SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) is thrilled to announce that the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) has granted provisional approval for SBCC’s proposed Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (HIM). This marks a pivotal step in offering an innovative, industry-driven baccalaureate program that prepares students for leadership roles in healthcare.
SANTA BARBARA — Stop by Santa Barbara City College and join us for an important discussion on upcoming issues in the November ballot affecting the Latinx community. Santa Barbara City Council members and candidates will be on hand to answer questions and share their perspectives on key issues. This non-partisan, informational forum will feature a moderated panel discussion. Spanish translation services will be provided. Stay after the forum to enjoy lunch and connect with your community! This event is sponsored by the Latinx Mental Health Students at Antioch University Santa Barbara and Antioch Works for Democracy.
SANTA BARBARA — On Friday, Dec. 15, the most recent cohort of nursing graduates from Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) will formally complete the program with a “pinning” ceremony, earning themselves an Associate Degree in Science in Nursing (ADN). The graduates will have the distinction of completing the program having gone through real-life experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic in the medical field.
This particular cohort – made up of 18 Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) Bridge students and 20 ADN generic students – is special, according to Dept. Chair/Director, Associate Degree Nursing and ADN Program Director Mary Sullivan MSN-Ed, RNC- MNN, as they are “the last group that went through nursing school at SBCC during the full-on Covid-19 pandemic.” Curriculum for the program includes hands-on training at Cottage Hospital, where students and instructors from this cohort experienced varying degrees of challenges and stresses working in the medical field during and after the pandemic.
SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) student empowerment program ¡Raíces: First Year and Beyond! is hosting a talk with internationally acclaimed artist Manuel Unzueta on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. at the SBCC East Campus Center.
Unzueta will discuss his career as a muralist, educator, and community activist by highlighting “Metamorphosis of Reality,” the mural painted at East Campus Center with SBCC students in 1976. The event will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. outside the Campus Center near the mural. A talk with Unzueta will follow at 6:45 p.m. inside the Campus Center.
According to his longtime friend and colega, Mark Alarado, “Unzueta is a Chicano muralist, and his work spans six decades to include masterpieces that live in La Casa de La Raza, along with other works at educational institutions throughout the South Coast, the Smithsonian Institute, Paris, Mexico City and El Paso, Texas.”
SANTA BARBARA — On Tuesday, Oct. 24, Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and the SBCC Foundation will host a celebration commemorating the 50-year anniversary of its Study Abroad program, which has afforded college students the invaluable opportunity to visit and learn in countries outside of the U.S. Tuesday’s celebration is sponsored by the SBCC Foundation and will be held on the patio of the Garvin Theatre on SBCC’s West campus.
“Study abroad provides students with a unique opportunity to learn about different cultures and perspectives, to broaden their horizons, to make friends from around the world, and to enhance their intercultural competency while earning transferable credits and progressing on their academic path,” said Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, School of Extended Learning and longtime director of the Study Abroad program Carola Smith.“Students acquire important skills such as intercultural communication skills, language proficiency, adaptability and problem-solving skills.”
SANTA BARBARA — If the past two months have been especially colorful at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), it’s largely because of the newly-painted mural at the Campus Center, dedicated to Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (AAPI+) heritage in the U.S. The mural will be officially dedicated in a celebration taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 4-6 p.m. at SBCC’s East Campus – Campus Center Patio. SBCC students and staff, community members, and members of the media are invited.
SANTA BARBARA — Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) recently attained the titles of No. 1 “Best Community College Campus in California” and No. 3 “Best Online Medical Billing & Coding Certificate Program in the U.S.” in the top college rankings recently announced by Niche.com (for 2024) and OnlineU (2023).
In total, SBCC attained the following Top 10 rankings by the two college ranking surveys:
No. 1 Best Community College Campus in California – Niche.com (for 2024)
No. 3 Best Medical Billing & Coding Certificate Program in the U.S. – Online U (2023)
No. 3 Best Overall Community College in California – Niche.com (for 2024)
No. 8 Best Overall Community College in the U.S. – Niche.com (for 2024)
No. 10 Best Online Community College in California – OnlineU (2023)
Erika Endrijonas, Ph.D., began her new role as SBCC Superintendent/President on Tuesday, Aug. 1, marking her return to SBCC (she was the Dean of Career and Technical Services from 2000 to 2009). Most recently she served as Superintendent/ President of Pasadena City College since January 2019.
