South Orange County Community College District

Congratulations on this amazing milestone. Onward and Upward at ATEP!

It’s a home run for Saddleback College! Today we celebrated the grand opening of the brand-new softball field, a state-of-the-art facility that will serve our incredible student-athletes for years to come. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the ribbon-cutting and first pitch! Go Bobcats! #SaddlebackCollege #BobcatPride #GrandOpening #SoftballField #StudentAthletes #FacilitiesThatInspire Cc: Julianna Asperin Barnes Dr. Elliot Stern Marcia Milchiker Lisa Bartlett Terri Whitt

Breaking News: The South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) is pleased to announce the ground lease development of two new parcels at the Advanced Technology & Education Park (ATEP), marking a significant milestone in the district’s commitment to workforce development, innovation, and educational excellence. The parcels will be developed Victory AI Academy, LLC and Top Tennis Management, Inc., expanding ATEP’s offerings to include a K-12 private school with dormitories and a tennis academy featuring dormitories and tennis courts. These projects align with SOCCCD’s vision to foster a dynamic learning environment by bringing in world-class educational opportunities with educational partnerships. https://lnkd.in/gwhx5heD

Today, the South Orange County Community College District proudly celebrates our Chancellor, Dr. Julianna Asperin Barnes, as she is honored by Orange County Supervisor Katrina Anne Foley and the OC Board of Supervisors in recognition of Women’s History Month. Dr. Barnes was recognized for her outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to education. As a visionary and champion for equity, student success, and innovation, she continues to pave the way for future generations of women in higher education. Congratulations, Chancellor Barnes, on this well-deserved recognition! #WomensHistoryMonth #SOCCCD #LeadershipInEducation #WomenInEducation #ChancellorBarnes #OCBoardOfSupervisors #EquityInEducation #CommunityColleges #MakingHistory

The Irvine Valley College Foundation Gala at the Marconi Museum was an extraordinary evening filled with generosity, celebration, and community spirit. It was an honor to speak at this event and witness firsthand the overwhelming support for our students and programs. Thanks President Dr. John C. Hernandez and the dedication of our donors, partners, and the entire IVC community, IVC raised vital funds for scholarships and initiatives that enhance the educational experience on campus. This collective effort ensures that our students have the resources they need to excel and thrive. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who contributed to making this gala a resounding success—we are truly transforming lives through education. Pictured: Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes, Board President Carolyn Inmon, Board Vice President Ryan Dack. Trustee Tim Jemal, Trustee Marcia Milchiker. Also in attendance were Trustees Lisa Bartlett and Terri Whitt Rydell.

We are proud to announce that the South Orange County Community College District is now a Founding Partner of the Digital Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Equity! 🎉 With the Board of Trustees’ approval of the MOU and the completion of the District Participation Agreement, SOCCCD reaffirms its commitment to driving equity, innovation, and student success across the California Community Colleges system. Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes said, "This partnership will help shape the future of digital transformation in education, ensuring that technology enhances learning opportunities for all. We are excited for what’s ahead!" #SOCCCD #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #EquityInEducation #CommunityColleges #StudentSuccess

Congratulations Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes for being installed to the Orange County Business Council Board of Directors and to the Executive Committee as Co-Chair of the Workforce Development Committee. There to support were Board of Trustees Carolyn Inmon, Ryan Dack, Tim Jemal, and TJ Prendergast. Also in support were district and college administrators and staff Ann-Marie Gabel, Dr. Elliot Stern, Davit Khachatryan Chris McDonald and Desiree Ortiz. Many thanks to Jeff Ball of OCBC, Shari Battle of Bank of America, Nicole Suydam of Goodwill Orange County, and Mitch Seigel and Reuben Franco of the OC Hispanic Chamber for the support of Chancellor Barnes. Looking forward to a great year a head, full of collaboration and innovation!

Our community survey deadline has been extended to Friday, March 7. We would love to hear from you. Please take 5 minutes to respond to the survey to help with the future planning of our district.

Check out our special State of the District video featuring our caring campuses, staff who love what they do to serve students…who are the heart of our mission!

We are thrilled to share highlights from the 2nd Annual State of the District event, where our district came together to celebrate growth, achievements, and the bright future ahead. The event featured an insightful address from Chancellor Julianna Asperin Barnes who shared the district’s vision for innovation and excellence in education. We also had an engaging panel discussion with Saddleback College President Dr. Elliot Stern and IVC President Dr. John C. Hernandez, who provided valuable insights on how our campuses are shaping the future of higher education. We were honored to be joined by several esteemed elected officials, including or Board of Trustees with President Carolyn Inmon, Vice President Ryan Dack and Trustees Tim Jemal, Marcia Milchiker, Lisa Bartlett and Terri Whitt Rydell. • The office of Congressman Dave Min • The office of Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris • Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Anne Foley • Mayor of Irvine Larry Agran Their support and commitment to our district are instrumental in advancing our mission to serve students and the community. It’s an exciting time for SOCCCD, and I’m proud to be part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking community. Looking forward to continuing our collective efforts in empowering students and enhancing education across the district. #SOCCCD #StateOfTheDistrict #HigherEd #CommunityLeadership #InnovationInEducation #ChancellorBarnes #SaddlebackCollege #IrvineValleyCollege #EducationExcellence #LocalLeadership #CommunityImpact