<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>Moorpark College – Amigos805.com</title> <atom:link href="https://amigos805.com/tag/moorpark-college/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link>https://amigos805.com</link> <description>Information for and about the vibrant Latino community in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties 805 region</description> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 03:21:01 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator> <item> <title>March 17 — Moorpark College to host grand opening of new Pride Center</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/march-17-moorpark-college-to-host-grand-opening-of-new-pride-center/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:43:19 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Calendar]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cultural]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Pride Center]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://amigos805.com/?p=84119</guid> <description><![CDATA[CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/march-17-moorpark-college-to-host-grand-opening-of-new-pride-center/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #993300;"><strong><em>New campus space will provide resources, support, and community for LGBTQIA+ students</em></strong></span></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05em;"><i>MOORPARK </i>— The Moorpark College community is delighted to announce the long-awaited grand opening of its Pride Center March 17. The grand opening and ribbon cutting event will take place in the Moorpark College Campus Center and adjacent Pride Center at 10 a.m. All are welcome.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Located in the Campus Center, this space was designed with significant input from students to ensure that it will be a warm and welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ individuals to thrive and be successful in their academic programs. Funded through grants from the state chancellor’s office and private organizations, the center has student computers, a small resource library, health vending machine and comfortable seating for informal gathering and MoorPride club meetings. The walls will provide a surface for student art.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“We look forward to sharing the grand opening of this affirming space with our community. We know that our LGBTQIA+ students will benefit mentally, emotionally and academically from a place to call their own,” said Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Research shows that students do better in school when they feel a sense of belonging and that on-campus pride centers are an excellent way to help LGBTQIA+ students feel welcome and valued. Access to a campus pride center is long over-due and highly anticipated since about 30% of Moorpark College students identify as LGBTQIA+, according to the college’s most recent American College Health Association National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) findings in 2022.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The grand opening marks a milestone in Moorpark College’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. To learn more about how the college is creating spaces that promote belonging and student success, <a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/">visit moorparkcollege.edu</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Moorpark College</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> <p> </p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Moorpark College Hosts Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Celebrating $250,000 Takeda Sponsorship</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-hosts-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-celebrating-250000-takeda-sponsorship/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 09 Jul 2024 18:00:23 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College Foundation]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://amigos805.com/?p=79310</guid> <description><![CDATA[MOORPARK — Moorpark College is excited to announce an unveiling ceremony and Ribbon cutting for the Moorpark College Biotechnology Analytical Lab sponsored by Takeda. This lab resides within the main biotechnology Lab. This event will take place July 19, 2024, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will include distinguished speeches by Dr. Julius Sokenu, President of Moorpark College, and Stephen Hatke, Site Head at Takeda’s Thousand Oaks facility. Additionally, attendees will hear inspiring testimonials from faculty and alumni, highlighting the transformative impact of the lab on their educational experiences. This event celebrates the generous, four-year $250,000 sponsorship from Takeda to the Moorpark College Foundation, dedicated to enhancing resources for the college’s Biotech Program Analytical Lab.<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-hosts-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-celebrating-250000-takeda-sponsorship/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #993300;"><strong><em>New Analytical Lab sponsored by Takeda helps students develop skills in Biomanufacturing</em></strong></span></p> <p><b><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/community/foundation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-79311" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image001.png" alt="" width="350" height="189" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image001.png 434w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image001-300x162.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image001-260x140.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image001-160x86.png 160w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>MOORPARK —</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Moorpark College is excited to announce an unveiling ceremony and Ribbon cutting for the Moorpark College Biotechnology Analytical Lab sponsored by Takeda. This lab resides within the main biotechnology Lab. This event will take place July 19, 2024, at 10 a.m.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The ceremony will include distinguished speeches by Dr. Julius Sokenu, President of Moorpark College, and Stephen Hatke, Site Head at Takeda’s Thousand Oaks facility. Additionally, attendees will hear inspiring testimonials from faculty and alumni, highlighting the transformative impact of the lab on their educational experiences.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">This event celebrates the generous, four-year $250,000 sponsorship from Takeda to the Moorpark College Foundation, dedicated to enhancing resources for the college’s Biotech Program Analytical Lab.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Starting this fall, Moorpark College will offer its first bachelor’s degree in a field expected to grow through the start of the next decade – <a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/news/moorpark-college-launch-bachelors-degree-applied-biomanufacturing">Applied Biomanufacturing</a>. The Analytical Lab sponsored by Takeda provides students with hands-on experiences, equipping them with the analytical and technical skills essential for success in the biotech manufacturing industry. The lab will allow students majoring in biotech manufacturing to gain the analytical and technical skills needed to thrive in the industry through hands-on experiences.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“We’re immensely proud to support Moorpark College students interested in the biotechnology field. The Moorpark College Biotechnology Analytical Lab sponsored by Takeda provides students pursuing a bachelor’s in Biomanufacturing applied knowledge across the spectrum of this industry,” said Stephen Hatke, Vice President of Manufacturing and Thousand Oaks Site Head. “Our ongoing partnership with Moorpark College exemplifies Takeda’s commitment to STEM education and the next generation of innovators who will drive progress and shape the future.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“This agreement perfectly aligns with our mission and increases the likelihood of Moorpark College becoming a destination college locally, nationally, and globally,” said Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. “Takeda is an industry leader in driving technology and devising treatments that enhance the quality of life for millions.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The Analytical Lab sponsored by Takeda will be a welcome addition to the college’s current biotech lab, where students pursuing an associate degree in biotechnology learn the tools of the trade. Takeda’s quarter-million-dollar sponsorship to the foundation will directly assist the program through the purchase of several critical laboratory instruments, scholarships and access to mentoring and internships.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“This is a win-win for Moorpark College, Takeda and Ventura County,” said Moorpark College Foundation Chief Development Officer Deborah Klein. “Our students will have opportunities to see how their studies apply to real-world scenarios, while our business community will have access to individuals eager to contribute their talents to the local and regional workforce.”<strong><em> </em></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">To learn more about Moorpark College’s Biotechnology program, visit the <a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/biotechnology">program’s webpage</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Moorpark College</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first?philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</em> <em>To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong> </strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Moorpark College Foundation</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>We serve Moorpark College and all its students by securing resources to empower our students to achieve academic, economic, and personal goals. We change lives for the better. Learn more about </em><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/community/foundation"><em>Moorpark College Foundation</em></a><em>. </em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong> </strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Takeda </strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit </em><a href="http://www.takeda.com/"><em>www.takeda.com</em></a><em>.</em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Moorpark College Advances to Top 10 in National Competition for $1 Million Prize</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-advances-to-top-10-in-national-competition-for-1-million-prize/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Wed, 12 Jun 2024 15:00:08 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://amigos805.com/?p=78736</guid> <description><![CDATA[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.