Category: Youth

CSUCI Partnership with Brain Injury Center of Ventura County Empowers Brain Injury Survivors and Students

CAMARILLO — California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) and the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County have formed a collaborative partnership to enhance support and care for individuals affected by brain injuries. The unique collaboration has enabled the expansion of services and mission of the Brain Injury Center and has shaped the career trajectories of numerous students. 

At the core of the partnership lies a shared vision of providing comprehensive and personalized care for brain injury survivors, with a strong focus on education, rehabilitation, and seamless integration into the community. Through a collaborative approach that combines the expertise of CSUCI faculty and students with the specialized services of the Brain Injury Center, individuals impacted by brain injuries receive tailored support to address their unique needs and circumstances. 

UCSB — The Current — ‘Discoveries from Disasters: A conversation with oceanographer David Valentine’ and more news, events

The professor’s expertise drives impactful research on marine contamination and oil spills. Here he discusses his work behind the headlines, balancing science, policy and people.

Spectacular 4th Annual Hueneme Beach “Show and Shine Car Show” Fundraiser Spotlights Cars and Community to Support Local Police Explorers Program

PORT OF HUENEME — The 4th annual Hueneme Beach “Show and Shine Car Show,” held on June 10, 2024, was a special event that brought together car enthusiasts from the Central Coast to enjoy an afternoon of live music and a stunning array of more than 100 classic, modern, lowrider, and exotic cars. This free showcase of unique vehicles served to benefit the Port Hueneme Police Explorers who organized and hosted this daylong event.

United Way of Ventura County — Time to Stuff The Bus

United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign concludes on Friday, July 19th. Help us reach our goal of providing 2,000 backpacks stuffed with essential school supplies for homeless youth in Ventura County. You can help pave the path to academic success by ensuring that students start the school year with the tools they need to learn and be successful.

Bilingual report — First 5 Ventura County enrolling families with children ages newborn to 5 years for our Parent and Child Together (PACT) Classes

VENTURA COUNTY — First 5 Ventura County is currently enrolling families with children ages newborn to 5 years for our Parent and Child Together (PACT) Classes. These free, bilingual classes are 14-weeks long and provide in-person, high-quality, teacher-led educational experiences. Space is still available for classes in Moorpark, Santa Paula, and Simi Valley.

The County Of Ventura Arts And Culture Investment Fund Announces Grant Recipients

The grants support 36 Ventura County-based nonprofit arts and culture organizations and 62 independent artists who were selected through a highly competitive grant application process. Nearly 300 applications across the two groups were received during the application window. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $150,000 for the nonprofit organizations, and $1,000 – $4,000 for artists.

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation Celebrate Successful Conclusion of CASA Summer Camp Program

“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and appreciate their commitment to developing meaningful enrichment programs for local youth,” said HACSB Resident Programs Supervisor, Alice Villarreal Redit. “CASA Camp exposes Housing Authority youth to historic sites throughout the County, enabling kids to increase their knowledge of local history while engaging in fun, hands-on activities.”

Over 700 Santa Barbara County Adults and Teens Trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid Last Year

SANTA BARBARA — Family Service Agency (FSA) and Youthwell are pleased to announce that over 700 teens and adults were trained in mental health first aid practices this past year.

Many Santa Barbara County residents will benefit from the individuals who have learned how to take the first step in assisting those with mental health challenges.

“Our classes give people the tools to help start conversations when they spot warning signs of mental health risks and substance abuse,” said Lyn Shirvanian, program coordinator. “These ‘First Aiders’ play a crucial role in helping youth connect to appropriate support, which can divert a tragedy.”

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC) — Call for Fellowship Grant Applications

The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County (SJFVC) is pleased to announce we are accepting applications for our 2024 Fellowship grants. Fellowship grants are awards to emerging leaders in Ventura County who have a project impacting their communities, a passion for social justice and a financial need, which, if met, can facilitate meeting the project’s goals. Grants range from $5,000 to $13,000.