“My first week back at SBCC has been wonderful,” said Dr. Endrijonas. “I had my sights set on returning to SBCC for over a decade, and I am still pinching myself that my dream became a reality. I have started to meet folks here on campus — some for the first time, some I haven’t seen in 14 years — and it does feel like I have come home. I look forward to the next few weeks on campus as we launch our Fall 2023 semester and as I start to meet members of our local community who hold a special place in their hearts for SBCC.”
The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office recently announced that Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) has received an Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Innovative Best Practices Grant of $299,995. The SBCC grant is specifically earmarked for programs that disrupt institutional racism and foster equitable hiring and belongingness on campus.
The SBCC endownment is one of a number of EEO IBP grants totalling $5,651,806 to be distributed among a total of 21 California Community college districts. The funding will aid institutions that pilot or create innovative DEIA-minded practices related to EEO in the categories of pre- and post-hiring interventions as well as diversity interventions.
“I was humbled and inspired to collaborate with an amazing group of coworkers who understand the importance of approaching our DEIA work with intentionality; everyone was focused on creating and sustaining an environment where new employees and those who have been here for awhile feel welcomed as a part of this community and inspired to pay it forward and build lasting cultural change,” said SBCC Interim Vice President of Human Resources Deneatrice Lewis.
SBCC director Creative Writing, Activities Director, RISE Peer Tutor+Mentor Project, and Editor of Open Fruit, Joshua Escobar, was recently awarded the 2023 Bo Huston Prize for his works, Califorkya Voltage, XXOX FM and Bareback Nightfall. Joshua was awarded $2,000 and editorial support for one year leading to publication of an original book. The award is given annually to honor Bo Huston (1959-1993), author of four books, including The Dream Life.
Newly elected trustees Ellen Stoddard and Dr. Charlotte Gullap-Moore (pictured in center, left to right) were sworn into the SBCC Board of Trustees by their retiring predecessors, Dr. Peter Haslund and Kate Parker, at the Dec. 15 meeting of the Board. Each will serve a four-year term. Additionally, Jonathan Abboud (left) and Dr. Anna Everett (right) were elected president and vice president of the Board, respectively.
Read about the new trustees on the SBCC Board of Trustees web page.
Read the press release on the new Board appointments.
Recruitment of new Superintendent/President underway
Recruitment of SBCC’s new superintendent/president officially began on Dec. 7. For a full job description, hiring timeline and updates, visit the SBCC Superintendent/President search webpage.
Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that class registration for the Spring 2023 semester is now open to everyone in the community. Classes begin on Monday, Jan. 23. SBCC offers classes for credit for students looking to pursue an associate degree or certificate, including those needed to transfer to a four-year university. It also offers a variety of noncredit programs through its School of Extended Learning in areas including English as a Second Language, classes for older adults and career skills building.
The Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees has opened the application process for hiring the next Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Superintendent/President. Recruitment will be open through January 20 with a goal of having a new president start in summer 2023. SBCC has been led by Interim Superintendent/President Kindred Murillo, Ed.D. since September 2021.
Santa Barbara City College’s School of Extended Learning is known throughout the region for its wide variety of programs, many designed to help create a sense of community among students while also providing opportunities for personal or professional growth. Since 2019, one particular community has been served through a unique photography course taught by veterans, for veterans. Now, the college is inviting first responders or retired first responders to enroll in the free course beginning in January 2023. The community and anyone interested in learning more about the class are invited to a photography showcase and open house at the college’s Wake Campus on Thursday, November 10, to view work from this semester’s students and talk with instructors about the experience.
The Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees is seeking community members to serve on a Screening Committee for the hiring of its new Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Superintendent/President. The Board is seeking two (2) volunteers to represent the community-at-large. Volunteers should have an interest in and/or knowledge of higher education.
The Board is expected to interview community members during a special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 4-6 p.m. and appoint them at their meeting on Nov. 10. The Screening Committee will be responsible for reviewing applications and interviewing potential candidates for the Superintendent/President position. The committee will recommend finalists to the Board for its review and final candidate selection.
In 2021, SBCC composition and creative writing instructor Emma Trelles was named Poet Laureate for the City of Santa Barbara. This year, Trelles was selected as one of 22 poets in the United States to be recognized by the Academy of American Poets with a prestigious Poet Laureate Fellowship. As a Poet Laureate Fellow, Trelles will receive a $50,000 stipend to support her public work and craft.
Read the story in Noozhawk.
