South Orange County Community College District

SOCCCD was honored to join the Orange County Business Council's First Responders Dinner to recognize first responders and frontline professionals who protect and serve the businesses, residents, and visitors of Orange County. Many thanks to Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes, President Tim Jemal, Clerk Carolyn Inmon, Trustee Ryan Dack and Trustee T.J. Prendergast for joining along with our very own first responders from Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College. Throughout the evening, we heard powerful stories from those who are called to serve, which reaffirmed that through their commitment, Orange County can preserve its standard of living and vibrant economy.

In the midst of the ongoing fire, let’s also take a moment to remember that today is September 11. 23 years ago, the world changed as our nation faced a terrorist attack where many lives were lost. Both Saddleback College and Irvine Valley College will honor those lost with observations on campus today. I encourage everyone to pause today to reflect on and honor those who lost their lives. Moments like this allow us to reconnect and appreciate each other. September 11 also provides an opportunity to honor our brave first responders who continually put their lives on the line every day to protect our community. #neverforget

News Release: SOCCCD Announces Exciting New Development with Advantech at ATEP! President of the Board Tim Jemal said, "Advantech’s new headquarters represents a major milestone for the South Orange County Community College District and the Advanced Technology & Education Park. This project not only highlights our commitment to develop ATEP as a premier public-private partnership campus but also underscores our dedication to providing valuable educational and career opportunities for our students.” Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes added, “We are excited to welcome Advantech to our community. Their investment in ATEP aligns with our mission to support innovation and education in STEM fields. The partnership will also enhance our educational programs by providing our students with invaluable career coaching, internships, and job placements.” #publicprivatepartnerships #economicdevelopment #workforceopportunities #interships #externships #fellowships #mentoring #careercoaching #studentsuccess #communitycolleges

During last night's board meeting, the Trustees recognized the Irvine Valley College (IVC) Honors Program with a special certificate and heard from faculty as well as alumni of the program. The Irvine Valley College Honors Program was established in 2003 and has continued to maintain an outstanding reputation for academic excellence and plays a key role in nurturing academic, professional, and personal growth in highly motivated students from all backgrounds. In the last four years, the IVC Honors Program has doubled in membership, with 960 members currently; it is the largest Honors Program among all Orange County community colleges. The program currently offers 55 approved Honors courses, all of which feature a smaller class size and a range of enrichments including higher-level critical thinking and a heavy emphasis on research. Honors courses are open to all students. Keep up the great work Irvine Valley College! #Honors #StudentSuccess #CommunityCollege #Research CC: Tim Jemal Julianna Asperin Barnes Carolyn Inmon Ryan Dack Dr. John C. Hernandez Rick Miranda Sharla C.

Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes just released her 2024 fall welcome video. She shares with the SOCCCD community her excitement to highlight Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College accomplishments as well as the development of the District Strategic Plan 2030! #SOCCCD #ChancellorBarnes #communitycollege #IVC #Saddleback #strategicplan #studentsuccess #education #fall2024 #fallsemester

Welcome back students!

Orientation Day for hundreds of new students attending Saddleback College. Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes, and Vice Chancellor Cindy Vyskocil and her HR team are showing Bobcat Spirit! #studentsuccess #fallsemester

Our colleges are amazing! Click the link to learn why and read what President of the Board Tim Jemal and Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes had to say about Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College earning top rankings in a recent WalletHub report. “This recognition affirms our district’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that empowers students to reach their full potential,” said Tim Jemal, President of the SOCCCD Board of Trustees. “We will continue to invest in innovative programs and resources that support our students’ academic and professional success.” “We are incredibly proud of Irvine Valley College and Saddleback College for their exceptional rankings in this comprehensive study,” said Julianna M. Asperin Barns, Chancellor of the South Orange County Community College District. “These results underscore the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, and students who strive every day to achieve academic excellence and create pathways to successful careers.”

We are so proud of the commitment that Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes shows to SOCCCD and our students but also how she expands that commitment beyond the borders of our community. The Community College League of California just posted a message in recognition of Dr. Asperin Barnes' year of service as League Board Chair and CEOCCC President and we wholeheartedly agree. Thank you for all you do to champion student support, equity, and service!

Did you know WalletHub ranked Irvine Valley College #1 and Saddleback College #5 in California in their latest report?that compared 650 community colleges in the country using factors such as cost and quality? That's right, SOCCCD colleges are ranked in the top percentile of best community colleges in America! This story is buzzing across news waves, but check out a recent feature on KTLA. #Best #CommunityCollege #Value #StudentsFirst CC: Julianna Asperin Barnes Tim Jemal Carolyn Inmon Terri Whitt