<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-advances-to-top-10-in-national-competition-for-1-million-prize/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/news/moorpark-college-advances-top-10-national-competition-1-million-prize" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-73596" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png" alt="" width="350" height="273" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png 760w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-300x234.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-560x436.png 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-260x203.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-160x125.png 160w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>MOORPARK</strong> — 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.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Moorpark College was a finalist in the 2023-24 award cycle, ultimately placing third for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Julius Sokenu, President of Moorpark College, described being recognized as a finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence two years in a row.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“This recognition is an incredible honor. It’s also a testament to the work Moorpark College does each year to improve our students’ experiences and support their success. In the last year, Moorpark College has increased academic counseling support for students, enhanced programs and resources to meet the needs of disproportionately impacted student populations, and expanded our learning support services to improve student outcomes in transfer level courses. Receiving recognition for our ongoing work to ensure our students’ success is a great honor for our faculty, classified professionals, and administrators.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The Aspen Prize selection process began in the summer of 2023 when Aspen analyzed data on 1,000 community colleges in key areas such as retention, completion, and transfer. In October, Aspen invited 150 community colleges to apply based on data showing high, improving, and equitable levels of student success. The 118 submitted applications went to a selection committee of 18 higher education experts who assessed each application based on extensive data and narrative answers to questions. Following interviews with leadership teams from applicants receiving top scores, 20 semifinalists were selected and announced in May. The committee continued its review and narrowed the field to the 10 finalists. In this year’s award cycle, Moorpark College is the only California Community College that advanced as a finalist.</p> <p>“This latest recognition is a reflection of the extraordinary leadership, collaboration and innovative spirit within our college community,” said Bernardo Perez, chair of the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees. “It signifies our ongoing pursuit of excellence in providing transformational educational experiences for our students. The Board of Trustees is incredibly proud of this repeat accomplishment and are dedicated to advancing our mission of student success and equity.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Awarded every two years, the Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding performance in six critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, broad access to the college and its offerings, and equitable outcomes for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. The winner will be announced in the spring of 2025 in an award ceremony hosted in Washington, D.C.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Rick MacLennan, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District, shared his excitement, stating, “Being named a finalist for the Aspen Prize for a second time is a profound honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students. It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to excellence and equity in education. We are deeply proud for Moorpark College to be recognized among the nation’s best community colleges!”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Moorpark College eagerly awaits the next steps in the award selection process, which includes a multi-day in-person site visit to each of the 10 colleges recognized as finalists. The Aspen team will be visiting Moorpark in the Fall of 2024 to collect additional information, conduct interviews, and examine transfer, employment, and earnings data for Moorpark College graduates.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For more information about Moorpark College and our award-winning programs for students, please visit the <a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/">Moorpark College website.</a></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About Moorpark College </u></strong><br /> <em>Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first?philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em> </em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About the Aspen Institute<br /> </u></strong><em>The </em><strong><em>Aspen Institute</em></strong><em> is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit </em><a href="http://www.aspeninstitute.org/"><em>www.aspeninstitute.org</em></a><em>.</em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Feb. 22 — Moorpark College and The Colleges of Law Present How to Save Democracy with David Pepper</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/feb-22-moorpark-college-and-the-colleges-of-law-present-how-to-save-democracy-with-david-pepper/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jan 2024 19:38:08 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Government]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[How to Save Democracy with David Pepper]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Colleges of Law]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=76204</guid> <description><![CDATA[MOORPARK — Moorpark College and The Colleges of Law welcome the community to attend “How to Save Democracy with David Pepper” on Feb. 22. This special event will feature a lecture by esteemed author David Pepper on election law and voting rights. Following the lecture, Dr. Jackie Gardina, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of The Colleges of Law, will engage in a conversation and Q&A session with Pepper.<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/feb-22-moorpark-college-and-the-colleges-of-law-present-how-to-save-democracy-with-david-pepper/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/news/moorpark-college-and-colleges-law-present-how-save-democracy-david-pepper-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-73596 size-medium" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-300x234.png" alt="" width="300" height="234" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-300x234.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-560x436.png 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-260x203.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-160x125.png 160w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png 760w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>MOORPARK</strong> — Moorpark College and The Colleges of Law welcome the community to attend “How to Save Democracy with David Pepper” on Feb. 22. This special event will feature a lecture by esteemed author David Pepper on election law and voting rights. Following the lecture, Dr. Jackie Gardina, Dean and Chief Academic Officer of The Colleges of Law, will engage in a conversation and Q&A session with Pepper.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Pepper, a distinguished lawyer, writer, former elected official, and adjunct professor, served as the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party between 2015 and 2021. He earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Yale University, where he was Phi Betta Kappa, and later earned his J.D. from Yale Law School. Pepper teaches election and voting rights law as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. For more information about David Pepper, please visit <a href="http://davidpepper.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">davidpepper.com</a></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Held in the EATM Auditorium at the Moorpark College campus, doors open at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the community. Students are encouraged to attend, particularly those pursuing degrees in Law, Politics, and the Public Sector. Attendees may register for the event at <a href="https://bit.ly/MCPepper-Event">bit.ly/MCPepper-Event</a>. For event information, call (805) 553- 4760 or email <strong><a href="mailto:mcfoundation@vcccd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mcfoundation@vcccd.edu.</a></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Moorpark College — </strong>Moorpark College’s student-first philosophy embraces equity, social justice, anti-racism, and intersectionality. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to achieve their certificate, associate and baccalaureate degree, and transfer and career education goals. Through the integration of innovative instruction and holistic student support, our programs are designed to foster equitable student outcomes.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The Moorpark College Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation that accepts and solicits gifts, donations, trusts, and bequests for college-related use. It provides tax-deductible advantages to the donor. It also provides a method for the college to interact with businesses, government, and other nonprofit agencies in the broader Southern California community and provides hundreds of students with the financial assistance, recognition, and encouragement needed to realize their academic goals. To learn more, visit <a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/community/foundation">MoorparkCollege.edu</a> or follow @MCGiveBack on social media.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About The Colleges of Law — </strong>Established in 1969, The Colleges of Law (COL) was founded to expand opportunities and broaden access to legal education. COL is dedicated to a student-centered approach that affords students of diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue careers in law or legal-related fields. COL’s faculty advances a real-world perspective and practicality on the application of law and includes practicing attorneys, judges, public servants, and leaders in business and nonprofit organizations. An accredited nonprofit institution, COL offers a Juris Doctor and a Master’s in Business, Law, and Technology. Additionally, in the fall of 2018, COL became the first accredited law school in California to offer a Hybrid J.D. degree. COL is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The Juris Doctor program is accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners (CBE) of the State Bar of California. The Colleges of Law is part of The Community Solution Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.collegesoflaw.