Jungleland was home to animal stars of the silver screen like Tamba the Chimp and Leo the MGM Lion, and featured animal trainer Mabel Stark.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Luis J. Rodriguez Papers at UCSB Library document life and work of the renowned author and activist’ and more news, events

by Community Contributor • October 7, 2026 • Comments Off

Now open for research, the collection provides scholars, students and community members with a rich resource for studying Chicano literature, grassroots activism and social movements.

Read more about the Luis J. Rodriguez Papers

Community Environmental Council (CEC) — Last chance: Tell CEC what matters to you. Upcoming events

by Community Contributor • October 6, 2026 • Comments Off

There’s still time to share your perspective with CEC — but our community survey is closing soon!

We’re asking Central Coast residents to share how they want to hear from CEC and what would make it easier to connect with the climate action work happening in our communities. Your feedback will help us better understand how to reach more people and create accessible pathways to get involved.

Allan Hancock College hosted Career Exploration Day for high school and college students

by Community Contributor • October 5, 2026 • Comments Off

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College invited 1,300 local high school and college students to its Santa Maria campus Oct. 2 for the college’s annual?Career?Exploration?Day.

The in-person event provided participating students with the opportunity to explore potential career paths and learn more about the college’s academic and career technical education programs.

“Career Exploration Day helps students see what’s possible beyond the classroom,” said Hancock Career Counselor David Hernandez. “By talking directly with employers and industry professionals, students can discover careers, companies and opportunities they may not have known were out there.”