“These students who’ve been told ‘You’ll never be able to do that’ feel so empowered,� Rivero said. “It wakes them up.�

For his work motivating students to advocate for the all-girls’ in Kenya, Rivero was one of five international educators—from India, Tunisia, Guatemala, Lebanon and the U.S.—to receive the 2025 World of Difference Award (Educator Category) from last September.

Daraja Academy is a continuing passion project for Rivero’s students. Current classes are working on a documentary about the all-girl secondary school.

They also often share their work inspired by issues the girls and the academy face at different professional conferences. When a group of Yosemite High boys made a presentation a few years ago, an attendee asked why teenage boys were so interested in women’s empowerment.

“Their answer was incredible,� Rivero said. “They said, ‘We all have single moms.’�

Rivero, an Atwater High and ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ alumnus, shows students how to find inspiration wherever they are. He shows them how to approach life like he does.

Honors and Accolades

Rivero’s work, with his student-first approach, has been recognized for years. The TIAW nod is the latest Rivero has earned while inspiring students towards social justice and environmental advocacy work.

Rivero also won the award from the California Environmental Education Foundation in 2025. In 2022, he was honored with the U.S. Green Building Council’s K–12 Educator Award. In 2016, he received the national for Environmental Education, recognizing his curriculum pairing access to natural resources and global conflict.

Rivero has long contributed to the California Environmental Literacy Initiative, which makes accessible quality environment-based learning, to all TK-12 students in California. He also mentors young people in the California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program to make them knowledgeable advocates for sustainability policy.

Yosemite High also features an after-school group known as the Interact Junior Ambassadors (IJA), where Rivero mentors students to do deeper research into societal problems using science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) principles.

“I have to give credit to the great teachers I had at both ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ and Stanislaus State,â€� Rivero said. “They all inspired me in this direction. And I have such great parents. Without them, none of this work would have been possible.â€�

Connections and Collaborations

Rivero became interested in Daraja’s story when his IJA partner Chuma Ikenze introduced him to Daraja Academy around 2018.

The secondary boarding school uses education to break the cycle of gender bias that denies girls a high school education due to arranged marriages, teen pregnancy and poverty.

Inspired by what they learn about social justice and environmental sustainability, the Yosemite High students have initiated projects like recycling lithium batteries and producing the school’s first yearbook. They also worked with Merced’s to sponsor a $15,000 scholarship to give one current Daraja student a high school education.

Rivero connects with everyone he can to promote his students’ work.

After being named a UN Ambassador for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals program in 2019, he started the “17 and Me Show� on YouTube. There, he and students have produced discussions with the likes of civil rights icon and United Farm Workers co-founder and Xploration Nature Knows Best star and host , a leading clean oceans and climate activist.

He and his Yosemite High students have also met world leaders during visits to the White House and sports legends like former San Francisco Giants manager Dusty Baker and NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

“Jerry politely asked me what I do, and we spoke for 30 minutes,� Rivero said. “I showcase my students to everyone I meet. And I have Yosemite High principals and a superintendent who support what we do.�

The Yosemite High connection to Daraja will get stronger in the next year or two. Rivero’s digital media and history classes are producing a documentary, featuring their Sunrise Rotary scholarship recipient, to show how Daraja changes lives for girls in Africa. Yosemite students are to purchase portable video equipment and pay for travel to Kenya.

They’re also researching and developing content and questions for the Daraja student, her classmates, alumni and employees. Professional cinematographer Seth Hancock, the documentary filmmaker behind the Hulu film “Leftovers,� is coaching the students on making a documentary and will consult on the project.

Subverting Expectations

Rivero happily accepts that his teaching approach is a bit of reverse engineering.

“I cannot tell you how much I have learned from my students by helping them in this backward way,� he said. “And I have seen my students take ownership of whatever activity we’re doing and then tear it up.�

Consider the exchange he had with a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) administrator at the QS EduData Conference in San Francisco in 2023 after being imipressed by the Yosemite High presentation.

She said, “I can’t believe your high school students are doing things I can’t get my college kids to do!�

Rivero replied, “Not too bad for a bunch of continuation students, right?!�

Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had no idea.

Rivero has taught at Yosemite High for 30 years. Do not suggest retirement to him.

“I feel like I’m in my prime right now,� he said.

Rivero enjoys subverting expectations of strangers, potential collaborators and his students.

Like once in San Francisco, when a Yosemite student stopped cold in front of something he’d never seen before—an escalator—and refused to step on. Or at a hotel in Anaheim when another young person, who had never had hot, running water for bathing at home, took multiple 30-minute showers during the trip.

“We have to be mindful of their experience to reach them,� Rivero said. “But, after I told my students what that important woman from MIT said, well, it was hard to fit their heads in the car.�

Rivero has the daily honor of witnessing the growth of beautiful minds. His latest crop of students did a Zoom presentation for the National Green School Conference held in San Diego on Feb. 17.

It’s wonderful fuel for his own life.

