Local news

CAMARILLO — CSU Channel Islands has been named one of the nation’s top universities for Hispanic students by BestColleges.com, an independent, research-based college-planning website for students and families, university officials reported in a media release.

The university ranked 19th on the website’s list of the “Top 50 Colleges for Hispanic Students.”

“Many Hispanic students are the first in their families to attend college, so it is important for them to choose the right school — one with a support system that will help them navigate degrees, financial aid, and their school and social obligations,” the BestColleges.com report states. “To make the transition from high school to college, many students may be looking for ‘Hispanic friendly’ schools. … Each school on our list boasts a cultural center, degree programs or scholarships dedicated to enhancing the experiences of Hispanic students.”

To compile the rankings, BestColleges.com evaluated data from the National Center for Education Statistics at U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IPEDS and College Navigator) against data from the 242 schools in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

The study then examined factors that enhance the experiences of Hispanic students, including the percentage of Hispanic students enrolled; acceptance, retention and graduation rates; tuition, financial aid and scholarship programs; and degree programs, services, and cultural resources offered for Hispanic students. Schools that excelled in all areas received the highest rankings.

The report cites universities’ Chicana/o Studies program, multicultural mission and curriculum, abundant cultural events and forums and high percentage of Hispanic students admitted, enrolled, retained and graduated among its enticements.

In 2012, CI had a Hispanic student enrollment of 37 percent.

“Our goal is to have a campus that reflects our community and empowers it to flourish through the students we educate, the people we employ, and the programs and services we offer,” CSU Channel Islands President Richard R. Rush stated in the release. “At CI, we are fortunate to have dedicated faculty, staff, students, and community partners who make this vision a reality. This recognition from BestColleges.com validates that our team efforts are working to create greater opportunities and outcomes for underserved students.”

“As a first-generation Hispanic student, I can attest to the supportive atmosphere and extensive resources that CI provides to ensure that we achieve our highest potential,” said Vanessa Bahena, CI’s student-body president. “My four years here have been eye-opening and empowering beyond my wildest dreams, enabling my transformation from an anxious first-year student to an active campus leader. CI has made a change in me, my family and my community. It is a gem of a public university that brings out the best in its students.”

On a national level, Hispanic students are the fastest-growing college-going population, officials reported. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2012, 49 percent of Hispanic high school graduates enrolled at a postsecondary public institution, surpassing white student enrollment rates for the first time. Since 1996, Hispanic enrollment in colleges and universities has increased 240 percent. With one-fourth of all U.S. public school students now identified as Hispanic, that trend is expected to grow.

However, despite such records, Latinos still lag behind other groups in completing college. In 2012, only 14.5 percent of Latinos ages 25 and older had earned a bachelor’s degree.

As a Hispanic Serving Institution focused on student success, the university offers a number of programs designed to help underserved minorities thrive in higher education, officials reported.

Through federal Title V grant-funded programs such as Projects ACCESO, ISLAS, VISTA, ASCENCION and ALAS, the university offers a range of services, including peer and faculty mentoring, focused learning communities, readiness programs, orientations, scholarships, curriculum and professional development and outreach to local schools and community colleges.

To view the rankings, visit www.bestcolleges.com.

 

VENTURA — FOOD Share — Ventura County’s Food Bank, received an $18,000 grant from Hunger Is to help solve childhood hunger in the community.

FOOD Share, a member of the Feeding America network of food banks, was nominated by the managers of select Ventura County stores to receive this grant, which was made possible by customers who contributed generously during a month-long, in-store fundraiser this spring, FOOD Share officials reported.

“We’re very grateful to receive this Hunger Is grant and the recognition of the select Ventura County location managers for our commitment to hunger relief,” said Bonnie Weigel, CEO of FOOD Share. “It is imperative that the children in our community have basic necessities like food in order to succeed, and this grant will most certainly make a difference. We thank everyone who donated to the campaign — together, we are solving hunger.”

