LACCD Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez is forwarding Dr. Barry Gribbons for the approval of the LACCD Board of Trustees to serve as the next LAVC President. The Trustees will consider and approve his appointment at the Board’s August 7, 2019 meeting.

Los Angeles philanthropist Joan A. Payden has donated $500,000 to the LAVC Foundation's Steinway Piano Campaign in honor of her deceased brother William Payden, who was a faculty member and Journalism department chair at LA Valley College. In recognition of the gift, the Mainstage Theater in the forthcoming LAVC Valley Academic and Cultural Center will be renamed as the William R. Payden Theater.

Congratulations to LAVC students Diana Castro and Alexander Richardson for being awarded the 2019 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This prestigious, highly competitive national scholarship was awarded to only 61 students nationwide. The scholarship will provide them with up to $40,000 annually for a maximum of three years to complete their bachelor’s degree. Diana Castro is preparing to transfer to UCLA and plans to study World Arts & Culture. Alexander Richardson will be majoring in Astrophysics.

Los Angeles Valley College recognized years of service and outstanding employee contributions at the annual Employee Appreciation Extravaganza on May 1. The 2019 Above & Beyond Awards were presented to Dr. Elliott Coney, Jamie Holladay-Collins, Julie Mendoza-Vasquez, Rick Murray, Kimberly Robeson, and Dr. Luz Shin. In addition, Tau Alpha Epsilon presented its 2019 TAE Apple Awards to Tracey Baca, John Kawai, Chris Petrini, Laura Scott, and Shawn Smith. Congratulations!

Congratulations to the LAVC Child Development Department for being recognized with a "Certificate of Excellence" by the LACCD District Academic Senate. In addition, LAVC Child Development Professor Gloria Daims received a special recognition and award for her work as the co-chair of the Child Development District Discipline Committee.

Kimberly Robeson, LAVC assistant professor of English, has recently published a novel titled The Greek Persuasion. The LAVC Library and the LAVC Foundation Office are hosting a book launch event on Thursday, May 16 from 1:30-3 p.m. in the LAVC Library's Reading Room. All proceeds from book sales at event will be donated to the LAVC Foundation.

May is a busy month for everyone on campus, and this includes professional development! LAVC Professional Development (LAVC Prof Dev) is preparing to launch our new online professional development system called Cornerstone. An important component of the system is the Vision Resource Center, which includes Lynda.com and Skillsoft trainings and more; employees are encouraged to take advantage of this resource by creating an account with their college email address. In addition, Prof Dev is hosting Classified Appreciation Week starting the week of May 20; check your email for the latest info. Lastly, faculty are reminded that Flex Forms are due by June 5.

Attention LAVC Class of 2019 graduates! Let us share what college/university you will be transferring to for Fall 2019 on the college's two electronic marquee. If you are transferring from Valley College to a 4-year college/university for Fall 2019, please send an email request with your name, student ID number, and the name of the university/college you will be attending this Fall. The last day to submit your request is Friday, May 24.

Los Angeles Valley College has earned its eighth consecutive Tree Campus USA® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation, which is the most in California community college history. LAVC is recognized as a leader in promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. To celebrate this 2018 Tree Campus USA® achievement, students, faculty and staff are invited to the Arbor Day Celebration on April 24 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in the LAVC Student Union Plaza. This event features an award ceremony, student writing contest, tree planting, a scavenger hunt, and light refreshments.

Don't miss LAVC's Armenian Heritage on Wednesday, April 17 from 12:30-2 p.m. in the Student Services Plaza. There will a catered lunch by Armenian chefs, and musical performances by Narek Makaryan, Gagik Badalyan, Karapet Sarafyan, and Garik Hovsepyan.