“I always find myself bumping into people with dreams,� Rivero said. “I throw some gas on their fire, and then they throw some on mine.�

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Presented at the CCPRO Annual Conference in Paso Robles on April 9, the award reflects Vitelli’s consistent commitment to ensuring that the story of ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ is shared clearly, authentically and with impact. Since becoming president in 2017, he has prioritized transparent communication, invested in building a strong External Relations team, and fostered a culture that values creativity, innovation and strategic storytelling.

“I’m honored by this recognition, and especially proud of the work our External Relations team does every day to share the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ story,â€� Vitelli said. “As we continue to innovate and expand opportunities for students, it’s critical that our community understands who we are, what we stand for, and the impact we’re making. Strong branding, storytelling and communication are key to building that understanding and advancing our vision for the future.â€�

Under Vitelli’s leadership, ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ has launched forward-thinking efforts such as the Dreamscape Learn virtual reality lab and the national Bellwether Award-winning AgTEC Workforce Initiative. These and other advancements have expanded opportunities for students while creating meaningful, compelling stories that connect the college with its community and elevate its reputation at the state and national level.

Vitelli’s support has also helped establish one of the most consistently recognized communications teams in the California Community College system. Over the past four years, ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ has earned 38 CCPRO awards, including back-to-back years with the most awards in the state, as well as three CASE awards—including two national Circle of Excellence Awards—competing alongside four-year universities.

“Our team’s success over the past several years is a direct reflection of President Vitelli’s leadership,� said Jill Cunningham, Vice President of External Relations. “He has built a culture where communications is valued as a strategic function, where creativity and innovation are encouraged, and where we’re supported in raising the bar. That combination has allowed our team to do its best work and consistently be recognized at the highest levels.�

The CCPRO Awards recognize excellence in marketing, communications and public relations efforts among California’s 116 community colleges. Hundreds of entries are submitted each year and judged by marketing and communications professionals from throughout the state.

At this year’s conference, ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ earned seven awards, including three first-place finishes, continuing a multi-year track record of excellence. The college claimed awards in the following categories:

Gold

Annual Report — 2024 Annual Report

Email / Digital / Print Newsletter — Blue Devil’s Advocate

Photography: Mobile Device — Pool Practice at Sunset

Silver

Banner / Outdoor Media — Dreamscape Learn Billboard

Bronze

Video: Special Message — Share Something Good

Photography: Charles Cropsey Award — ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ Fountain

Logo Design — College for Kids

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The fourth annual Los Banos Campus commencement ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 30, and the 63rd annual ceremony at the main campus in Merced will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 1, on Don Odishoo Field at Stadium ’76.

Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira, a ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ alumna, will be the keynote speaker for both ceremonies. Both events will be livestreamed at .

“Commencement is one of the most meaningful moments in the lives of our students,� President Chris Vitelli said. “This year’s graduates represent resilience, determination and a deep commitment to their goals. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and confident in the impact they will make in our communities and beyond.�

This year, more than 2,300 individual students are set to earn a record-setting total of 4,087 potential degrees and certificates, pending final administrative review. That total includes 427 students graduating with honors, having earned a grade-point average of 3.50 or better with a minimum of 45 units completed. And 59 students are receiving Superintendent’s Honors for achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA with at least 36 units completed.

“This accomplishment reflects not only the dedication of our students, but the support of their families, faculty and classified professionals who helped them reach this milestone,â€� said Joe G. Gutierrez, President of the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board, we are honored to recognize the Class of 2026 and all they represent for the future of our region.â€�

At the Los Banos Campus, more than 260 local graduates are eligible for this year’s ceremony, reflecting the continued growth and popularity of the Westside event.

“It’s been so rewarding to see this ceremony become such an important tradition for Los Banos and our surrounding communities,� said Jessica Moran, Dean of Instruction at the Los Banos Campus. “Each year, more students and families are able to celebrate this milestone close to home, and that sense of community makes the experience even more meaningful.�

For more information about attending either ceremony, visit mccd.edu/graduation.

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Graduation for associate degree recipients are scheduled for the Los Banos Campus on April 30 at 7 p.m. and the Merced Campus on May 1 at 6 p.m.

The college is also rethinking how best to acknowledge the growing number of certificate earners who are completing programs that lead to great careers while making ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ ever more valuable to the community and regional workforce.

In 2024-25, ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ saw a 3.5% bump in total awards to 3,418, including 715 Associate Degrees, and 929 Associate Degrees for Transfer, and 1,774 certificates.

Until now, being recognized for earning certificates has taken different forms or no form at all. This year, the college has worked to standardize celebrations for certificate earners.

“The Graduation Committee has been working hard to figure out the best ways to celebrate their hard work, too,� said Associate Dean of Nursing Claire Alvarez. “There is a lot of standardization going on.�

The college is also continuing to find ways to give special recognition to special populations with unique celebrations around the time of graduation. Here are just a few of the ways ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ is celebrating its graduates this year.

Agriculture & Industrial Technology Recognition Ceremony
IAC Amphitheater, Merced Campus, April 20, 6 p.m.