Hunger Is, the joint charitable program of The Safeway Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) featuring Academy Award®-nominated actress and Hunger Is Ambassador Viola Davis, raised more than $4.6 million from shoppers throughout 1,300 Safeway family of stores across the nation, and through online contributions, to support eradicating childhood hunger in the United States.

To learn more about the Hunger Is campaign, visit HungerIs.org. For more information about FOOD Share, visit www.foodshare.com

 

MOORPARK — Luis Pablo Sanchez, Tim McGrath and Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh were selected finalists for the position of president by the Moorpark College President Search Committee, the Ventura County Community College District reported in a media release.

The finalists were scheduled to participate in a public forum on Dec. 1 at the college.

A final recommendation for the Moorpark College president’s position is expected to be presented to the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees in January.

Sanchez, JD, LLM, was born on Aug. 13, 1954, in Laredo, Texas, to Amador and Josefina Sanchez. He attended public schools in Texas and California, earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Los Angeles in 1976. In 1983, he earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and was admitted to the California Bar Association. While practicing commercial law, Sanchez earned a master’s degree in Business and Tax Law from McGeorge School of Law. On July 1, 2011, Sanchez assumed the duties of associate superintendent and vice president of academic affairs at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria.

McGrath has a 16-year record of success in California Community College administration. Presently, McGrath is in his sixth year as vice president of instruction at San Diego Mesa College where he oversees six schools and all instructional programs. His roles include serving as a member of the executive team, chairing or serving on all major campus planning and administrative committees, working as the accreditation liaison officer, and representing Mesa College at district administrative meetings and in the community.

Abu-Ghazaleh became president of West Los Angeles College in August 2011. He has worked in California Community Colleges for 25 years. Prior to becoming a college president, Abu-Ghazaleh served as vice chancellor of educational services and technology at the Coast Community College District and was vice president of academic affairs at Pierce College.

 

VENTURA — Children’s Therapy Network is hosting a “Thoughtful Santa®” celebration from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 at 1234 E. Main St., Ventura.

This is an opportunity for children with special needs to meet and have their picture taken with Santa in a “sensory friendly” environment, officials reported.

Staff will provide social stories and other sensory integration techniques to make the event a positive experience for all children.

“Thoughtful Santa®” is free to attend and open to all families. In order to make this a positive experience for all children, and maintain a sensory-appropriate environment, reservations are required.

Those who are interested in attending with their child must RSVP by Dec. 9 by calling 805-667-8200. Se habla español.

 

VENTURA COUNTY — As of Jan. 1, all healthcare workers in Ventura County hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, ambulances and other licensed healthcare facilities are required to receive an annual influenza immunization or wear a protective mask while in contact with patients, according to an order issued by Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Public Health Officer.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza infection affects 5 to 15 percent of the U.S. population every year, leading to an estimated 3.1 million days of hospitalization and 31.4 million outpatient visits. Influenza accounts for an estimated 36,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, 90 percent of which are people ages 65 years and older.

“Getting vaccinated is one of the most important steps healthcare personnel can take to protect their patients and themselves from the flu,” Levin stated in a media release. “Our goals are to increase the rate of influenza vaccinations of HCWs, reduce employee absenteeism during flu season and reduce the risk of HCWs transmitting influenza to their patients.”

This is the first time Ventura County has issued a mandatory flu vaccine order. The order will remain in effect throughout flu season, which generally is defined as Dec. 15 through March 31 of the following year.

Those HCWs who refuse to receive the influenza vaccination for religious or other reasons will be required to wear a face mask in patient-care areas during the influenza season. Mandatory vaccination or masking policies have been shown to increase HCW vaccination rates to above 95 percent, officials reported.

The new rule is part of a growing trend among healthcare facilities nationwide. Similar orders have been issued in 23 other California counties.

The CDC recommend a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While circulating flu viruses vary from one year to the next, the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the four main flu viruses that researchers predict will cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season.