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.collegesoflaw.edu</a></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>March 23 — Ventura County Community Colleges to Host Cash 4 College Workshops</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/feb-10-24-march-9-23-ventura-county-community-colleges-to-host-cash-4-college-workshops/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jan 2024 18:37:38 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Cultural]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Government]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Oxnard College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ventura College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ventura County Community College District]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=75592</guid> <description><![CDATA[CAMARILLO — Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more. In-person workshops are scheduled for February and March. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop at any location and can drop in at any time during the events.<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/feb-10-24-march-9-23-ventura-county-community-colleges-to-host-cash-4-college-workshops/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="https://www.vcccd.edu/sites/default/files/media/document/2024/2024_c4c_calendar_release_final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-75593" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-VCCCD.png" alt="" width="350" height="371" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-VCCCD.png 406w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-VCCCD-283x300.png 283w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-VCCCD-260x275.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-VCCCD-160x169.png 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>CAMARILLO</strong> — Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more.<em><strong> </strong></em><em><strong> </strong></em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In-person workshops are scheduled for February and March. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop at any location and can drop in at any time during the events.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Bilingual financial aid staff will assist students in completing applications for the 2024-2025 school-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Students can also access information about basic needs support (food, clothing and housing assistance), tutoring, academic counseling, mental health services and other student services.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">AB 469 requires school districts to confirm seniors have completed the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application before graduating in 2024. Cash for College events can help students get ahead.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For more information, visit<a href="http://vcccd.edu/cash4college" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> vcccd.edu/cash4college</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><strong>Oxnard College</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><strong>Mar. 23</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">9 a.m.–1 p.m.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">Oxnard College Student Services Building<br /> 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard</p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">For info:<strong> </strong>Contact the Oxnard College Financial Aid Office at (805) 678-5828 or <a href="mailto:ocfinaid@vcccd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ocfinaid@vcccd.edu</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><strong> </strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><strong>Ventura College East Campus</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;"><strong>Mar. 23</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">9 a.m.–12 p.m.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">957 Faulkner Road, Unit 106, Santa Paula</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For info: Contact the Ventura College Financial Aid Office at (805) 289-6369 or <a href="mailto:vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu</a></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong> </strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Ventura County Community College District — </strong>The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 116-campus California Community College system and serves approximately 30,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges — Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura — offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.vcccd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.vcccd.edu</a></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Oct. 31 — Moorpark College Hosts Grand Opening Ceremony for New Athletics Facilities</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/oct-31-moorpark-college-hosts-grand-opening-ceremony-for-new-athletics-facilities/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jan 2024 11:29:44 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Beach Volleyball Stadium and Outdoor Training Facility]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">https://amigos805.com/?p=81355</guid> <description><![CDATA[MOORPARK — Moorpark College will celebrate the grand opening of its Beach Volleyball Stadium and Outdoor Training Facility on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 1 p.m. The ceremony will feature live demonstrations by student-athletes and distinguished speeches by Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College; Adam Black, women’s volleyball coach; and Jeff Kreil, Kinesiology faculty. The first of its kind in Ventura County, the Beach Volleyball Stadium has eight NCAA-regulation courts complete with officiating stands, stadium lighting, and an outdoor shower. <p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/oct-31-moorpark-college-hosts-grand-opening-ceremony-for-new-athletics-facilities/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_81356" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image003.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-81356" class="wp-image-81356" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image003.png" alt="" width="650" height="488" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image003.png 672w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image003-300x225.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image003-560x420.png 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image003-260x195.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image003-160x120.png 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-81356" class="wp-caption-text">Courtesy photos.</p></div> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #993300;"><strong><em>Beach Volleyball Stadium and Outdoor Training Center Expand Opportunities for Student-Athletes and Community</em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05em;"><b>MOORPARK</b> — Moorpark College will celebrate the grand opening of its Beach Volleyball Stadium and Outdoor Training Facility on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 1 p.m. The ceremony will feature live demonstrations by student-athletes and distinguished speeches by Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College; Adam Black, women’s volleyball coach; and Jeff Kreil, Kinesiology faculty.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image002-2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-81357" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image002-2.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image002-2.jpg 682w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image002-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image002-2-560x420.jpg 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image002-2-260x195.jpg 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image002-2-160x120.jpg 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>The first of its kind in Ventura County, the Beach Volleyball Stadium has eight NCAA-regulation courts complete with officiating stands, stadium lighting, and an outdoor shower.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“These state-of-the-art facilities demonstrate the college’s commitment to providing our scholar athletes and the general student population the best learning environments to pursue excellence in their sport,” said Sokenu. “These additions further the campus’ reputation as a preferred destination for academic, cultural and athletic programming.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Located adjacent to the campus parking structure and next to an open field for visiting teams to set up, the courts are easily accessible for athletic competitions and community events.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“The beach volleyball stadium will serve as the home courts for the Raiders beach volleyball team and 3C2A Beach Volleyball contest during the spring season as well as Kinesiology courses,” said Black. “Additionally, the courts may be used to host CIF competition, NCAA competition, and youth beach volleyball organizations. During the summer youth clinics will be conducted.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The Outdoor Training Facility is Moorpark College’s new open-space fitness instruction and training classroom, exclusively catering to enrolled students. This one-of-a-kind space is large enough to host up to 100 students using a variety of equipment, such as kettlebells, medicine balls, barbells, battle ropes, sandbags and tires, to name a few. Leveraging a state-of-the-art roof structure, users are unrestricted by the elements and can enjoy this classroom all year round.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“Students enrolled in the Exercise Science program use this facility to refine their skills with training individual and small-group clients, using innovative modalities for a variety of health and fitness goals, while the Moorpark College athletics programs utilize the massive space to conduct corrective and sports performance conditioning with their student-athletes,” said Kreil.