Cody Jacobsen, Dean of Instruction for Agriculture and Industrial Technology, said his area has improved the ceremony first held in December 2025 for fast-track and competency-based education certificate earners.

Autumn Gardia, Director of Special Projects and Grants, organized the initial event in December, which acknowledged certificates given for completed training in Ag Business, Ag Systems, Animal Science, Automotive Technology, Commercial/Residential Electrical, Crop Science, Dietetic Service Supervisor/Certified Dietary Manager, Environmental Horticulture, Equine Science, General Agriculture, HVAC, Pipe Welding, Pipe Welding Technology, Welding Technology, Industrial Electrical Technician and Truck Driving.

Jacobsen met a Le Grand High School friend at the ceremony who was there to support a nephew. The nephew had never graduated from high school, and their entire family was there to honor his achievement at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ.

“That reaffirmed to me why we need to do these ceremonies,� Jacobsen said.

The college administration also liked what it saw and pushed to add and formalize what certificate ceremonies could and should be for students. Previously, for example, welding students at the Los Banos Campus had a BBQ after their last day of class, but other students in Ag-IT programs had no celebration.

“There was no consistency; now, by echoing our ceremony, we have a standard,� Jacobsen said. “Autumn did a fantastic job. Anything we put together, we want it to be first-class, because the students, families and industry people who support the college deserve it.�

LatinX Recognition Celebration
IAC Amphitheater, Merced Campus, April 23, 5:30 p.m.

The LatinX Recognition Ceremony (Ceremonia de Reconocimiento LatinX) is a cultural celebration for Latino graduates and is the newest among intimate ceremonies for populations like Black students and LGBTQIA+ students (Lavender Graduation).

It’s a first for Latino students, who make up 67% of ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s student population. EOPS Counselor/Equity Coordinator Cimmaron Ruiz said students insisted the event be delivered in both Spanish and English.

“The students had asked for their own recognition gathering and wanted their parents to be able to understand what’s being said,� Ruiz said. “They don’t (translate) during the main graduation. It made sense. This is the parents’ time to celebrate their children. It was time.�

Graduates will wear LatinX stoles for the celebration, and ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ Trustee Ernie Ochoa will speak. Class of 2026 graduate Renee Serena will give a student address about completing her LVN training and five other degrees.

Ruiz gathered a task force to craft something emotional and culturally respectful.

“The students need to feel our support,â€� he said. “We want them to know that ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ stands behind them, wherever they end up in life.â€�

Other population-specific celebrations this year included African American Scholars on April 14, AAPI Scholars on April 15, and Pride Scholars (LGBTQ+) on April 16.

Fire Academy Ceremony, April 25, 10 a.m.
CNA Ceremony, April 25, 2:30 p.m.
LVN Ceremony, May 4, 2 p.m.
RN Pinning Ceremony, May 4, 5:30 p.m.
³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ Theater

These certificates denote students who have completed the state-required training and are eligible to take the national board tests for Registered Nurses (National Council Licensure Examination) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN), or the state’s Certified Nursing Assistants Board and California Fire Fighter Certification exams.

Each ceremony features a formal acknowledgement as graduates accept their new role as society’s helpers. For example, RN graduates do a pinning ceremony that is steeped in tradition: graduates dressed in white, everyone holding a lit lamp, giving the Nightingale pledge, and then being “pinned.�

“It’s a bittersweet moment,� Alvarez said. “You’re so proud about achieving something so big, and you’re sad to be leaving your fellow students, who have become family. It’s a relief, it’s a celebration, it’s fear of the unknown. It’s the deep hope you’ll pass the licensing examination and find a good job.

“Yet, it’s so exciting to see your family embrace this huge achievement you’ve managed. Speaking as a leader in nursing, when I go out to hospitals and other facilities and see former students taking care of their community, it makes my cup runneth over.�

Transfer Recognition Ceremony
Downey Learning Resource Center 2nd Floor
April 9, 5:30 p.m.

Transfer students represent a huge portion of the student population and also a big part of the community college mission—preparing students for four-year universities.

The Career & Transfer Center (CTC) has always recognized transfer students who move on to four-year universities. CTC Director Ernesto Hernandez said with the transfer ceremony moving up to April, many transfer students are still waiting to accurately identify their next destination.

“We send 80% of our transfers to Cal State Stanislaus anyway, so that’s consistent,� Hernandez said. “But campuses like UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego haven’t released their acceptance letters to transfers yet. Their decisions might change afterwards.�

Some students complete transfer requirements and receive a certificate of recognition, while others earn Associate of Arts for Transfer degrees. The transfer celebration is the same for all.

“Making it a night event, and making it more formal with a buffet-style dinner upgrades the entire experience,� Hernandez said. “The directive was to make students feel special and valued, and to celebrate the transfer process.

“I come from a family of four ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ grads who transferred elsewhere — I think I just picked up my transcript and left. So this encourages me to do something special for our students.â€�

Memories Being Made

Human beings need ceremonies to mark special moments.