Bilingual report — Stay Cool in Oxnard During Summer Heat

OXNARD — With warm summer days ahead, the City of Oxnard encourages community members to take advantage of the many free indoor activities provided by the City’s Recreation Department to stay cool and entertained.

Visit Oxnard Public Libraries

Oxnard’s Public Libraries are the perfect spots to escape the heat. Besides a vast collection of books and reading materials, the libraries host engaging activities for all ages—children, teens, and adults alike. Discover the exciting events planned for July!

SEE MORE HERE

Southeast Ventura County YMCA Seeks School Supply Donations

WESTLAKE VILLAGE — The Southeast Ventura County YMCA is holding a school supply donation drive through July 15. Donated items will help stock backpacks of young scholars who take part in the Y’s “Find My Genius” program. The program is offered during the summer and after school to low- and moderate-income students who are not reading at grade level in the Moorpark, Las Virgenes and Simi Valley school districts.

“A backpack filled with the school supplies they need is a great way for kids to start a new school year,” says Julie Birkett, summer program director for Find My Genius.

CSUCI ranks in top 15% of Money Magazine’s ‘Best Colleges in America’

“I am extremely proud to see all of the CSU’s 23 universities on Money Magazine’s ‘Best Colleges in America’ ranking,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “While I am very pleased, I am also unsurprised, because the ranking’s criteria reflect the mission and core values of the CSU: authentic access, student success, social mobility, affordability, and preparing diverse students for a lifetime of prosperity, fulfillment and service.”

Bilingual report — City of Santa Paula Celebrates the Success of the Santa Paula Future Leaders Academy

SANTA PAULA — The City of Santa Paula is proud to announce the successful completion of the inaugural Santa Paula Future Leaders Academy, a 10-week program designed to provide residents and business owners with direct insight into city management, operations…

United Way of Ventura County’s 2024 Stuff The Bus

Over 7,500 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County. The high cost of school supplies remains a challenge to low-income families during back-to-school season. Studies show that students with barriers to school readiness have increased absenteeism, developmental delays, poor literacy, and decreased emotional well-being. As a result, students who come from low-income families are 7 times more likely to drop out of school than those from families with higher incomes. With your support, we can help increase school readiness among homeless youth in our community, increase their self-esteem, and help them stay in school. 

Summer at the Santa Paula Art Museum

Premiere Party:

“Douglas Shively and Friends”

Saturday, July 13, 2024 • 4 PM to 6 PM

$5 SPAM Members • $10 Non-members

Join us for the premiere of “Douglas Shively and Friends” at the Santa Paula Art Museum! The exhibition features over 50 original artworks by historic Santa Paula artist Douglas Shively and friends, a group of painters who epitomize the Southern California fine art scene of the 1920s and ’30s, including Jessie and Cornelis Botke, Robert Clunie, John Cotton, Lawrence Hinckley, Ralph Holmes, George Demont Otis, Paul Sample, F. Grayson Sayre, and Nell Walker Warner.

“Douglas Shively and Friends” will be on view from July 13, 2024, to November 3, 2024.

Island Packers Debuts 2024 Summer Schedule Highlighting Specialty Trips To The Channel Islands National Park & Summer Whale Watching

VENTURA — With the official beginning of Summer Solstice this month, visitors can now board an Island Packers vessel to experience cruises and specialty trips as part of the company’s full transportation schedule to the Channel Islands National Park, in addition to popular Summer whale watching. To book, visit www.islandpackers.com and visit https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/directory/island-packers/ 

Trips from Ventura Harbor are offered on select days and Island Packers, the official concessionaire to the Channel Island National Park, recommends that visitors make a reservation in advance. 

Farmworker Advocates Share a New Vision for Farming in Ventura County with Local Leaders and Stakeholders

OXNARD — On June 25, 2024, CAUSE, MICOP, and Lideres Campesinas — longtime farmworker rights organizations in Ventura County — brought local stakeholders and leaders together to release a new report, Healing Land, Collective Power, which laid out a vision for advancing farmworker-led cooperatives and land trusts in local agriculture.

