California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley along with a couple of Board of Governors and his executive staff virtually visited Norco College on November 10, meeting with faculty, students, staff and leadership to find out about college initiatives and greatest needs to better serve students during this time.
He concluded the day with a town hall meeting, where he discussed the goals outlined in the Vision for Success and the state's progress on those goals. He also presented Norco College with a $5,000 gift to support the Hunger Free Campus Program.
“Thank you for all the great work you are doing," said Oakley. “Norco College has done a good job at responding to food insecurities and appreciate you prioritizing students and providing opportunities to meet their needs."
Since August, Norco College students have received 219 weekly meals on average through the Hunger Free Campus Program. That is over 2,800 meals. In addition, the College loaned 512 laptops and hotspots to students in need.
Oakley's virtual visit to Norco College is part of a listening tour of all 116 California Community Colleges. Oakley noted that the Community College system remains firm in faith in the midst of a public health crisis, economic crisis and social justice crisis. He thanked leaders of the Riverside Community College District for the clear and unrelenting way they are serving students.
During his town hall remarks, Oakley described the Vision for Success in its most basic terms as making sure students from all backgrounds succeed in reaching their goals and improving their families and communities. He defined and then elaborated on six specific goals: increase credential obtainment by 20 percent, increase transfer by 35 percent to UC and CSU, decrease unit obtainment for a degree, increase employment for Career Education students, reduce and erase equity gaps, and eliminate regional gaps.
To learn or donate to the Hunger Free Campus Program, please contact Rosio Becerra, Interim Dean of Student Life and Norco College's homeless student liaison.