“We have students with several kids and maybe several jobs who faced so many obstacles to get to the finish line,� Jacobsen said. “So I want them to remember that time their 4-year-old son or daughter watched them walk across the stage.�

Ruiz went back to school in his 40s and now helps other Latinos feel gratified by their accomplishments.

“I’m focused on them so they don’t become a statistic,� he said. “I want them to go through graduation so they recognize themselves as successes.�

Hernandez concurs.

“I want our transfer students to feel seen,â€� he said. “I want them to be heard. I want them to be celebrated.”

Alvarez will retire in June after 18 years at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ and 38 years as an RN. When she attends her last RN pinning ceremony this month, she will go to the podium and say for the final time: “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the graduating Class of 2026.â€�

“And the crowd will go wild,� Alvarez said. “They can’t help themselves. We’ll all feel how meaningful it is.�

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“By all metrics, we are thriving as a college,� Vitelli said.

Vitelli pointed to strong performance across enrollment, completion, and student success. Over the past five years, the college has seen a 20% increase in degrees and certificates awarded, including more than 3,400 credentials conferred last year alone.

Enrollment has grown by more than 25% since 2017, with the college on track to serve more than 22,000 students this year, the highest in its history. And for first-time, full-time students, tuition is free.

Student outcomes are also improving, with course success rates increasing by more than 4% and course retention rising by 7%. Vitelli credited the work of faculty and classified professionals for driving those gains.

“For those of you in education, it’s really hard to move that needle,� he said. “That’s because of the innovative and outstanding work and focus of our talented team of professionals.�

Career technical education programs are producing strong workforce outcomes, with about 90% of graduates securing jobs in their field within six months, Vitelli said. He emphasized the college’s growing role in the region’s agricultural economy, highlighting the development of a $22 million AgTEC Innovation Center and partnerships with UC Merced and industry organizations.

Innovation was a central theme throughout the address, with Vitelli noting recent changes designed to improve student outcomes, including a shift to a 16-week semester model and the expansion of immersive learning through Dreamscape Learn. Students participating in the virtual reality learning platform have seen an 8% increase in success rates and nearly a 4% improvement in course completion compared to traditional formats.

“Innovation is not just a buzzword here,� Vitelli said. “We’re focused on being the most innovative community college in the country.�

Vitelli also highlighted the importance of student support services, noting that more than half of ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ students are first-generation college students. Programs supporting veterans, foster youth and other underserved populations continue to expand, helping students persist and complete their goals.

Community engagement remains a key priority, with dual enrollment growing from about 70 students at its inception to more than 700 in recent years, with local students earning college credits and even completing associate degrees by the time they graduate high school.

The college is also celebrating the 50th anniversary of its College for Kids summer program, which introduces younger students to higher education. And arts and culture continue to play a central role on campus, with a $47 million renovation planned for the college’s theater, music and arts facilities.

Looking ahead, Vitelli pointed to major initiatives that will shape the college’s future, including a joint student housing project with UC Merced. The project is designed to create a seamless transfer pathway while encouraging students to remain in the region.

“This is about transforming our community,� he said. “We want our students to stay here, build careers here and help strengthen the Central Valley.�

The event also marked the launch of ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s 2025 Annual Report, which highlights key achievements and initiatives from the past year. The report is available online at .

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Since 1976, College for Kids has introduced local children to new interests while helping them build confidence in a college setting. Held on the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ campus, the program offers students a chance to experience higher education early, in an environment designed to spark curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

“College for Kids has been part of ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s commitment to this community for 50 years,â€� said Jill Cunningham, Vice President of External Relations. “By welcoming students to campus at a young age, we’re helping them see themselves in a college environment and opening the door to future opportunities. Programs like this can play a meaningful role in shaping how students view their potential and their path forward.â€�

This year’s program features a refreshed structure and expanded offerings. With a new one-week schedule, students can explore a wider range of subjects throughout the summer. Sessions will be offered during the weeks of June 8-11, June 15-17, June 22-25, July 6-9, July 13-16 and July 20-23.

Course options span a wide range of creative, academic, and exploratory subjects. Students can choose from offerings in visual and performing arts, world cultures and languages, hands‑on science and nature exploration, music fundamentals, early math enrichment, digital media skills, and other imaginative, project‑based learning experiences.

In addition to enrichment courses, the program will continue to offer opportunities in aquatics, sports and theater, providing students with a well-rounded summer experience.

Organizers say the campus setting is a key part of the experience, giving students a sense of belonging while helping them imagine themselves as future college students.

“This year’s program reflects both the tradition of College for Kids and some exciting new directions,� said Jennifer Trost, Director of Contract Education & Community Services. “We’ve expanded our course selection and introduced a flexible weekly format so students can try new subjects, discover interests and build new skills. Our instructors are passionate about creating engaging experiences for students from Merced and surrounding communities.�

Families are encouraged to plan ahead, as classes are expected to fill quickly during the program’s 50th anniversary year. Registration opens April 1 and can be completed online at /schools-programs/community-education/college-for-kids/

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With Cruthird-Mays currently serving as a Merced County Office of Education College and Career Coordinator and Boyenga as Atwater Elementary School District Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, that bell continues to toll for them decades later.