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For information regarding the outdoor volleyball stadium, contact Adam Black at <a href="mailto:ablack@vcccd.edu">ablack@vcccd.edu</a> or 805-553-4623. If members of the public are interested in attending the grand opening, contact the Moorpark College Foundation at <a href="mailto:mcfoundation@vccd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mcfoundation@vccd.edu</a> or 805-553-4760.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Moorpark College</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Moorpark College’s student-first philosophy embraces equity, social justice, anti-racism, and intersectionality. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to achieve their certificate, associate and baccalaureate degree, and transfer and career education goals. Through the integration of innovative instruction and holistic student support, our programs are designed to foster equitable student outcomes. To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Moorpark College Foundation</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>We serve Moorpark College and all its students by securing resources to empower our students to achieve academic, economic, and personal goals. We change lives for the better. Learn more about </em><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/community/foundation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Moorpark College Foundation</em></a><em>. </em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Moorpark College Named 2023 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-named-2023-champion-of-higher-education-for-excellence-in-transfer/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 07 Nov 2023 21:00:45 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cultural]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=74603</guid> <description><![CDATA[MOORPARK — Moorpark College has been named a 2023 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer by The Campaign for College Opportunity (CCO). This recognition acknowledges the college’s exemplary work in advancing the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program, a vital pathway that simplifies the transfer process for students and increases student success rates. During the live honoree announcement on Nov. 1, the CCO revealed the 27 California Community Colleges and California State University campuses that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving transfer rates for students. Of the 27 institutions recognized, only 12 community colleges, including Moorpark, were acknowledged for excellence in transfer rates.<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-named-2023-champion-of-higher-education-for-excellence-in-transfer/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #993300;"><strong><i>College recognized by The Campaign for College Opportunity for Exemplary Implementation of the Associate Degree for Transfer Program</i><i> </i></strong></span></p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-73596" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png" alt="" width="350" height="273" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png 760w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-300x234.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-560x436.png 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-260x203.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-160x125.png 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>MOORPARK</strong> — Moorpark College has been named a 2023 Champion of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer by The Campaign for College Opportunity (CCO). This recognition acknowledges the college’s exemplary work in advancing the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program, a vital pathway that simplifies the transfer process for students and increases student success rates.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">During the live honoree announcement on Nov. 1, the CCO revealed the 27 California Community Colleges and California State University campuses that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving transfer rates for students. Of the 27 institutions recognized, only 12 community colleges, including Moorpark, were acknowledged for excellence in transfer rates.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“Moorpark College strives to provide our students with clear pathways to success” said Dr. Julius Sokenu, President of Moorpark College. “It is an honor to be named a 2023 Champion of Higher Education alongside other institutions who are going above and beyond in their commitment to ensuring equity in transfer. Supporting our students’ completion of ADTs is one of the ways in which we fulfill our promise to prepare our students for transfer so they can earn their degree and achieve career success.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Moorpark College consistently ranks as one of the top community colleges in the state for transfer and completion of ADTs. Additionally, 59% of students who transfer from Moorpark College earn their bachelor’s degree, a rate significantly higher than the national average of 47% completion.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">As a Hispanic Serving Institution, Moorpark College commits itself to high standards for transfer success as a part of a greater initiative to promote equity in student achievement. Hispanic students in the California Community College System have an average transfer rate of 20%, in comparison to a rate of 33% among white students. At Moorpark College, 39% of Hispanic students transfer to a university within 3 years, a metric the college aims to increase to 53% by the year 2025. The implementation of the ADT program has supported the college’s efforts to eradicate barriers to transfer for Hispanic students.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">First signed into law in 2010, the Associates Degree for Transfer Program is a joint program between the California Community Colleges and the California State University system that guarantees admission to a CSU campus for community college students that have completed the degree program requirements. Championed by The CCO for eliminating barriers to transfer, the ADT program has been instrumental in supporting students on their journey to transfer to four-year institutions. This initiative has not only made the transfer process easier for students, but has also proven effective at closing historical equity gaps in transfer for disproportionately impacted students and students of color.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The <a href="https://collegecampaign.org/events/2023-champions-of-higher-education">official award ceremony for the Champions of Higher Education for Excellence in Transfer</a> will take place on Nov. 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. For more information about Moorpark College and its commitment to excellence in education and transfer, <a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/">please visit the Moorpark College website.</a></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About Moorpark College </u></strong><br /> <em>Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first?philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><em> </em></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About The Campaign for College Opportunity</u></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>The Campaign for College Opportunity is a California non-profit research and advocacy organization focused on a single mission: to ensure all Californians have an equal opportunity to attend and succeed in college in order to build a vibrant workforce, economy and democracy. For more information, visit </em><a href="http://www.collegecampaign.org/"><em>www.CollegeCampaign.org</em></a><em>.</em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Moorpark College Joins Initiative to Increase Community College Transfer to Elite Universities</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-joins-initiative-to-increase-community-college-transfer-to-elite-universities/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 17 Oct 2023 19:00:21 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Cultural]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Transfer Scholars Network (TSN)]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=74237</guid> <description><![CDATA[MOORPARK — Moorpark College has officially joined the Transfer Scholars Network (TSN), an initiative dedicated to expanding community college student transfer to the nation’s highly selective colleges and universities.<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-joins-initiative-to-increase-community-college-transfer-to-elite-universities/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-73596" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png" alt="" width="350" height="273" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png 760w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-300x234.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-560x436.png 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-260x203.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-160x125.png 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>MOORPARK</strong> — Moorpark College has officially joined the <u>Transfer Scholars Network (TSN)</u>, an initiative dedicated to expanding community college student transfer to the nation’s highly selective colleges and universities.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Led by the <u>Aspen Institute College Excellence Program</u> with support from the <u>Jack Kent Cooke Foundation</u>, TSN facilitates direct connections between high-achieving community college students and senior admissions representatives at colleges and universities in the <u>American Talent Initiative</u>, such as Princeton University, Yale University, John Hopkins University and MIT. In the pilot of the TSN program, 20% of participating students who applied to the four-year partner universities received offers of admission, outpacing the average admission rate of 15%.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“Moorpark College is committed to maintaining our high transfer success rates and increasing transfer opportunities for our students,” said Julius Sokenu, President of Moorpark College. “Over the past five years, the college has increased its transfer rates by 22%, a trend we hope to continue by providing strategic support systems, like The Transfer Scholars Network, to our students.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Historically, community college students have faced significant challenges when aiming to transfer to any of these elite universities, many of which did not accept transfer students in the past.