The three organizations came together in 2022 to begin studying the potential to develop farmworker cooperatives in Ventura County. The multi-year research, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, included surveys and focus groups with farmworkers, interviews with alternative agriculture experts across the country, and a map of farmland ownership in Ventura County. 

Building Resilience and Inclusion Through Engagement (BRITE) in Ventura County conducting survey on new local prevention campaign

VENTURA COUNTY — Building Resilience and Inclusion Through Engagement (BRITE) in Ventura County is looking for 18-25 year olds who live in Ventura County who are interested in earning a small gift card in exchange for their feedback on a local prevention campaign!

We are accepting small groups up to 3 people at a time while supplies last!

SLO County Victim Service Organizations Applaud the Legislature’s Inclusion of One-Time Funding to Protect Victims of Crime, But Look for Long-term Solutions for Victims

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY —  Lumina Alliance, CASA of San Luis Obispo County (SLO CASA), the Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center, and San Luis Obispo Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF) are relieved that Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature have included $103 million of the $200 million needed in funding for crime victim services. In this year’s budget, programs like Lumina Alliance’s 24-hour Crisis & Information Line, SLO CASA’s advocacy services for vulnerable foster youth, and Victim Witness advocates will continue to serve residents of SLO County. However, funding remains precarious, and additional reductions will likely occur in the near future. Additionally, many competitive grants, such as those that fund SLOLAF’s Family Law Services program and SLO CASA’s grant-funded programs, will still be drastically reduced or cut entirely under the current state budget.

Port of Hueneme & City of Port Hueneme Hit a Home Run Supporting The Port Hueneme Little League

PORT OF HUENEME— The Port Hueneme Little League celebrated its closing ceremony with a grand slam, marking the end of an exciting and successful season. More than 100 residents and their families joined, at Johnson Creek Park, to cheer on their team at the championship game. In an inspirational display of skill and determination, the Port Hueneme Little League Championship game concluded with the Vanderbilt team claiming victory for the Minor/10u division and Colorado winning the Majors/12u division for the Spring 2024 Season. 

Bank of America Announces 2024 Ventura-Santa Barbara Student Leaders

“By providing career and leadership development opportunities for teens, we can help develop the next generation of skilled workforce that is essential to Ventura and Santa Barbara’s long-term economic growth,” said Midge Campbell-Thomas, president, Bank of America Ventura-Santa Barbara. “These students are truly exceptional, and the opportunity for them to work with a highly impactful local nonprofit like Habitat for Humanity along with financial education can collectively prepare them for future success.”

CLU School of Management — Upward Community Newsletter

2024 Pacific Coast Business Times Startup Village and Innovation Awards
The School of Management demonstrated a strong presence at the 2024 Pacific Coast Business Times Startup Village and Innovation Awards. On March 28, multiple SOM startups showcased their innovative businesses, including recipients of the Dorfman Incubator Grant:

Bilingual report — City of Ventura announces reopening of the Ventura Pier

“The reopening of the Ventura Pier marks a celebratory moment for our community. I am thankful for the swift, coordinated efforts of city staff, the County of Ventura, various state agencies, and our community partners like the Ventura Port District—Harbor Patrol, the Coastal Commission, State Parks, and Pier into the Future,” commented Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder. “Their hard work has ensured the pier’s safety with effective emergency responses, debris clearance, and coastal mitigation efforts and helped preserve an essential piece of our local heritage. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the community back to this cherished landmark.”

CSU Channel Islands adopts Cal-SOAP from CommUnify

… Cal-SOAP is dedicated to improving access to higher education for students from groups that are underrepresented in colleges. CommUnify has operated the Cal-SOAP program since 2011, employing local college students to work as tutors and peer mentors, providing advice and guidance to younger students.

The program also provides financial aid and college access workshops to help students and their families understand, apply, and enroll in college. Students are also able to participate in field trips to college campuses and receive tutoring services to help prepare them for college.