³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ as Touchstone

Cruthird-Mays had some challenges to overcome in her youth as a first-generation student and person of color whose parents struggled with drug use. She said while growing up, she learned everything a parent should not do.

Cruthird-Mays was on the verge of not graduating from high school when her ROP graphic arts instructor Carol Kamerer pulled her aside to say, “I know you’re tough on the outside, but you have so much potential inside.�

Those words pushed her through high school and eventually to ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ, where Cruthird-Mays, by then a young mother, enrolled in a child development course to learn how to parent. That class changed her life.

Cruthird-Mays loved working with young children so much she would hang around the Child Development Center (CDC) during breaks. The energy and support there felt so different from her childhood, when she was told she wouldn’t amount to anything.

Eventually the CDC staff, led by director Marilyn Scorby, and Cruthird-Mays’ mentor, Stacy Rodner, recognized her passion working with children. Rodner eventually helped Cruthird-Mays get a work study job at the CDC.

“The work inspired me, and that’s why I’ve never left early childhood education,� Cruthird-Mays said.

She had a purpose that helped her finish an AA in child development and then matriculate to Stanislaus State to earn a BA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Exceptional Youth while also also serving a 10-year stint as a full-time teacher at the CDC lab classroom.

After transitioning to the Merced County Office of Education, Cruthird-Mays also earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Stan State.

“My journey was not traditional, but it was persistent,� Cruthird-Mays said. “I believe deeply that education is not about becoming equal, but about becoming who you are meant to be.�

At MCOE, she now guides Adult Career Technical Education programs, probation contracts to support justice-impacted youth and adults, and workforce development. Cruthird-Mays also remains an adjunct childhood development professor at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ.

She was able to lean into that connection when she teamed with ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ faculty to align MCOE’s Foundations in Early Education program with the college’s Child Development pathway. Through this collaboration, 12 MCOE units were approved for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) for an AA degree, and MCOE transcripts with those credits now also serve as certification of skills for employment.

Cruthird-Mays appreciates the professional life she chose and the one that chose her. It leads to moments like the one a few years ago, when one of her ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ students came to her because she was failing.

Cruthird-Mays gently took her hand and said, “‘Let’s just you and me figure out how to get you to pass with a C.’ If I hadn’t done that, she said she never would have passed.�

Now that student works for the Atwater Elementary School District as a preschool coordinator, molding students of her own.

“Yes, I do see myself in those moments,� Cruthird-Mays said. “I knew she needed a different message. By encouraging her to not fail, it changed everything for her, just like it did for me.�

Hometown Hero Delivers Solutions

Born at the old Bloss Memorial Hospital and raised in Atwater, Ana Boyenga has put an indelible mark on her hometown as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent within the Atwater Elementary School District these past 32 years.

One high point of that journey occurred in October 2025, when Boyenga was named the Merced County Office of Education and Educational Employees Credit Union School Administrator of the Year.

“I was so humbled and honored,� Boyenga said. “Because you’re just someone who goes to work every day. You’re not expecting to be noticed. I love helping and serving.�

Boyenga was recognized for launching a dual language immersion (DLI) program at Juniper Elementary School and creating the HEART (Hope Engagement Achievement Restoration, Transition) Academy, a groundbreaking effort to support student social-emotional well-being.

While birthing the DLI program, Boyenga, a former student who had struggled to learn English, became the experienced administrator who empowered Juniper students to learn a second language: English speakers learning Spanish and native Spanish speakers both reinforcing their Spanish fluency and supporting new Spanish speakers.

“Now when I visit Juniper, I hear them make connections and it gives me goosebumps,� Boyenga said. “That’s what the program was meant to do.�

The HEART Academy provides safe spaces for students who had previously shown unsafe behaviors to learn new ones. Using $11.1 million from the California Community Schools grant, the district created small classes that meet for a part of each day, strengthen self-regulating skills, and then students go back into their classes better prepared to handle challenges.

“That’s when I started liking school—when teachers gave me that time and attention,� Boyenga said. “The comfort and relationship pieces are so important for the HEART Academy. Kids need to know you care about them; then they can do anything.�

Boyenga grew up in Atwater. She graduated from Atwater High and ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ. While living at home, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanislaus State. Because she has long found things to challenge her in her own backyard, she has never felt compelled to leave. She believes in Atwater.

“I love it,� Boyenga said. “It’s my community.�

Speaking of challenges continuing to land on her doorstep, winning the administrator of the year award inspired Boyenga to run for Merced County Superintendent of Schools this year.

“All of the work I’ve done in my career has come about so similarly,� she said. “At some point, you get a call and then another asking you something. Then maybe the next topic is something you can do, like running for superintendent. I just try to be a humble student and put myself out there to share what I know.�

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Throughout high school, she pushed herself physically, determined to meet enlistment requirements. She trained with her school’s basketball team in the winter and followed intense workout programs in the summer until she finally met the standards and enlisted.

“I knew the military would help me figure out what I would be good at,� she said.

