NOVEMBER 2020 citruscollege.edu CITRUSLATEST NEWS FROM CITRUSVIEW COLLEGE Fall brings Citrus College welcomes new trustee exciting changes The Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees welcomed its newest member, Anthony Contreras, Ed.D., to his first full board meeting on Oct. 20. Dr. Contreras assumes the seat formerly held by Dr. Barbara R. Dickerson and will represent trustee area 1, which includes Azusa and portions of Duarte, through Dec. 9, 2022. “As a former Citrus College student, this institution holds a special place in my heart,” Dr. Contreras said. “I am honored to receive this appointment, and I look forward to continuing to devote my energy to furthering the educational opportunities for my community.” Change can be a wonderful thing. At no time Dr. Contreras attended Citrus College before Dr. Contreras represents trustee area 1 for the Citrus Community College District, which includes Azusa and is this more evident than when one season earning a bachelor’s degree in business portions of Duarte. transitions to the next. As summer turns administration, with an emphasis in finance, from the University of Southern California He has worked for the Azusa Unified School into fall, the weather grows cooler, the days District (AUSD) for more than 30 years, become shorter and the leaves turn a vibrant (USC); a master’s degree in cross-cultural education from National University; and a including six years as an administrator. array of colors. And now, with winter right Additionally, Dr. Contreras has served as around the corner, the future feels both exciting doctorate in education, specializing in teacher education in multicultural societies, from USC. principal at Center Middle School for the and full of opportunity. last three years. “His public service, leadership and dedication Fall 2020 at Citrus College has definitely been During his tenure at AUSD, Dr. Contreras was full of change. From starting the academic year to the Azusa community is commendable,” said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/ named teacher of the year twice and received in a remote learning environment to welcoming the “Teacher Honor Excellence” award three a new member of the board of trustees, many president of Citrus College. “I congratulate him on his appointment, and I look forward to times. In 2017, he was named secondary co- new and exciting developments have taken administrator of the year by the Association of place – and many more are on the horizon! working with him to advance student success at Citrus College.” California School Administrators. This issue of Citrus View highlights a few of “On behalf of the board of trustees, I the changes that have occurred this semester. congratulate Dr. Contreras and welcome him Each article serves as an affirmation that Citrus to our governing body,” said Dr. Patricia A. College is always evolving and moving forward. Rasmussen, president of the Citrus Community In the remaining weeks of the fall 2020 College District Board of Trustees. “His semester, the college community will continue enthusiasm and passion for helping students working together to help students reach their perfectly aligns with the college’s mission, academic and professional goals. While many vision and values.” things may change, the collaborative spirit of Citrus College will always stay the same. Geraldine M. Perri, Ph.D. Superintendent/President Dr. Contreras provides a report at his first virtual board of trustees meeting on Oct. 20. The Citrus College campus is currently closed. Faculty and staff are working remotely. Visit www.citruscollege.edu/covid19 and follow the college’s social media accounts for more information. Collaboration allows students in essential programs to return to campus In July, the Los Angeles County registered dental assistant (RDA) Department of Public Health informed programs were able to meet on campus Citrus College that it could resume and resume their coursework. Since in-person classes that are connected to returning to campus, RDA students specific essential workforce sectors. have completed all requirements, with Faculty, staff and administrators the exception of patient cleanings. worked tirelessly to create and update Automotive technology and medium and plans to return to campus based on heavy diesel truck technology students current health and safety guidelines. were also welcomed back to campus to Careful consideration and effort was complete essential lab work. put into these detailed plans, including Additionally, deans, directors, supervisors diagramming classroom workflows, so and classified staff from other divisions that students and faculty could keep at have volunteered to assist with least 6 feet of distance from each other. checking students in at designated “Faculty and staff in both the college’s parking lot entrances. This process natural, physical and health sciences has become even more efficient with division and the career, technical and the implementation of the health and continuing education division drafted wellness module in the Citrus Mobile app numerous plans to get our students (see story on page 3). Maintenance and back to campus,” said Michael Wangler, operations staff clean and disinfect all dean of career, technical and continuing areas daily. education. “With input from the “It was a college-wide effort, and I am COVID-19 Workgroup and colleagues appreciative of everyone’s hard work throughout the state, everyone has and support,” said Dr. Eric Rabitoy, worked hard to ensure quality instruction dean of natural, physical and health in a safe environment.” sciences. “Navigating this new reality By Aug. 24, students in the certified was challenging for all of us at times, but it was all worth it to be able to welcome Dental (top) and automotive (bottom) students returned to campus to complete nurse assistant, registered nurse and essential lab work. some of our students back to campus.” Honors student, future doctor wins Comevo scholarship Matthew Vinciguerra is a Citrus College biology without it,” he said. “Same goes for the Doctors major, president of the Doctors of Tomorrow of Tomorrow Club, which has guided me in my Club and an honors transfer program student. pathway to wanting to become a doctor.” He was also recently awarded a $1,000 Citrus College Counselor Raquel Gutierrez, scholarship from Comevo, Inc. who met with Matthew for academic A software company that streamlines counseling, said, “He is very determined and communication, Comevo manages the not afraid to work hard to achieve his goal.” college’s new online student orientation In order to get more experience in the medical system. This is Comevo’s sixth year of providing field, he actively sought out volunteer hours scholarships to help support the success of in a clinical setting. students in higher education. “Matthew is always so friendly and personable, There were almost 500 applicants for the ready to get his hands dirty in the lab,” added competitive scholarship, and Matthew was one Dr. June Han, biology instructor and advisor of only six recipients. He can use the $1,000 to the Doctors of Tomorrow Club. “Matthew is scholarship for class fees, books and supplies. the type of student who would go up after or “I was notified of the scholarship through the before class and talk with the professor or ask honors transfer program,” said Matthew. “I follow-up questions. He’s very dedicated to could always use help paying for school since I becoming a doctor.” pay for everything myself.” Matthew is planning on transferring to the Matthew highly recommends the honors University of California, Irvine, in fall 2022 transfer program: “It’s a very helpful program, to study neurobiology. His goal is to attend and I don’t know what I would have done medical school in order to become a neurologist. Matthew recently won a scholarship from Comevo. 2 CITRUSVIEW Safe return to Dozens of universities campus with the represented at Virtual Citrus Mobile app Transfer Fair Although the physical Citrus College campus remains closed to the public, students and faculty in classes related to specific essential workforce sectors, as well as some essential personnel, are being allowed on campus. Thanks to leadership from the technology and computer services office and the COVID-19 Workgroup, the college has implemented a new health and wellness module in the Citrus Mobile app. This feature allows the college to easily comply with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) requirements for health assessments and contact tracing. An alternative web-based pre-screening survey is also available online for those without the app who wish to complete and print a health pass. Staff from the Citrus College Career/Transfer Center were available during the Virtual Transfer Fair to answer student questions via Zoom. Pictured: Maria LeDuc, educational advisor (top left); Jessica López Jiménez, director of student support services (top right); Heather Hendrickson, secretary (bottom left); and Raquel Gutierrez, counselor (bottom right). Every year, the Citrus College Career/ link to the university’s website and a link Transfer Center hosts a Transfer Fair in the to a virtual campus tour (if available). fall that enables students to meet with The fair was separated into three representatives from a variety of colleges 50-minute sessions, with each including and universities. a welcome, a presentation and a Q&A If your contract tracing survey answers in the app indicate that you are Despite