Staff Report

Allan Hancock College students will get the chance to earn $10,000 next fall in exchange for completing 450 hours of volunteer service with local nonprofits and government agencies under a new state program.

Hancock is one of 45 colleges and universities selected to participate in the new California College Corps, a service-based college opportunity program that seeks to help California college students pay for school, reduce student debt and serve their communities.

“We are very excited to take part in this new and promising program,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “The California College Corps will offer Hancock students yet another opportunity to change their odds while they gain valuable experience and make a difference in their community and state.”

The College Corps, set to launch this fall, will provide participating students with service opportunities in critical issue areas such as climate action, K-12 education and COVID-19 recovery. Students who complete a year of service will receive $10,000, which includes a $7,000 stipend and a $3,000 education award for completing 450 service hours.

The 45 campuses participating in the program represent University of California, California State University, community college and private university systems. All were selected as program participants via a competitive grant application process. Other Central Coast colleges participating in the program include Cuesta College and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Hancock will provide information to students regarding how to qualify and apply for the program later this spring via the college’s website and student’s myHancock email. To learn more about the California College Corps program, visit https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/californiansforall-college-corps.

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Registration for summer and fall 2021 classes is open at Allan Hancock College.

This summer, Hancock is offering more than 200 classes that run for six-to-eight weeks that started June 14. The college is offering nearly 1,000 fall classes starting Aug. 16. Tuition fees are set by the state at $46 per unit for California residents.

Hancock will continue to support students in summer and fall with a wide array of support services including financial aid, emergency funds for pandemic-related hardships, tutoring, laptop and textbook lending, zero-cost textbook classes, and more.

Students with questions about registration and available student services are encouraged to take advantage of the AHC Welcome Center, where they can chat live online with helpful Hancock staff. The Welcome Center is available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To learn more about summer and fall classes, and to register for classes, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/summerfall.

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Hancock College Board of Trustees President Larry Lahr officially resigned from his position on the board, effective April 23, after more than 26 years of service to the college and its students.  

Lahr announced his intent to resign during the board’s April 20 regular meeting, explaining that he was moving outside the area he represented as a trustee.  

“The college is being left in good hands and in good shape,” Lahr said. “I have full confidence in my colleagues on the board and the college’s staff, faculty and administration. I know that Hancock will continue to prosper and improve in my absence.”

Lahr was elected to his first four-year term as a Hancock trustee in 1994. During his tenure, Lahr served as president of the board in 2000-01, 2006-07, 2013-14, and from 2020 until his resignation. He also served as vice president in 1998-99, 2004-05, 2011-12, and 2018-19. He attended Hancock College before earning a bachelor’s degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in agricultural business management.

“Larry Lahr epitomizes what it means to be a public servant,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “He is known for having a sharp eye for finances, but his focus has always been to ensure students come first in every decision we make.” 

Lahr represented Area 3, which includes southwestern Santa Maria and Guadalupe.

The college’s Board of Trustees was to announce a process to fill the vacant seat at their next monthly meeting on May 11.

To learn more about the board, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/board

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Allan Hancock College now offers five new fun and educational videos as part of its free Bulldog Bound program for local youth in the fifth and sixth grades. The videos allow children, their teachers and parents to watch demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities taught by Hancock faculty. All videos are available on Hancock’s YouTube page free of charge.

“We transitioned these activities from in-person to a video format in the fall of 2020, and are very pleased with the response,” said Bulldog Bound Coordinator Maggie Moreton. “We are very happy that we can continue this program that not only provides local children with engaging learning activities, but also fosters a college-going culture among our elementary school students.”

Children can learn about rocketry and math with the “PI Pups” video, practice stretching and basic dance moves with “Dance Dogs,” solve a Sherlock Holmes-like detective mystery with “Baker Street Bulldogs,” and more.

The Bulldog Bound program fosters a college-going culture among local elementary school children by introducing them to the programs of study and opportunities available at Hancock. Bulldog Bound also helps children and their parents learn more about the Hancock Promise, which guarantees the first year at AHC tuition and fee-free for students who graduate from a high school within the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District.

“The workshops and demonstrations are a great introduction to what we do at Hancock and gives kids a chance to explore their own interests,” said Moreton. “We want these students to see all the possibilities available to them at Hancock.”

For more information on the Bulldog Bound program, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/promise/bulldogbound.

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Allan Hancock College will continue to offer the majority of its spring classes in a remote format, ensuring the health and safety of students, faculty and employees. Remote format allows students to continue their educational studies through Zoom and online learning.

The decision to continue to offer spring classes remotely was made in consultation with multiple college stakeholders and follows the college’s pandemic plan, which was supported by Hancock’s Board of Trustees in June. While most classes will remain remote, some lab and career technical education (CTE) classes will be held in-person in a safe, socially-distanced manner, adhering to state and county protocols.

