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Fifteen students in Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's Black Student Success Scholars (BSSS) program recently took part in a multi-day tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across Texas and Louisiana. Throughout the experience, students explored transfer opportunities, learned about academic programs, and experienced the culture and traditions of HBCU campuses firsthand. The group visited schools including Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University, Grambling State University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

From April 5–10, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s Model United Nations team competed at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York, earning top recognition among participating institutions. The team received an Outstanding Delegation award—granted to just 5% of schools—along with four Position Paper Awards, two Outstanding Delegate honors, and a Committee Chair selection. Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ was one of only two community colleges to earn Outstanding Delegation distinction and tied for the most position paper awards among all delegations.

On April 16, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ recognized eight faculty members who were recently approved for tenure by the Board of Trustees, effective Fall 2026. This milestone reflects their dedication to teaching excellence, student success, and the college’s academic mission. Tenure at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ represents a significant professional achievement and a continued commitment to fostering high-quality learning experiences. Congratulations to our newly tenured faculty!

Newly Tenured Faculty: 

Congratulations to Deanna Valdez, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s Outstanding Full-time Teacher of the Year. 

Congratulations to Marco Randazzo, Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s Outstanding Part-time Teacher of the Year. 

Marco is an educator whose dedication to student growth and voice shines in every classroom. Known for creating a welcoming and supportive environment, he empowers students to explore their ideas, express themselves confidently and develop the skills they need to succeed. His teaching philosophy emphasizes not only mastery of English but also the importance of finding and using one’s own voice—an approach that resonates deeply with his students.

Congratulations to Art Instructor Mary Gulino on being named Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s Outstanding Emeritus Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations Desiree Ortiz on being named Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s 2026 Classified Employee of the Year. Desiree is a dedicated classified professional at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ (Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ) with more than 21 years of service across the South Orange County Community College District. Her career spans five departments, including 17 years in Financial Aid and her current role in Police Services, where she continues to champion student success, equity, and a culture of care. In all her roles, Desiree has worked to remove barriers and ensure all students feel supported, valued, and empowered.

Congratulations to Director of Annual Giving Karen Orlando for being named Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's 2026 Manager of the Year. 

Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ celebrated Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Day on April 3 with a campuswide gathering focused on elevating Indigenous voices and honoring the ancestral lands the college occupies. Tribal members from the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation, Belardes Band, and the Gabrielino-Shoshone Nation of Southern California shared their stories, perspectives, and cultural knowledge.