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“The community colleges have very distinct articulation agreements with California State Universities that ensure a student’s credits will be accepted for transfer, but with out of state and private universities, students are often apprehensive about whether their community college courses will count toward their degree” said Kellie Porto-Garcia, an Academic Counselor at Moorpark College who assists students in the University Transfer Center. “This program should alleviate some of these challenges and improve students’ chances to transfer to their dream university.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">One of the missions of The Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence, the organization behind The Transfer Scholars Network, is to close equity gaps in achievement among community college students.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“There is incredible talent within community colleges, including high-achieving students who should, based on their merits, have access and opportunity to take advantage of all that the leading colleges have to offer,” says Tania LaViolet, director at the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “We cannot have true equity in higher education if there is not a path for students across the nation to transfer from community colleges to highly selective institutions.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Moorpark College Honors Students will be participating in the program this year, with the hope of further expansion of the program in the years to come. For more information about The Moorpark College Honors Program, and updates about the Transfer Scholars Network at Moorpark College, visit <a href="https://bit.ly/MC-Honors-Program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bit.ly/MC-Honors-Program</a></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About Moorpark College </u></strong><br /> <em>Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first?philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program</u></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program supports colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy. We know it takes visionary college leaders to achieve this higher standard and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes. For more information, visit </em><a href="http://highered.aspeninstitute.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>our website</em></a><em> and follow us on </em><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/aspenhighered/?viewAsMember=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>LinkedIn</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://twitter.com/AspenHigherEd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Twitter</em></a><em>.</em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Moorpark College President Selected for Aspen Institute’s Presidents Fellowship</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-president-selected-for-aspen-institutes-presidents-fellowship/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:00:30 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Aspen Institute College Excellence Program]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=73707</guid> <description><![CDATA[MOORPARK — The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program announced (Sept. 20) that Dr. Julius Sokenu, President of Moorpark College, was selected for the inaugural class of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. This intensive leadership program focuses on developing a sustainable and comprehensive reform agenda that advances excellence and equity in student outcomes. “It is an honor to have been selected to join the admirable efforts of this collective,” said President Sokenu. “This is an opportunity for community college leaders from across the nation to share ideas, offer new perspectives, and ultimately, collaborate on our shared goal of serving our nation’s students.”<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-president-selected-for-aspen-institutes-presidents-fellowship/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/news/moorpark-college-president-selected-aspen-institutes-presidents-fellowship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-73596 alignright" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png" alt="" width="350" height="273" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png 760w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-300x234.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-560x436.png 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-260x203.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-160x125.png 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>MOORPARK</strong> — The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program announced (Sept. 20) that Dr. Julius Sokenu, President of Moorpark College, was selected for the inaugural class of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. This intensive leadership program focuses on developing a sustainable and comprehensive reform agenda that advances excellence and equity in student outcomes.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“It is an honor to have been selected to join the admirable efforts of this collective,” said President Sokenu. “This is an opportunity for community college leaders from across the nation to share ideas, offer new perspectives, and ultimately, collaborate on our shared goal of serving our nation’s students.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Selected through a competitive process, the fellows will work closely with their cohort of community college presidents and senior staff from the Aspen Institute over 12 months. The fellows will share insights and practices from their field-leading colleges and receive guidance on advancing reforms aimed at delivering excellent and equitable student outcomes.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“Scaled improvements in student outcomes at our nation’s community colleges requires excellent leadership,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “I am continually inspired and motivated by the dedication and expertise that our fellows bring to the work of advancing excellence and equity on their campuses, and I look forward to supporting them as they improve outcomes for their students.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In April of this year, Moorpark College was awarded 4<sup>th</sup> place out of thousands of community colleges for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, an award recognizing the top colleges in the nation excelling in areas of student achievement and success. All three Ventura County community colleges placed in the top 150.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“The Aspen Institute supports community colleges in our mission to provide high quality education and career opportunities for students in search of a better future for themselves and their communities. We are immensely proud that President Sokenu has been selected to join these efforts,” said Rick MacLennan, Chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For more information about the Aspen Institute, the Presidents Fellowship, and this year’s cohort of community colleges leaders, <a href="https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/presidentialfellowship/">visit the Aspen Institute’s Presidents Fellowship webpage.</a></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About Moorpark College </u></strong></p> <p>Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first?philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit <a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/">MoorparkCollege.edu</a> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About The Aspen Institute</u></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>The Aspen Institute</strong> is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program</strong> supports colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy. We know it takes visionary college leaders to achieve this higher standard and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes. For more information, visit <a href="http://highered.aspeninstitute.org/">our website</a> and follow us on<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/aspenhighered/?viewAsMember=true">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/AspenHigherEd">Twitter</a>.</p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Announcing Auditions for Moorpark College’s Summer Theatre Production of the Award-Winning Musical ‘Cabaret’</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/announcing-auditions-for-moorpark-colleges-summer-theatre-production-of-the-award-winning-musical-cabaret/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Tue, 02 May 2023 22:00:48 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=71324</guid> <description><![CDATA[Moorpark College is excited to announce auditions for its Summer Theatre Arts production of the classic musical “Cabaret.” Auditions will be May 8-10 in the Performing Arts Center on the Moorpark College campus. Dance auditions will be May 8, 3:30-6 p.m., and singing auditions will be May 9, 6-10 p.m. Final callbacks will be May 10, 6-10 p.m. Anyone interested in auditioning should wear comfortable clothing, be prepared to sing 30 bars (1 minute) of a song from a theatrical musical, preferably by the composer/lyricist team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, and be ready to read from the script. An accompanist will be present for the audition. <p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/announcing-auditions-for-moorpark-colleges-summer-theatre-production-of-the-award-winning-musical-cabaret/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_71325" style="width: 360px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/news/announcing-auditions-moorpark-colleges-summer-theatre-production-award-winning-musical-cabaret" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-71325" class="wp-image-71325" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image002-1.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="263" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image002-1.jpg 1024w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image002-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image002-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image002-1-560x420.jpg 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image002-1-260x195.jpg 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image002-1-160x120.jpg 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-71325" class="wp-caption-text">Courtesy image.</p></div> <p><strong>MOORPARK</strong> — <span class="xxcontentpasted0">Moorpark College is excited to announce auditions for its Summer Theatre Arts production of the classic musical “Cabaret.” Auditions will be May 8-10 in the Performing Arts Center on the Moorpark College campus. Dance auditions will be May 8, 3:30-6 p.m., and singing auditions will be May 9, 6-10 p.m. Final callbacks will be May 10, 6-10 p.m. </span></p> <p class="xxmsonormal"><span class="xxcontentpasted0">Anyone interested in auditioning should wear comfortable clothing, be prepared to sing 30 bars (1 minute) of a song from a theatrical musical, preferably by the composer/lyricist team of John Kander and Fred Ebb, and be ready to read from the script. An accompanist will be present for the audition.