But the plan she had worked toward for years ended abruptly when a medical issue led to her discharge during training. In the years that followed, a workplace injury and struggles with drugs and alcohol contributed to the circumstances that eventually led to her incarceration.

Michalek is one of several military veterans at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) who are part of a new collaboration between the 1st Lt. Peter J. Gallo Veterans Resource Center and the Rising Scholars program, designed to better support incarcerated veterans pursuing higher education.

“Being in college makes me feel like I’m back in the military,� she said. “I’m loving every moment of it.�

Francisco Contreras, an adjunct counselor for the Veterans Resource Center, said many veterans who enroll in college after incarceration describe a similar turning point.

“Prior to engaging in education, they struggled to find structure and direction,� Contreras said. “Through becoming part of an academic community—often in spaces where they once believed they did not belong—they have found stability, purpose and a renewed sense of identity. Education has become a turning point for many of them.�

More than 320 students at CCWF are currently enrolled at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ, and many are military veterans trying to rebuild their lives. The partnership between Rising Scholars and the Veterans Resource Center aims to better understand the experiences of incarcerated veterans and provide resources tailored to their needs, including counseling, transition support and workshops.

“Our intention is not only to support their academic success,� Contreras said, “but also to ensure they feel empowered during and after their transition.�

For many of the students, the experience of military service also creates an immediate bond with classmates who share that background.

Dondi Lawrence, director of Rising Scholars, said that connection can be especially meaningful for women veterans studying together at CCWF.

While many Rising Scholars students share the experience of incarceration, the veterans enrolled at CCWF often carry an additional layer of shared identity. Their military service creates an immediate sense of connection—one built on discipline, teamwork and the challenges of transitioning back into civilian life.

“The intersection of these experiences creates a strong sense of shared understanding and support,� Lawrence said. “Students build community and encourage one another along their educational journey.�

Angelina Rodriguez understands the value of that support.

When she first arrived at CCWF in 2004, she was housed on condemned row, where educational opportunities were extremely limited. Determined to keep learning, she enrolled in a paralegal correspondence course and completed it largely on her own, waiting weeks for answers to questions sent through the mail.

“I was proud of myself,� she said. “I earned an A in the course, and even more so, I earned my certification.�

Years later, after moving into general population at CCWF, Rodriguez was finally able to enroll in college classes through ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ.

“I wasted no time signing up,� she said. “I recognized that I gain more through face-to-face classes, and the professors I continue to be assigned have been great blessings to me.�

For years, Rodriguez said she was reticent to speak about her military service after someone told her she was “a shame to our country.â€� Seeing ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ actively support veterans has helped restore a sense of pride.

“Now that Merced is taking an active investment in veteran students, I know I made the right choice when I enrolled here,â€� she said. “I will do all I can to build this program into a valuable asset to ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ.â€�

Another student veteran is already looking toward the future.

After leaving the Army, Adriana Alamillo eventually found her way to ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ classes at CCWF, where she is studying sociology and psychology. She hopes to graduate in 2027 and transfer to Fresno State for her bachelor’s degree, with a goal of working on cold cases and helping bring closure to unsolved crimes.

Her motivation, she said, comes from her daughter.

“My daughter is my motivation to do better in life,� she said. “I want to make her proud of me. Plus, I would like to be proud of myself.�

For Michalek, the opportunity to pursue college has also opened the door to a new future.

Now studying to become a paralegal, she hopes to eventually work in the legal field and help veterans and others in need.

For the women veterans participating in the program, education represents more than a degree. It is a chance to rebuild identity, restore confidence and move toward a future shaped by service rather than past mistakes.

“The main point that I would like to emphasize is that no matter what life throws at you, don’t give up on your goals and dreams,� Michalek said. “You have to work hard for what you want, and the hard work will pay off.�

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Each of these professionals is leading an effort that might some day help our students become leaders themselves.

Valerie Albano, Dreamscape Learn

Professor of Biology Valerie Albano applauds the ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ administration for bringing high-end, innovative tools to our students “to engage in and learn from.â€�

One of the biggest recent examples is the commitment ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ has made to using virtual reality (VR) for immersive learning through Dreamscape Learn, developed in collaboration with Arizona State.

Albano was the brave soul willing to tackle how best to first bring the VR tools into real classes for real Biology 1 students. She was moved by immersive VR’s potential to bring equity to STEM students.

“Learning is not one-sided,� Albano said. “It’s an exchange. So if we start by having some fun studying an intergalactic dinosaur in a VR landscape, then we start on an even playing field. None of the students know this creature. They all come to it new. It takes away this notion that some students know more than others.�

Biology 1 classes use the Dreamscape Learn story behind a sick, intergalactic creature. The students “enter� this world using VR headsets, and “observe� both the habitat and elements affecting the creature. Then, students do hands-on experiments in the wet lab to reinforce what they’ve learned.

The curriculum covers concepts like the scientific method, data collection and observation, and more, including cell biology, genetics, ecology, and physiology.