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Celebrates Successful Inaugural Year of ¡Listos! Smart & Ready Program and Announces Expansion Plans

Launched in response to the financial challenges faced by local families, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic, ¡Listos! Smart & Ready has empowered parents with crucial financial skills through bilingual financial literacy classes. Topics covered include budgeting, saving, and investing. In its first year, the program provided scholarship assistance to 33 families, who have benefitted greatly from the initiative. Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting significant improvements in their financial well-being.

Kim Stone to lead Montecito Rotary Club

MONTECITO — Local realtor, investor and entrepreneur Kim Stone will take over as president of the Montecito Rotary Club beginning July 1.

Stone, a long-timer Rotary member who has led multiple service projects for the organization, will succeed Tony Morris, who is stepping down from the club after a two-year term. Founded in 1953, the Rotary Club of Montecito has developed projects and provided service to the community and the wider world for more than 70 years.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Tony for his outstanding service and exceptional dedication,” Stone said. “I’m excited and honored to play a leadership role in this incredible organization, and I look forward to sharing the magic of Rotary with everyone.”

Bilingual report — Teatro de las Américas — La Fiesta de Margaret (June 29) | Prácticas Teatrales | Luchadora! CASTING CALL

Let’s Celebrate our Friend

Margaret Cortese

Historic Director of Teatro de las Américas.

The party will be held Saturday June 29 From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. At Teatro’s facilities at

321 W. 6th Street, Oxnard, CA

Please bring a dish to share

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Statement Regarding Loss of Life of Local Teen

My heart was broken to hear of the death of one of our local youth as the result of a train strike last week. This is a horrifying accident, and as a parent, it deeply pains me to imagine the grief that this young man’s loved ones are going through right now.

The County Behavioral Wellness team is offering resources and supportfor anyone who is affected by this tragedy. The Community Wellness Team can be reached at 805-364-2750.

It’s time for United Way of Ventura County’s 2024 Stuff The Bus

Over 7,500 youth have been identified as homeless in Ventura County. At United Way, our mission is to ensure youth in our community are college and career ready. Support our 2024 Stuff the Bus campaign and help us reach our goal of providing 2,000 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to local students experiencing homelessness. You can help pave the path to academic success. 

The latest news from the County of Ventura

El Rio Will Soon Have Sidewalks: Update on Agenda Item 49

The Board unanimously approved the Ventura County Public Works Agency’s plan to move forward with the El Rio Pedestrian Improvement Project.

This project will bring sidewalks to the neighborhood, making the area safer and it will improve drainage issues for the community.

PWA will award a contract this month, with construction beginning this July.

The project is expected to be completed — by March of 2025.

CLU School of Management releases short video on Watch and Explore ‘Demographic Profile of Undocumented Immigrants — Separating Myths From Realities’

The video aims to shed light on the truth about the lives of these undocumented immigrants and their communities, which have been unfairly targeted with misinformation. Understanding the demographic profiles of these communities is essential as it brings relevant issues to the forefront of our minds and helps dispel the myths spread to discredit them. We invite you to watch this informative video, which demonstrates how understanding the demographic profile of undocumented immigrants reveals their interconnectedness with Californians. Stay tuned for more insightful news and information.  

Mary Maranville Steps Down As SEEAG CEO; Caitlin Case Named Executive Director

VENTURA — Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is stepping down from the leadership role effective June 30. Maranville will become SEEAG’s major gifts grant writer. Caitlin Case, formerly SEEAG’s marketing director, has been named executive director.

Maranville started SEEAG 16 years ago. During that time, SEEAG has taught over 100,000 elementary school students in Central and Southern California about the origins of their food and healthy eating. SEEAG provides classroom learning as well as field trips to its Farm Labs at area farms. “The students I taught in 2008 are 24 years old now. My hope is, as adults, they remember their field trips and will be strong supporters of our farms and agriculture,” says Maranville.

Santa Paula Art Museum — Get to Know Two of Our Favorite Artists!