</span></p> <p class="xxmsonormal"><span class="xxcontentpasted0">Set in a nightclub in Berlin at the end of the 1920s, “Cabaret” explores the dark, heady and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. The story revolves around Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, who is immediately taken with English singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, proprietor of Cliff and Sally’s boarding house, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mild-mannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish. This powerful and darkly comic American musical explores themes of love, political intrigue and the consequences of intolerance. Musical numbers include “Willkommen,” “Cabaret,” “Don’t Tell Mama” and “Two Ladies,” to name a few.</span></p> <p class="xxmsonormal"><span class="xxcontentpasted0">“We are very excited to be bringing big musicals back to our Summer stage,” said John Loprieno, director and theatre arts faculty member. “Our Summer program has always been designed to be an on-ramp for incoming students who will be attending Moorpark College for the first time in the fall. As our Dual Enrollment efforts continue to grow throughout the community, high school students across our service area have already started to accumulate credits at our college through online offerings. This is a wonderful opportunity to have them come to our campus to experience all it has to offer.” </span></p> <p class="xxmsonormal"><span class="xxcontentpasted0">“Cabaret” runs July 20–Aug. 6, Thursdays–Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Studio Theatre in the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center. Seating is limited for these performances, and tickets can be purchased through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or online at </span><a href="http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac</a><span class="xxcontentpasted0">. Moorpark College is located at 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. </span></p> <p class="xmsonormal"><b><u>About Moorpark College</u></b></p> <p class="xmsonormal"><b><i>Moorpark College Mission</i></b></p> <p class="xmsonormal"><i>Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first?philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</i></p> <p class="xmsonormal"><i>Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 4 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit </i><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>MoorparkCollege.edu</i></a><i> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</i></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Moorpark College to Launch Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Biomanufacturing</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-to-launch-bachelors-degree-in-applied-biomanufacturing/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2023 15:00:35 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Applied Biomanufacturing]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=69686</guid> <description><![CDATA[The biotech field is expected to grow faster than average through 2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Area biotech companies report struggling to fill positions for well-trained staff on their production teams. To meet this need, Moorpark College will offer a bachelor’s degree in applied biomanufacturing, expanding on the college’s proven track record of its associate degree in biotechnology. The California Community Colleges Board of Governors granted Moorpark College official approval of the degree on Jan. 23. Students can begin the program with the fall 2024 semester. “Students who earn this degree will be well-equipped to pursue careers in the growing biotech industry,” said Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. “Moorpark College aims to provide our community with educational opportunities that lead to careers that help them build wealth — not just a living wage — and salaries that lift students out of poverty into solid middle-class professional jobs.”<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/moorpark-college-to-launch-bachelors-degree-in-applied-biomanufacturing/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a name="_Hlk98749177"></a><i>Click here to read in </i><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/news/moorpark-college-launch-bachelors-degree-applied-biomanufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><i>web</i></a><i> browser</i></p> <div id="attachment_69687" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-scaled.jpeg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-69687" class="wp-image-69687" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-scaled.jpeg" alt="" width="650" height="434" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-1024x684.jpeg 1024w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-768x513.jpeg 768w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-1536x1026.jpeg 1536w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-2048x1368.jpeg 2048w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-560x374.jpeg 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-260x174.jpeg 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-17-160x107.jpeg 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-69687" class="wp-caption-text">Moorpark College students enjoy hands-on learning in the biotech lab. Courtesy photo.</p></div> <p class="paragraph" style="text-align: left;" align="center"><span style="color: #993300;"><strong><i>Four-year degree is the first for Ventura County Community College District </i></strong></span></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>MOORPARK</strong> — The biotech field is expected to grow faster than average through 2031, according to the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/biological-technicians.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bureau of Labor Statistics</a>. Area biotech companies report struggling to fill positions for well-trained staff on their production teams. To meet this need, Moorpark College will offer a bachelor’s degree in applied biomanufacturing, expanding on the college’s proven track record of its associate degree in biotechnology.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The California Community Colleges Board of Governors granted Moorpark College official approval of the degree on Jan. 23. Students can begin the program with the fall 2024 semester.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“Students who earn this degree will be well-equipped to pursue careers in the growing biotech industry,” said Dr. Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. “Moorpark College aims to provide our community with educational opportunities that lead to careers that help them build wealth — not just a living wage — and salaries that lift students out of poverty into solid middle-class professional jobs.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Annual regional job growth in the biotech industry is estimated at 8.1%. The median annual salary comparison in Ventura/L.A. County for students with an associate degree in biotech can be as high as $52,000 and up to $84,000 with a bachelor’s degree in biomanufacturing.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The new bachelor’s degree, developed with input from key industry advisors, will help diversify the local workforce by removing barriers and offering employment opportunities for low-income and minority individuals, women and recent immigrants.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Another benefit is that students can stay within the community to earn a baccalaureate, which better prepares them for employment in the biotechnology/biomanufacturing industry in our region.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Moorpark College’s associate degree biotechnology program has already closed the equity gap between white and Latinx students and narrowed the gap for black students in comparison with other disciplines.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“The Ventura County Community College District prides itself on the work we do with our industry partners to enhance students’ futures and address workforce needs,” said Chancellor Rick McLennan. “Ventura College and Oxnard College are in the process of exploring baccalaureate programs for in-demand fields.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The newly approved program is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2021 authorization for the California Community Colleges Board of Governors to expand and extend the four-year degree pilot program indefinitely. The goal is to launch up to 30 baccalaureate degree programs annually. As of January 2023, 17 of the 116 community colleges in the state offer their students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The college plans to hold an informational event this summer to introduce the program to students and the community.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For more information about Moorpark College’s biotechnology program, visit <a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/biotechnology" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the program’s webpage.</a></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About Moorpark College</u></strong><em> — Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first?philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology, and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Feb. 25 — Free Cash 4 College Workshops Help Students Access Funds for College</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/feb-11-25-free-cash-4-college-workshops-help-students-access-funds-for-college/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:35:00 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Business]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cultural]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Cash 4 College workshops]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Oxnard College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ventura College]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=69682</guid> <description><![CDATA[Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more. In-person workshops are scheduled for Feb. 11 and 25. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop on either date and can drop in at any time during the events.