“The safety of our students, employees and community continues to be at the forefront as we prepare for spring,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “The decision to continue a remote teaching modality reflects a phased and measured approach to reopening that will keep Hancock healthy while continuing to provide a quality education to our students.”

As remote classes have continued through the  fall of 2020, Hancock expanded support for students, offering in-person services, laptop lending, virtual counseling, online tutoring, emergency funding, and a wide array of additional programs and services to assist with the transition to remote learning and mitigate impacts of the pandemic. Hancock’s services include counseling, financial aid assistance, help with registration and much more.

“Our students have shown amazing resilience during this difficult time, and we want them to know that Hancock is here to help them in any way we can,” said Walthers. “We want them to take full advantage of the robust student services available to them.”

Priority registration starts Nov. 2 and open registration begins on Nov. 7. Winter classes begin Dec. 14 and spring classes start on Jan. 19. Students may contact the Registration Hotline at 1-805-922-6966 ext. 3248 for questions or assistance with registering for classes.

To access the online class listing, visit www.hancockcollege.edu, select Admissions & Records, and choose Class Search to look for courses that will be offered.

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Parents and students can significantly reduce the cost of college attendance by taking advantage of free “Cash for College” workshops beginning this October.

The Central Coast Cal-SOAP Consortium at Allan Hancock College and Cuesta College are co-sponsoring a series of virtual workshops to help students and parents complete and submit financial aid forms that could result in students being awarded thousands of dollars for college.

There will be a total of 30 Cash for College workshops. The workshops began in early October and will run through February 2021. Spanish-speaking staff will be available at all virtual events.

The free virtual workshops are intended for high school seniors and their parents. The application process takes about one hour to complete.

At each workshop, staff will be available to help students fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or a California Dream Act application. Students will also be able to apply for state and federal grants, including a Cal Grant, which offers cash for college and does not have to be repaid.

Students can find the free FAFSA application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and the California Dream Act application at www.caldreamact.org.The Cal Grant GPA verification form is available at www.csac.ca.gov, but students should check with their high school counselor before submitting the form. Because counselors are required to complete part of this form, some high schools may submit a Cal Grant GPA verification for the student. Both forms must be postmarked and sent to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2, 2021.

Those planning to attend a workshop should bring the following information and items with them:

• Completed income tax forms from 2019 for parents and high school seniors, including
• W2’s
• Student’s and parent’s Social Security Number (if available)
• Records of untaxed income such as welfare benefits (optional)
• Social Security benefits, or child support payments
• Bank statements (optional)
• Business records (optional)
• Permanent resident or DACA card (if a student is not a U.S. citizen)
• A list of colleges the student is interested in attending

In addition to grants, the FAFSA and California Dream Act applications may also provide an opportunity for low-interest loans. Current high school seniors, college students and any adult 18 years of age or older interested in attending college should apply to be considered for grants and scholarships.

The Middle Class Scholarship is also available for families with incomes and assets up to $177,000. To be eligible, students must complete a FAFSA by the March 2 deadline and enroll at a UC or CSU campus.

To view upcoming virtual workshop dates and reserve a spot at a Cash for College visit https://www.hancockcollege.edu/calsoap/workshops.php or call 1- 805-922-6966 ext. 3710.

For additional information on Cal Grants, log on to http://www.calgrants.org or call toll-free 888-CA-GRANT (224-7268).

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Allan Hancock College is inviting new students to learn more about the college at its first completely virtual “Hancock Hello” event next week.

 This year, Hancock Hello will take place live online via Zoom on Wednesday, June 10, from 4 – 7 p.m. and will be free for all first-time Hancock students and their parents.

“Hancock Hello is a chance for AHC to give its newest Bulldog students a warm welcome and connect them with the information and resources they will need to be successful,” said Hancock President/Superintendent Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “College students are facing new and unprecedented challenges in their lives and we want them to know that Hancock will be here to help them stay on track and feel supported from day one all the way through to their graduation day.”  

During this year’s Hancock Hello, participating students will get the chance to take a self-guided virtual tour of the college’s Santa Maria campus and take part in several virtual workshops that will teach them how to access important information, support services and student services at Hancock. Workshops will be available in English and Spanish. This year’s workshops include “Start Here, Transfer to a Four-Year,” “Promise Step 3: New Student Orientation,” “Financial Aid: Show Me the Money,” “Career Center Orientation” and many more.

Traditionally, Hancock Hello events are held in-person at the Hancock’s Santa Maria campus, but the event was transitioned to a remote format this year to ensure student health and safety and promote social distancing. More than 1,000 students participated in last year’s in-person Hancock Hello event.

Students can register to attend Hancock Hello at bit.ly/HancockHello2020. Registering students are also encouraged to take a short survey for a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to Zoe’s Hawaiian BBQ.