Saturday, June 22, 2024 • 12 PM to 1:15 PM

Free for everyone

Acclaimed Ventura artist and retired Ventura College art professor Hiroko Yoshimoto invites you to her free lecture on the history of Chinese characters from the Han period and how they derived from pictographs. The lecture will be hosted inside the Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center (123 N 10th Street). Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Museum of Ventura County Announces 2024 Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship Recipients and Artists & Amplifiers Fête Celebration 

VENTURA COUNTY — The Museum of Ventura County (MVC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship for the Visual Arts. This year, a total of $11,000 has been awarded to four promising art students from Ventura County. Artworks by our four finalists are currently exhibited in MVC’s Helen Yunker Alcove, on view from June 8 to October 13.

MVC’s Fine Arts Committee selected four finalists and three honorable mentions from a competitive pool of applicants. The 2024 winning finalist portfolios belong to: Emmalynn Tsai (Oak Park), Audrey Abbe (Ventura), Jami Chambers (Ventura), and Wren Stepan (Ventura). Honorable mention portfolios belong to: Angel Gabriel Garcia (Oxnard), Gabriella Mortillaro (Oak Park), and Wylde Brandt (Ventura). 

Bilingual report — Dr. Loretta Denering appointed County of Ventura Behavioral Health Director

VENTURA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors, in concurrence with the County Executive Officer and the Health Care Agency Director, has appointed Dr. Loretta Denering the new Behavioral Health Director. The appointment follows an extensive recruitment process that included both internal and external candidates and attracted more than 50 applicants.

“Dr. Denering brings a wealth of experience to the position and her extensive understanding of both the public and private sectors will continue to be an invaluable asset to the Behavioral Health Department,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, County Executive Officer. “Dr. Denering has led with vision as the Interim Behavioral Health Director, and we look forward to her continued good work. Her experience and dedication to serving the residents of our community, while navigating complex state and federal behavioral health requirements, will ensure the essential continuity of services for patients and continued excellence in care for our community.”

California Strong/Southeast Ventura County YMCA — ‘Be Like Carter’ Spring Scholarship Winners Announced

AGOURA HILLS — On May 20, three “Be Like Carter” scholarships were awarded to Agoura High School students. The scholarships are given out twice a year in memory of Carter Stone, an incoming first-year student at Agoura High who passed away in 2022 unexpectedly just before the start of the school year and after making the football team.

The scholarship winners are senior Michael Sieber, a defensive player and long-snapper for the Agoura High School football team, eleventh grader Hannah Thompson, a varsity soccer player and eleventh grader Brady Russ, a third-year varsity member of the school’s lacrosse team and team captain.

Scholarship winners are selected based on character traits they display on and off the field: work hard, be true, be humble, be kind.

Ventura County Community Foundation Power of Purpose – June 2024

Dear Ventura County Community Foundation Family,

As a longtime partner with the County of Ventura, VCCF wants to celebrate our latest collaboration to facilitate investment and technical support to our local community’s arts and culture nonprofit organizations.

These groups’ primary mission is to promote, preserve, and enrich the cultural and artistic aspects of our society. They are committed to advancing creativity, fostering cultural understanding, and contributing to the overall well-being of Ventura County residents, while offering platforms for artistic expression, innovation, and promoting a deeper understanding of our shared world.

As a result of the leadership of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors and County Executive Officer, our County has made an unprecedented investment of $1.3 million in our community’s arts and culture organizations, independent artists, and art projects. This investment led to the establishment of the Ventura County Arts and Culture Investment Fund at VCCF, and for the County to engage VCCF to manage this grant program for nonprofit organizations, with $600,000 of the overall County investment funding.

Bilingual report — REACH Fellowship in Santa Barbara Announces Summer Trips for REACH Fellows

Fellows during their Backpacking Trip, Photo Credit Rob Balloch *** Becarios durante su viaje de mochilero, Crédito de Foto Rob Balloch.

SANTA BARBARA — REACH Fellowship, a leading organization dedicated to empowering students through educational and experiential learning opportunities, is thrilled to announce their summer trips designed to inspire and educate the participants in the program, referred to as Fellows. This year, REACH Fellows will attend a variety of enriching trips, including college tours, backpacking adventures, and culminating experiential trips, both international and domestic. REACH staff carefully select these Fellows during the fall of their junior year of high school through a rigorous selection process, and each cohort is supported through the summer of their first year of college. The primary goal of the program is to support first-generation, low- to moderate-income students in Santa Barbara County. REACH is able to fund the program, these trips, and other workshops through the support of the Audacious Foundation and other generous donors. This support enables us to offer the program to students at no cost to them or their families.