On Friday evening, June 24, at the Wake Campus auditorium and garden, SBCC School of Extended Learning hosted a triumphant group of 29 adult students celebrating a life-changing milestone. In all, 36 students graduated from the Adult High School, GED and Bilingual GED programs this year. The graduates were welcomed and celebrated by the SBCC and School of Extended Learning leadership team and a full house of proud family and friends, followed by an outdoor dinner and dessert. The ceremony was also available by private Zoom link to the grads, family and friends who could not attend in person.
The Santa Barbara City College Foundation hosted nearly 300 guests at its Spring Forward! Gala on the Great Meadow of the West Campus, raising more than $450,000. The Foundation provides more than $5 million annually to support SBCC students with scholarships and emergency grants. Read the article and see more photos in the Montecito Journal.
At their meeting on June 16, the Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees announced that LaDeane Hansten has been selected to serve as the new Director of Athletics. She is scheduled to begin July 1.
Hansten comes to SBCC after a lifetime of coaching and teaching, most recently as the athletic director at Columbia College in Sonora, California. There, she served seven years in the Health and Human Performance department, focusing on adapted physical education. She was also a member of the Columbia College Academic Senate, where she valued the shared governance system and being a part of transformational change on campus.
At their meeting on June 16, the Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees announced that María L. Villagómez has been selected to serve as the new Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Paloma Arnold has been selected as the new Vice President of Student Affairs.
After a competitive screening and interview process for both positions, Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Kindred Murillo shared the news with SBCC faculty and staff, saying, “As we transition from an executive vice president structure to having two vice presidents – one over academic affairs and the other over student affairs – we are so pleased that María, a recognized leader and innovator with over 28 years of leadership experience, and Paloma, who has worked at SBCC for more than 20 years and led a variety of student services over the years, will work closely together in ways that will best serve our students.
The Scheinfeld New Venture Challenge business plan and pitch competition returned for its 12th season on Friday, April 29, showcasing some of our region’s most exciting and innovative college and high school student entrepreneurs. The event was live-streamed on YouTube, and videos from the college and high school competitions can be viewed on the Scheinfeld New Venture Challenge website.
Students from Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) kicked off the collegiate tier of the event, followed by the high school tier, which featured students from San Marcos High School, Anacapa School, Santa Barbara High School and Cabrillo High School. The aspiring entrepreneurs competed for over $15,000 in cash awards and startup support.
The Santa Barbara City College Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation has announced the lineup of judges who will decide the fortunes of the finalists in the 12th Annual Scheinfeld New Venture Challenge (NVC) business plan and pitch competition to be live-streamed on April 29, 2022. College and high school finalists from Santa Barbara County will compete for their chance at receiving over $15,000 in start-up cash and in-kind startup support.
The Scheinfeld NVC is divided into two tiers: Tier One for high school students and Tier Two for college students. Independent judges will select up to 10 finalists from each tier based on their business plan submissions, and each finalist will then pitch their concept at the virtual Scheinfeld NVC pitch competition. Prosperous entrepreneurs, angel investors and c-suite executives will select the top three winners in each tier.
Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that registration for summer 2022 is now open to everyone in the community. Whether looking to earn a certificate, an associate degree or transfer to a four-year university — or enroll in the School of Extended Learning for life-enhancement classes, career-skills training, a high school diploma or GED — SBCC is ready to help you achieve your goals.
Two six-week sessions are offered, starting May 16 and June 27.
Interim Director of Admissions & Records and Dual Enrollment Angelica Contreras received this year’s Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award for her commitment to students and her ability to lead with compassion, professionalism and courage. Known for fostering cooperation and collaborations, she ensures that everyone involved is included and heard. “Leadership is who she is, in all she does,” said one of her colleagues.
Spring semester on campus got off to something of a quiet start, with classes remaining online for the first five weeks. On Feb. 22, however, all that changed as in-person classes and services made a comeback. Tracy Lehr of KEYT-TV came to main campus to interview students, who expressed their pleasure that they could meet their instructors and other students face-to-face again. View the broadcast here.
The Santa Barbara City College District (SBCCD) Board of Trustees seeks the public’s input as it moves forward with a process to evaluate and adjust the boundaries of the seven trustee areas of the district, a process known as redistricting. Read the press releaseand visit the Redistricting webpage.
The Santa Barbara City College District (SBCCD) Board of Trustees seeks the public’s input as it moves forward with a process to evaluate and adjust the boundaries of the seven trustee areas of the district, a process known as redistricting. Redistricting is required following the release of data from each United States census, conducted every 10 years.
SBCCD has contracted the services of Cooperative Strategies to assist it with this process. Based on their analysis, it has been determined that the boundaries need to be adjusted due to substantial changes in population growth in the areas served by Santa Barbara City College.
