�鶹��ý

Congratulations to Art Instructor Mary Gulino on being named �鶹��ý’s Outstanding Emeritus Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations Desiree Ortiz on being named �鶹��ý’s 2026 Classified Employee of the Year. Desiree is a dedicated classified professional at �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) 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 �鶹��ý's 2026 Manager of the Year. 

�鶹��ý 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.  

On April 15, �鶹��ý hosted its 5th Annual Preview Night, welcoming 3,124 prospective students and their families to explore the college’s programs, services, and campus community. Attendees learned about �鶹��ý’s top-ranked transfer success, including its distinction as No. 1 in Orange County for transfers to every UC.

The �鶹��ý Environmental Leadership Committee (ELC) recently hosted a student logo design contest to create a new visual identity reflecting the college's commitment to sustainability, education, and campus engagement. Students from Gokce Kasikci's Digital Media Art (DMA) 192 and Gregory Harlan's DMA 175 courses participated.

First place was awarded to Ahlam Attallah, who will receive a $500 prize for her winning design. Parinaz Ahranjani was named runner-up and will receive a $250 award.

�鶹��ý hosted the Women Veteran Networking Forum on March 13 at the Performing Arts Center, bringing together women veterans for a day of connection, reflection, and empowerment. Centered on the theme “Reclaim Your Identity: From Service to Self.” The program included a keynote by Dr. Mary Ann Villarreal, interim president of CSU Dominguez Hills and an Air Force veteran, who highlighted the power of education, mentorship, and service. 

The �鶹��ý Circle K International Club attended the annual California-Nevada-Hawaii District Convention March 6 – 8 in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Circle K members from colleges across the district gathered for educational workshops, leadership training, regional elections, service projects, and to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments. The �鶹��ý Circle K International Club proudly brought home the following awards:

After winning 124 awards thus far this season, the �鶹��ý Speech Team faced their hardest challenge yet: competing at the 36th Annual International Forensics Association (IFA) Speech and Debate Championships and the CCCFA State Championships. With the tournaments overlapping, �鶹��ý Speech had to split their talent to attend both tournaments.