<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/feb-11-25-free-cash-4-college-workshops-help-students-access-funds-for-college/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><a name="_Hlk98749177"></a><b><i>Click here to read in </i></b><a href="https://www.vcccd.edu/news/free-cash-4-college-workshops-help-students-access-funds-college" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b><i>web</i></b></a><b><i> browser.</i></b></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><a href="https://www.vcccd.edu/news/free-cash-4-college-workshops-help-students-access-funds-college" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-69683 size-full" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Feb.-11-25.png" alt="" width="246" height="300" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Feb.-11-25.png 246w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Feb.-11-25-160x195.png 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 246px) 100vw, 246px" /></a>CAMARILLO</strong> — Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In-person workshops are scheduled for Feb. 25. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop on either date and can drop in at any time during the events.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Bilingual financial aid staff will assist students in completing applications for the 2023-2024 school-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Students can also access information about basic needs support (food, clothing and housing assistance), tutoring, academic counseling, mental health services and other student services.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">AB 469 now requires school districts to confirm seniors have completed the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application before graduating in 2023. Cash for College events can help students get ahead.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For more information, visit<a href="http://vcccd.edu/cash4college"> vcccd.edu/cash4college</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Moorpark College</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Feb. 25</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Fountain Hall Atrium</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">7075 Campus Road, Moorpark</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For info: Contact the Moorpark College Financial Aid Office at (805) 378-1462 or <a href="mailto:mcfa@vcccd.edu">mcfa@vcccd.edu</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Oxnard College</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Feb. 25</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Oxnard College Student Services Building</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For info:<strong> </strong>Contact the Oxnard College Financial Aid Office at (805) 678-5828 or <a href="mailto:ocfinaid@vcccd.edu">ocfinaid@vcccd.edu</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong> </strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Ventura College East Campus</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Feb. 25</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">957 Faulkner Road, Unit 106, Santa Paula</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">For info: Contact the Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus Financial Aid Office at (805) 289-6369 or <a href="mailto:vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>About Ventura County Community College District — </strong>The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 116-campus California Community College system and serves approximately 30,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges — Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura — offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.vcccd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.vcccd.edu</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong> </strong></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Through March 25 — ‘The Tempest’ Makes Landfall at Moorpark College Theatre Arts</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/march-16-through-25-the-tempest-makes-landfall-at-moorpark-college-theatre-arts/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2023 18:35:48 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Cultural]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Tempest]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=70289</guid> <description><![CDATA[Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” arrives March 16 on the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center main stage, filled with comedy, magic, love and treachery. The student production runs through March 25 with evening performances and weekend matinees. This comedic fantasy will honor the 10-year anniversary of the Elizabethan-style set theatre arts instructor Brian Koehler designed for the productions of “Henry IV, Part I” and “Part II” in 2013. “The base design of our Shakespearean set takes inspiration from the Globe Theatre in England,” said Koehler, scenic designer of “The Tempest.” “This style of stage becomes a classic theatrical component in and of itself, with show-specific elements that largely rely on the dialogue of the production to delineate space and detail. It provides a multi-layered production experience for our students, both technicians and performers. Even with something as crazy as ‘The Tempest,’ it is about embracing the traditional structure versus hiding it," he explained. <p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/march-16-through-25-the-tempest-makes-landfall-at-moorpark-college-theatre-arts/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><a href="https://www.vcccd.edu/news/tempest-makes-landfall-moorpark-college-theatre-arts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-70290" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image-7.jpeg" alt="" width="350" height="350" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image-7.jpeg 750w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image-7-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image-7-150x150.jpeg 150w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image-7-560x560.jpeg 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image-7-260x260.jpeg 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image-7-160x160.jpeg 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>MOORPARK</strong> — Shakespeare’s <em>“The Tempest”</em> arrives March 16 on the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center main stage, filled with comedy, magic, love and treachery. The student production runs through March 25 with evening performances and weekend matinees.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">This comedic fantasy will honor the 10-year anniversary of the Elizabethan-style set theatre arts instructor Brian Koehler designed for the productions of <em>“Henry IV, Part I” and “Part II”</em> in 2013.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“The base design of our Shakespearean set takes inspiration from the Globe Theatre in England,” said Koehler, scenic designer of <em>“The Tempest.”</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“This style of stage becomes a classic theatrical component in and of itself, with show-specific elements that largely rely on the dialogue of the production to delineate space and detail. It provides a multi-layered production experience for our students, both technicians and performers. Even with something as crazy as <em>‘The Tempest,’</em> it is about embracing the traditional structure versus hiding it,” he explained.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>“The Tempest”</em> tells the story of Prospero, who uses his magic to conjure a storm and torment shipwreck survivors, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero’s servant, the half-man, half-beast Caliban, plots to rid himself of Prospero’s servitude but is thwarted by Prospero’s magical spirit-ally, Ariel. The King’s young son, Ferdinand, thought to be killed in the storm, falls in love with Prospero’s daughter, Miranda. Their celebrations are cut short when Prospero confronts his brother and reveals his identity as the usurped Duke of Milan.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">As with all Shakespearean comedies, the families are reunited, and all conflict is resolved in a highly romantic and entertaining fashion.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>“The Tempest”</em> runs March 16-18 and March 23-25 at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on March 19 and 25 on the main stage of the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center. The evening performances on March 17 and 25 will be accompanied by ASL interpreters.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or online at <a href="http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac">moorparkcollege.edu/pac</a>. Tickets are $15 for students and seniors, and $20 for adults. There is a 20% discount for purchasing tickets online in advance. Moorpark College is located at 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About Moorpark College</u></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><em>Moorpark College Mission</em></strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first?philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>April 13 — Annual VCCCD Diversity Festival Focuses on Community Wellness</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/april-10-13-annual-vcccd-diversity-festival-focuses-on-community-wellness/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2023 17:47:39 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Cultural]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Oxnard College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ventura College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD)]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Ventura County Community Foundation]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=70869</guid> <description><![CDATA[Oxnard and Ventura colleges in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, Ventura College Foundation, and other sponsors are proud to announce the 8th annual Diversity in Culture Festival, which will take place April 12-13. The festival is dedicated to promoting diversity, health, and wellness in the community and honoring civil rights advances. The festival planning committee found inspiration for this year's theme after realizing their own wellness had been neglected in the post-pandemic world. The festival activities will focus on encouraging the community to refocus and reclaim their health through diverse cultural lenses.<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/april-10-13-annual-vcccd-diversity-festival-focuses-on-community-wellness/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #993300;"><strong><em><a href="https://www.venturacollege.edu/community/diversity-in-culture/diversity-culture-festival-2023-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-70870 size-full" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-05-at-8.32.24-AM.png" alt="" width="1528" height="762" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-05-at-8.32.24-AM.png 1528w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-05-at-8.32.24-AM-300x150.