Due to the ongoing surge of COVID-19 and high community infection rate, SBCC has determined it is in the best interest of students, employees and the community to shift most classes and services to remote/online through Thursday, Feb. 17. In-person classes and services are currently scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
Exceptions will be those classes that require hands-on instruction. Read the full press release for details concerning daily health screenings, vaccination status, mask requirements and testing.
Given the changing conditions currently surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone is urged to regularly check the “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for the SBCC Community” webpage for updates.
Due to the ongoing surge of COVID-19 and high community infection rate, Santa Barbara City College has determined it is in the best interest of SBCC students, employees and the community to shift most SBCC classes and services to remote/online through Thursday, Feb. 17. In-person classes and services are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
In honor of Black History Month, SBCC Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Kindred Murillo invites the community to a virtual event, Feb. 28, 12:30-1:30 p.m., when Dr. Helen Benjamin and Rev. Larry D. Smith discuss the new book “How We Got Over: Growing Up in the Segregated South.” Edited by Dr. Benjamin and 23 of her fellow graduates of Peabody High School Class of 1968, the book is a series of vignettes capturing the Black experience of childhood and teen years in mid-20th century Alexandria, Louisiana and the surrounding areas. The stories told reflect the different life experiences of the 24 graduates living with the racial, social, and economic injustices present in an entrenched Jim Crow society of the 50s and 60s.
“Back to school” season will be here soon and Santa Barbara City College wants to help students get back to school no matter what their reasons have been for stopping.
On Friday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., SBCC will host Re-Enrollment Day on the East Campus Student Services building patio, where returning students will receive one-on-one assistance for enrolling in the Fall 2022 semester. Staff from various student services departments will be on hand to provide information and guidance, including enrollment services, financial aid, academic counseling, the transcript evaluation office, the SBCC Promise program, the University Transfer Center and others.
Since last August, approximately 1,800 Santa Barbara City College students have received a form of debt relief, and an opportunity to pursue and complete their educational goals, thanks to SBCC’s Fresh Start Initiative and the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
HEERF funds were allocated to institutions to support students with immediate needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One way that SBCC met those needs was by creating the Fresh Start Initiative, allocating $1 million to go directly to students with outstanding balances. Through the initiative, students enrolled in Spring 2020 through Spring 2021 terms impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic were provided with funds to pay off their entire outstanding balance. In addition, students who left SBCC prior to the pandemic who are attempting to re-enroll – and find themselves challenged by COVID-19 related circumstances and restricted from registration due to a pre-pandemic balance – were also provided with Fresh Start monies.
On Oct. 27, SBCC was recognized by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for being a Top Producer of Gilman Scholars among community colleges over the past 20 years. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is reshaping study abroad to make it more accessible and inclusive for American students. Twenty-three students from SBCC have received Gilman awards since 2001.
Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that registration for Spring 2022 will be open to everyone in the community beginning Tuesday, Dec. 7. Whether the goal is to earn an associate degree, transfer to a four-year university, or enroll in the School of Extended Learning for life enrichment classes, career skills training, a high school diploma or GED, SBCC is committed to help people from all walks of life succeed.
Students can choose from classes that are offered online or in a face-to-face or hybrid format. The Luria Library and the Cartwright Learning Resources Center will also be offering services in-person and online, as will all Student Services.
On Sept. 1, SBCC was awarded a Title V “Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program” grant. The grant award is for nearly $3 million over a five-year period starting Oct. 1, 2021.
The grant has five main objectives: expand outreach, enrollment and academic planning; increase completion in transfer level math and English; increase first to second year retention rate; decrease time to degree completion; and increase transfers to four-year institutions.
The Fall 2021 semester began on Aug. 23, providing students with several options for instruction: online, hybrid and in-person classes. While the on-campus experience is a bit different than it was prior to the pandemic, teaching and learning and the delivery of vital support services continues.
In an effort to keep students, faculty and staff safe, certain protocols have been established, including a requirement that all those wishing to enter a college building and/or attend in-person classes must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1.
Learn more…
Click here for information about how SBCC is monitoring and responding to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here for specifics about coming to campus.
Dr. Utpal K. Goswami resigned as Superintendent/President of the College effective July 12, 2021. Dr. Peter Haslund, President of the Board of Trustees, stated “The Board of Trustees extends thanks to Dr. Goswami for his service to SBCC and the substantial contributions he has made to the success of the College. We wish him well in his future endeavors.” Read the full press release…
Perseverance. Resilience. These are just two of the qualities demonstrated by the Class of 2021 during a year of unprecedented challenges. Watch the video applauding their accomplishments.