Bilingual commentary — Dubious Rewards for Children

A recent report from one of our most treasured local radio stations, KCLU, describes a Ventura County Sheriff’s program that graciously rewards kids who are “caught” following safety rules or doing good deeds, such as opening doors for people. The name of the program is “Operation Chill.”

The concept is laudatory. It demonstrates to the citizenry, especially children, that our sheriffs are not interested only in arresting people who do bad things. The program teaches children that being safe and helping others is noticed by responsible adults who admire this behavior. 

The problem, however, is the nature of the “reward.” 

First District Supervisor Das Williams — County Budget Funds Bluffs Preservation, Homelessness Reduction, and More

This week the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the 2024-2025 County Budget. Due to rising costs and lingering State budget challenges, we took a tough approach this year to limit new expenditures. Despite that, this budget contains a remarkable trend against borrowing from our future. That means continuing to fund our roads to maintain the quality index, continuing homelessness reduction programs, and investing in technology and environmental preservation initiatives to move us closer to meeting climate change goals. Making progress on all of these things will take more than just a couple years of work; they require sustained efforts. Check out the video above to see some of the highlights of the Budget.

UCSB — The Current — ‘UCSB’s ÉXITO Program graduates third cohort of future ethnic studies teachers amidst rising attacks on ethnic studies’ and more news, events

Designed for highly motivated students, the first of its kind program in the UC system provides undergraduates with a clearly structured pathway to becoming credentialed K-12 teachers.  

Read more about ÉXITO

Santa Paula Art Museum — Inbox Art Exhibit: ‘From Field to Frame: The PAC6 Show How It’s Done’

On view now through Sunday, July 7, 2024

There are less than four weeks left to see “From Field to Frame: The PAC6 Show How It’s Done” at the Santa Paula Art Museum. PAC6 is a group of six women artists from Southern California who travel and paint together across the country. The artists are Linda Brown, Marian Fortunati, Nita Harper, Debra Holladay, Laura Wambsgans, and Sharon Weaver.

Ventura College Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Paramedic Studies Program

VENTURA — Ventura College is proud to announce the 25th Anniversary Reception of its esteemed Paramedic Studies Program. The event will take place on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003.

The reception will feature the presentation of Founding Member Awards to Steve Frank and Meredith Mundell, the visionary leaders who were instrumental in establishing the Paramedic Studies Program at Ventura College. Their dedication and foresight have paved the way for countless students to embark on rewarding careers in emergency medical services in Ventura County.

Following the reception, the graduation ceremony for Paramedic Class 27 will be held with keynote speaker Steve Frank addressing the graduates. This year’s class is poised to join the ranks of Ventura College alumni who have consistently demonstrated excellence in their field.

Ventura College Foundation Distributes Over $636,000 In Scholarships

VENTURA — The Ventura College Foundation presented 421 scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year totaling $636,017 during its 35th Annual Scholarship Awards ceremony, May 16, at the Ventura College Sportsplex Field.

Of the 230 scholarship recipients, many received multiple scholarships. Of the amount awarded, $583,884 went to general scholarships, $29,110 was awarded to students focusing on agriculture, advanced manufacturing, diesel mechanics or veterinary tech careers and $23,023 went to students in paramedic studies.

Continuing students received an average of $2,417 in scholarships while students transferring to four-year universities received an average of $3,557. At a minimum, each student received a $1,000 scholarship.

Moorpark College Advances to Top 10 in National Competition for $1 Million Prize

MOORPARK — Moorpark College has been named a top 10 finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Presented by The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, the $1 million award is the nation’s signature recognition of strong performance among community colleges. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

Moorpark College was a finalist in the 2023-24 award cycle, ultimately placing third for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.