In this first full year that Biology 1 students are using Dreamscape, Albano almost immediately noticed them—normally so intimidated by STEM concepts—eagerly attack the interactive, visual, hands-on, fun lessons that feel so much like a video game.

“And about halfway through the semester, students’ data literacy—meaning data collection and interpretation and graphing numbers—was substantially higher using Dreamscape Learn,â€� she said. “They’re not afraid of data, numbers or graphs. They’re interacting with all of it and it’s been a huge win for our Biology 1 students.â€�

Early results are clear: Students in biology courses that use Dreamscape Learn have a 3.7% higher course completion rate and 8.2% higher course success rate than students in non-Dreamscape classes.

The immediate feedback and success feels so satisfying to Albano, who grew up Latina and indigenous on her mother’s side and caucasian on her father’s side, in a poor area called Chimayo, N.M.

She became a biologist in part thanks to support of a family friend, who worked in the Los Alamos National Laboratory. That father of a friend encouraged Albano to apply to the University of Washington, where she studied biology and zoology and also did undergraduate research in audiology.

This passionate scientist and teacher who landed at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ 23 years ago had been that student who felt like she started from behind.

“When I was an undergrad coming from a disadvantaged background, science was really hard,� Albano said. “As I worked my way through, I had fabulous tutors at the University of Washington. I realized they were taking the fear out of learning for me. They were taking feelings of inadequacy out of learning for me. They made something as mysterious as science, something I had confidence in.

“And now I get to demystify what biology is, to show the beauty of it. That’s my job now, to make students feel comfortable in class no matter where they come from.�

Libby Soria, Competency-Based Education

When Professor Libby Soria and her colleagues were tasked with creating a competency-based education (CBE) modality for the Child Development program four years ago, she said they started by “blowing up everything we even thought we knew about teaching it.�

“We were weeding through what we had and thinking about what we wanted to create and realized that early childhood education already has a strong foundation throughout the California Community Colleges (CCC) system,� Soria said.

³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ has long offered a traditional, classroom Child Development (CD) pathway. Five years ago, it began offering the same in a fully online pathway. CBE is the third modality and will bring even more equity to this popular program.

“Higher education has long been designed around textbooks,â€� Soria said. “But this CD CBE modality is designed around actual skills. It’s more efficient. It’s not tied to class time. You can move to show competency in a skill as quickly or slowly as you need to. The new modality keeps ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ competitive and gives students choices as to how to complete their education.â€�

Among eight colleges originally approved for the state grant, only Merced and one other sought to zero in on childhood development. Early on, the college realized they would need time to also add general education requirements to flesh out a full degree pathway.

The grant organization gave grantees an additional year to both add those general ed courses and to construct the pathway in the Canvas learning platform. Soria said ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ will launch the child development CBE modality in Fall 2027.

“When I came to the Child Development program, CBE was not in the hopper at all,� she said. “But we were already doing a lot of things online. Our hardship at that time was figuring out how to move lab classes online. Then COVID hit, and we did figure that out.�

The college’s curriculum committee eventually approached Soria, the department lead chair, to ask if they’d be the first department to attack CBE.

“I said, ‘Yeah, we’ll jump in,’� Soria said. “It has not been easy, but it has been amazing. We have to embrace change, which isn’t easy for everyone to do. But I feel confident in our leadership.

“I know we don’t have to fear this change. Now we can lead the way for CBE across campus. A lot of people are nervous, but I’m happy to be a voice saying, ‘Yes, we can do this.’”

Angel Comer, Coordinating Transfer Pathways

Career and Transfer Center (CTC) Student Support Coordinator Angel Comer found a passion for higher education during a campus tour at her alma mater, Colorado State University Pueblo.

“When I went on that tour, I knew I wanted to help students discover their own path on campus,� Comer said.

In her first full year at the CTC and her third at Merced, Comer does similar work while specifically publicizing Arizona State University Online as a transfer option for ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ students. These students receive a special tuition rate thanks to the partnership. UC Merced and Stanislaus State are the college’s other transfer partners.

“We got the word out about it early this year, and we could see right away how intrigued our students were by the possibilities,� Comer said.

The CTC helps students choose how best to continue their education. The crew at the CTC likes to say they “triage what the student needs so as to give a warm, efficient handoff� of the student to a four-year university.

The CTC offers workshops, seminars, campus visits, one-on-one counseling and more to future transfers. They saw the success behind those efforts during a recent trip to San Jose State University. There they met a ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ graduate, an international student, who had recently transferred to SJSU.

“It was a full-circle moment and so rewarding to see how far she’d come,� Comer said. “It was a testament to the work we do at the CTC.�

The CTC also now offers the California Law Pathway. Cal LAW will connect students interested in law careers with orientations, counseling, transfer support, conference visits, and mentorship from instructional faculty and legal professionals in the field.

Comer, who also has a master’s in education from University of Sioux Falls, chose to work at ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ because it felt like a vibrant place to be.

“I have grown to love this community,� she said. “The students and the people, how they support students, that matched my own goals to connect students to their goals and encourage them to believe in themselves.�

Lorena Calderon, Articulation & Transfer Help

Counselor Lorena Calderon has spent the past two years as co-faculty lead in the counseling cohort, helping the college articulate general education courses so students have an easier time transferring into the University of California or California State University systems.