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-05-at-8.32.24-AM-1024x511.png 1024w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-05-at-8.32.24-AM-768x383.png 768w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-05-at-8.32.24-AM-560x279.png 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-05-at-8.32.24-AM-260x130.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-05-at-8.32.24-AM-160x80.png 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1528px) 100vw, 1528px" /></a>The festival will also feature a celebration of civil rights icon Dolores Huerta</em> </strong></span></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05em;"><strong>VENTURA</strong> — Oxnard and Ventura colleges in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, Ventura College Foundation, and other sponsors are proud to announce the 8</span><sup style="letter-spacing: 0.05em;">th</sup><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05em;"> annual Diversity in Culture Festival, which will take place April 13. The festival is dedicated to promoting diversity, health, and wellness in the community and honoring civil rights advances.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The festival planning committee found inspiration for this year’s theme after realizing their own wellness had been neglected in the post-pandemic world. The festival activities will focus on encouraging the community to refocus and reclaim their health through diverse cultural lenses.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">A variety of workshops will promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These wellness workshops include “The Gift of Self Love and Affirmations” led by Sade Champagne, “Tai Chi for Body/Mind Health” taught by Maki Fujisaki Guelcher, “Fieldnotes on Nature/Nurture: Mindfulness, Self-Care, and Resilience” with Dr. Ali, and “Native Music and Healing” with Martin Espino. These free workshops are a unique opportunity for all in our community to cultivate hopefulness, improve body and mind health, and recharge and rejuvenate.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to wellness workshops, there will be a variety of events promoting diversity including motivational keynotes, interactive workshops, cultural performances, food vendors, and wellness services, along with a Poetry Slam at the Oxnard College Conference Center on Wednesday, April 12 at 6 p.m., which will feature performances from both students and faculty.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">One of the festival’s highlights will be an in-person celebration of Dolores Huerta, a civil rights icon and labor leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Cesar Chavez. Huerta continues to dedicate her life to fighting for the rights of marginalized communities and advocating for social justice. The Ventura County Community College District will present Ms. Huerta with a resolution honoring her for her work and dedication.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Another feature is local textile artist and natural dyer, Porfirio Gutierrez, who was born and raised in the historic Zapotec community of Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca. He will present a live demonstration of Zapotec natural dye techniques that he has dedicated his life to preserving. These techniques involve using natural materials such as plants, minerals, and insects to create dyes in a range of colors and have been used for centuries by the Zapotec people of Oaxaca.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The festival is free and open to the public. All are welcome. The events will be available online and in-person and will start Monday, April 10 and will end on Thursday, April 13. Festival information and schedule of events are listed on <a href="https://www.venturacollege.edu/community/diversity-in-culture/diversity-culture-festival-2023-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Diversity in Culture Festival webpage</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About Ventura College</u></strong><strong>?</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Ventura College, the first institution of higher education in Ventura County, has provided quality education to the community since 1925. A designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, the college enrolls over 13,000 students each semester at two campuses. VC offers over 70 disciplines of study in STEM fields, business, the arts, education, social/behavioral sciences, liberal arts, and the health sciences. Named one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, it is the largest provider of workforce participants in the county in manufacturing, automotive technology, and nursing. To learn more, visit?</em><a href="https://www.venturacollege.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>VenturaCollege.edu</em></a><em>.</em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Through Oct. 22 — Moorpark College Piques Audience Curiosity with ‘The Curious Savage’</title> <link>https://amigos805.com/oct-12-22-moorpark-college-piques-audience-curiosity-with-the-curious-savage/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[Community Contributor]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 01 Jan 2023 11:38:34 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Cultural]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Education]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Events]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Family]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Local]]></category> <category><![CDATA[News]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Youth]]></category> <category><![CDATA[Moorpark College]]></category> <category><![CDATA[The Curious Savage]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">http://amigos805.com/?p=73595</guid> <description><![CDATA[MOORPARK — The Curious Savage is coming to The Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Mainstage Oct. 12-22. This uproarious 1950s comedy set in The Cloisters Sanitorium in Massachusetts follows the story of a flamboyant widow who is forcibly admitted to the sanatorium by her greedy stepchildren when she refuses to hand over her sizable inheritance. “This play was very ahead of its time in terms of its message and structure,” said director and Theatre Arts faculty Suzanne Fagan. “It’s hysterical, and yet, by the end of the play, you’re blown away by the social commentary surrounding mental health, stigma, and family that’s been woven in throughout the story.”<p class="more-link-p"><a class="more-link" href="https://amigos805.com/oct-12-22-moorpark-college-piques-audience-curiosity-with-the-curious-savage/">Read more →</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/sites/moorparkcollege/files/media/document/2023/curious_savage_press_release_2023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-73596" src="http://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png" alt="" width="350" height="273" srcset="https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College.png 760w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-300x234.png 300w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-560x436.png 560w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-260x203.png 260w, https://amigos805.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Moorpark-College-160x125.png 160w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /></a>MOORPARK</strong><em> — The Curious Savage</em> is coming to The Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Mainstage Oct. 12-22. This uproarious 1950s comedy set in The Cloisters Sanitorium in Massachusetts follows the story of a flamboyant widow who is forcibly admitted to the sanatorium by her greedy stepchildren when she refuses to hand over her sizable inheritance.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“This play was very ahead of its time in terms of its message and structure,” said director and Theatre Arts faculty Suzanne Fagan. “It’s hysterical, and yet, by the end of the play, you’re blown away by the social commentary surrounding mental health, stigma, and family that’s been woven in throughout the story.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Junior and Sophomore Theatre Arts students Annabelle Sanders and Kourtney Westphal share the lead role of Mrs. Savage, embodying the widow with comedic prowess and maturity far beyond their years.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m normally behind the scenes as a costumer, but I wanted this opportunity to push myself as a performer to portray this over-the-top character,” said Sanders.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Pulitzer Prize winning playwright John Patrick expertly crafts a wacky yet charming world of acceptance and creativity inside the walls of the Sanitorium, leaving Mrs. Savage (and the audience) to question their perceptions of reality and normativity.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">“This show sends such a powerful and universal message,” said Westphal. “It’s an honor to be able to perform an important piece like this alongside such a talented cast and crew.”</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Performances of this thought-provoking comedy are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. October 12-21 on the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center mainstage.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Tickets are $20 ($15 for students and seniors) and can be purchased <a href="https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/theatre-arts/performing-arts-center">through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office</a>. For questions about the show or information about our Performing Arts programs, contact Moorpark College Theatre Arts Faculty Suzanne Fagan at <a href="mailto:sfagan@vcccd.edu">sfagan@vcccd.edu</a>.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong><u>About Moorpark College </u></strong></p> <p><em>Grounded in equity, social justice, and a student’s first</em><em>?</em><em>philosophy, Moorpark College values diverse communities. We empower learners from local, national, and global backgrounds to complete their degree, certificate, transfer, and career education goals. Through innovation and customized student support, our programs are designed to achieve equitable outcomes.</em></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit </em><a href="http://moorparkcollege.edu/"><em>MoorparkCollege.edu</em></a><em> or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.</em></p> ]]></content:encoded> </item> </channel> </rss>