Nearly 1600 students participated in the virtual commencement ceremony held on May 7. Over 4,300 degrees and certificates were awarded, 608 students graduated with honors and 20 graduates are veterans.
Click here to watch the recorded ceremony.
Best Value Schools has ranked Santa Barbara City College as the No. 2 Best Online College among community colleges in the nation for 2021. Their rankings explore multiple categories designed to help students looking for the best and most affordable schools including amenities and overall valuable college experiences that suit their needs. Read more…
Santa Barbara City College student Ezekiel Contreras Forrest has been awarded one of three Board of Governors Student Leadership Awards, initiated for the first time in 2021. The awards were presented by Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley and two student members of the California Community College Board of Governors at the opening of the General Assembly for the Student Senate of the California Community Colleges on Friday March 26.
On Mar. 4, KCLU’s Caroline Feraday interviewed Luz Reyes-Martín, SBCC’s Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications, about the back to work courses offered by the School of Extended Learning for those affected by coronavirus job cuts. Listen to the interview here…
SBCC School of Extended Learning is proud to announce the free ‘Back-to-Work’ program. The program was created as a rapid solution to help unemployed Santa Barbara County community members secure employment. Back-to-Work participants will receive training, grant funding, job search support and more. The application deadline for the first three Back-to-Work career tracks is March 9.
“The pandemic’s toll on local service jobs is pushing already vulnerable families into crisis,” said Joyce Coleman, Vice President of SBCC School of Extended Learning. “Our Back-to-Work program focuses on local job markets that, in part due to the pandemic, have immediate high-demand for trained workers.”
Jim Clark, Santa Barbara City College’s Director of Information Technology Infrastructure and Security, was recently notified by the Chief Information Systems Officers Association of the California Community Colleges (CISOA) that he is the recipient of the CISOA Technology Planning Award for 2021. The award is bestowed upon someone who has played a prominent role in evaluating information technology variables and developing a strategic plan of action that advances the college mission.
After closely evaluating 423 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs across the western United States, NursingProcess.org has ranked Santa Barbara City College’s Vocational Nursing program No. 10 for 2021. Programs were ranked based on four important factors: National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) pass rates, academic quality, the nursing school’s reputation, and affordability.
SBCC’s three-semester Vocational Nursing program prepares students to practice as competent, compassionate and ethical Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in homes, clinics, extended care, sub-acute care units, surgery centers, and hospices. Classroom and laboratory courses include the foundation of nursing practice, nutrition and care for patients with gastrointestinal problems, administration of therapeutic agents, maternal and child nursing, pharmacology and medical-surgical nursing.
With its honored “Promise Program,” SBCC is ready to help First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in her efforts to offer free community college education nationwide. The SBCC Promise Program provides two years of free books and tuition to high school students who graduate in the Community College district stretching from Carpinteria to Gaviota.
Dr. Biden has been a strong supporter of the concept for years, dating back to the Obama administration. Earlier this week she made a speech to relaunch her commitment with the American Association of Community Colleges.
On Jan. 28, 2020, Optimal (formerly the SR Education Group) released “GradReports,” comparing the salaries of over 4.6 million college graduates to determine Salary Scores for more than 885 college degrees. Scores were then used to rank the best colleges in the U.S. for 2021 at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree levels. Santa Barbara City College is pleased to announce that it ranked No. 11 in the category of “Best Associate Degrees.”
At its regular monthly meeting on Dec. 17, 2020, the Santa Barbara City College District Board of Trustees elected Dr. Peter O. Haslund as president of the Board for the 2021 calendar year. Kate Parker was elected Board vice president.
President Haslund joined the Board in December 2010 and represents Area 1 (Carpinteria and Monecito). Vice PresidentParker joined the Board in December 2018 and representsArea 7 (Santa Barbara).
In addition to the election of new officers, the oath of office was administered remotely by Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido, Ed.D., to one new and two continuing trustees who were chosen by voters in the Nov. 3 election. The Board welcomed Dr. Anna Everett who was elected to the seat vacated by Craig Nielsen. Trustees Robert Miller and Veronica Gallardo were successful in their races to continue on the Board.
SBCC has never experienced a semester quite like Fall 2020, and yet students, faculty and staff faced the challenges with creativity and resilience. Read how together we found innovative ways to teach and learn, to provide vital student services, to perform theatrical drama and musical events (and more) below…