“I want to see our students go to impacted campuses like San Diego State or Long Beach State,� Calderon said. “I want to make sure we’re doing all we can to help our transfer students.�

Another initiative this year was establishing “Word on the Quad� days. Twice a month, counselors set up shop in the quad so students can stop for information or to have a chat.

“We always tell our students to see a counselor if they have any trouble, but our first-generation students struggle to navigate on their own,� Calderon said. “So it’s great for us to reach out to them in a more casual setting.�

Calderon, who started her career as a Los Banos High counselor, recently reconnected with one of those students who said Calderon’s steady presence was the reason she went to college.

“She’s at CSU Stanislaus studying to be a teacher,� Calderon said. “It’s gratifying.�

Calderon was that student. Her parents loved and supported her, but the practical knowledge about how to do well in college eluded her. Calderon searched for those answers at Dos Palos High and Stanislaus State.

“My pre-calculus teacher at Dos Palos, William Marroquin, encouraged me to go to college and filled in those blanks for me,� Calderon said. “When that one student of mine shared what I had done for her, it amazed me. I realized the range of people we can connect with in life who can then inspire our potential.�

Calderon, who will bring female colleagues and faculty members on the trips to the quad, reminds us how important it is for female students to see women in public-facing positions.

“They can see we’re all working towards goals that are achievable,� Calderon said. “Also, being first generation, I approach counseling by first building trust. I’m investing in their futures, so they need to feel heard and supported. But I also want them to feel brave enough to take risks and ask questions that they could never have imagined asking.�

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The ceremony included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ and the Almond Board of California, formalizing a partnership focused on agricultural innovation, workforce development and industry collaboration.

The new orchard is part of the college’s expanding agricultural “living laboratory,â€� where students gain real-world experience in crop production, processing and agricultural technology. The work is closely tied to ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ’s AgTEC initiative, which continues to draw national attention for its innovative approach to workforce training. Earlier this year, the college received the Bellwether Award for Leadership in Workforce Development recognizing its efforts to prepare students for careers in modern agriculture.

“This is the beginning of something very special on our farm,â€� ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ President Chris Vitelli said during the ceremony. “We’re building a place where students can work alongside industry, learn the technologies shaping agriculture today and prepare for the opportunities that are emerging across the Central Valley.â€�

The 10 acre almond orchard represents the first permanent crops planted as part of the long-term vision for the 60-acre ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ Farm, which is being developed as a diverse land lab reflecting the Central Valley’s agricultural landscape. Plans include additional orchards, row crops, vineyards and other production areas designed to support instruction, applied research and partnerships with industry.

Industry partners have played a key role in building the farm’s infrastructure. The almond trees were donated by Duarte Nursery, while other partners have contributed equipment, irrigation systems and technical expertise to support the development of the farm and the college’s AgTEC programs.

John Duarte, president of Duarte Nursery, said partnerships between educators and agricultural companies help show students that the industry is invested in their success.

“When companies bring the newest varieties and technologies into programs like this, it sends a powerful message to students that what they’re learning matters,� Duarte said. “It shows them that the industry cares about the education they’re receiving and that there’s a place for them in the future of agriculture.�

The event drew attendees from the Almond Board of California, Duarte Nursery, Blue Diamond Growers, UC Cooperative Extension and other agricultural partners, along with ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ trustees, administrators, faculty, classified professionals and students.

For faculty and students, the orchard will become part of a broader hands-on learning experience connected to the college’s AgTEC Innovation Center. Students will be able to grow almonds in the field, process them in the nearby facility and develop value-added products that can eventually be sold through the college’s planned farm market.

Cody Jacobsen, Dean of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, said the project reflects the college’s commitment to giving students direct experience across the agricultural value chain.

“What we’re building here is a true living classroom,� Jacobsen said. “Students won’t just study agriculture in theory — they’ll be out here in the field, growing crops, working with industry partners and seeing how the entire system connects from soil to consumer.�

Almond Board President and CEO Clarice Turner said the partnership with ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the state’s agricultural workforce while advancing sustainable farming practices.

California produces about 80 percent of the world’s almonds, Turner said, and the industry supports thousands of jobs across the state’s agricultural economy.

“This partnership represents a shared commitment to innovation, responsibility and preparing the next generation of leaders in agriculture,� Turner said. “The work happening here will help ensure that California remains a global leader in almond production and sustainable farming.�

Turner said the orchard and the broader collaboration between the Almond Board and ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ will serve as a place where students, growers and industry professionals can learn together while advancing new approaches to modern farming.

Vitelli said the partnerships forming around the college’s agricultural programs demonstrate the momentum building around the AgTEC initiative and its potential impact across the region.

“This farm is becoming a place where education, research and industry come together,â€� Vitelli said. “When our students graduate from ³Ô¹ÏÍ·Ìõ, they will have worked alongside the people and technologies shaping the future of agriculture.â€�

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