This year, Hancock is offering summer and fall classes remotely. Registration for summer and fall classes is ongoing. Summer classes start June 15 and fall classes start Aug. 17. To register for classes, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/summerfall.

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Nearly a year after announcing a historic partnership, Hancock College and the University of La Verne will be offering three on-site bachelor’s degree programs for the fall 2019 term on Hancock’s Santa Maria campus. 

“This partnership gives our students access to affordable four-year degrees, something that’s been a big need in our community,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers. “With these three degree programs on campus, our students now have access to a high-quality university education that will prepare them for meaningful careers.”

Registration is still open for the fall term, which will allow qualifying Hancock students and alumni to earn bachelor’s degrees in public administration, business administration or organizational management. Cohorts for each program are required to enroll at least 20 students.

“We’ve been actively recruiting students for all three programs, with business administration and organizational management being the most popular,” said University of La Verne Senior Executive Director Kitt Vincent. “We have conducted information sessions, worked with both the City of Santa Maria and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, and met individually with a large number of prospects.” 

As part of the agreement with La Verne, students who complete at least two semesters at Hancock will also be eligible for a 50 percent discount on tuition.

Hancock students and alumni can apply to the onsite programs or any other University of La Verne academic programs at laverne.edu/apply.

Fourteen recruits graduated from Hancock’s CORE Custody Academy on June 14.

Fourteen recruits graduate from Hancock’s Core Custody Academy

Fourteen recruits graduated from Hancock’s CORE Custody Academy on June 14 during a ceremony held at the college’s Public Safety Training Complex in Lompoc.

The six-week academy is designed to prepare students mentally, morally, emotionally and physically to work as correctional officers.

This year, 13 of the academy graduates will go on to work as custody deputies for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Bill Brown delivered the graduation’s keynote address. 

“The training you have received is as good as it gets, and that training has prepared you for the road ahead,” said Brown. “You will need healthy doses of compassion, patience and courage.”

Several of the graduates received awards and recognition for their achievements in the academy. Jessica Standefer, who was selected as the class valedictorian, spoke about the deep bond forged between the recruits as they made their way through the academy.

“If there came a moment when I’d have to put my life on the line for the other members of this academy, I would do so without hesitation because I know that they would do the same for me,” she said.

This year’s graduates are Jose Alejo, Dylan Darga, Nancy Garibay, Pedro Giron-Hernandez, Valerie Guzman, Ryan Hawkins, Hugo Hernandez, Tyler McKenna-Gofigan, Andrew Naten, Miguel Ortiz, Mario Rivera-Contreras, Miguel Rodriguez, Jessica Standefer and Gage Vargas.

Heidi Mendiola is sworn in as Hancock College’s new student trustee.

Hancock Board welcomes new student trustee

The Hancock College Board of Trustees has welcomed Heidi Mendiola as its newest student trustee. She was formally sworn in by Hancock Associate Superintendent/Vice President of Academic Affairs Robert Curry during the board’s meeting on June 11.

Mendiola was raised in Santa Maria and comes from a family of six. She graduated from Righetti High School in 2017.

She is studying sociology and plans to transfer to a four-year university to study criminal justice after she graduates from Hancock. Prior to being elected as a student trustee, Mendiola served as the executive director of the college’s Associated Student Body Government Board.

As a student trustee, Mendiola said, her goals include improving the college experience for students, encouraging and increasing student involvement, and making positive changes on both the Santa Maria and Lompoc campuses.

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The Community Environmental Council has received $116,000 from Cal Recycle to feed hungry students at Santa Barbara City College and Hancock College as part of an innovative food rescue program that is also intended to help the region reduce waste and fight climate change.

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) coordinates SBC Food Rescue, a collaborative food recovery network for Santa Barbara County with support from private, public and nonprofit sectors.

CEC’s partnership with the two local community colleges will create more opportunities for the Foodbank and businesses with excess food, such as supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and caterers, to safely provide donations to students who are struggling with food insecurity.

It will also keep an estimated 84,000 pounds of food out of the landfill.

“This grant provides a great collaborative opportunity to redirect excess food to those in need,” said Sigrid Wright, CEO/executive director for the CEC.

“Keeping edible food out of the landfill while increasing access to sufficient nutritious food is a key component of our efforts to build a sustainable, healthy food system,” Wright said.

The grant funds will help extend the reach of the SBC Food Rescue program, which already has participation from a number of local organizations and businesses.

“The SBCC Food Pantry currently serves over 3,500 students per semester with food from the Santa Barbara Food Bank and our campus permaculture gardens,” said Rachel Johnson, director of grants for the SBCC Foundation. “This grant will equip us to give away prepared foods safely as well, meaning students get fed and that food doesn’t end up in the garbage. ”

Some $40,000 in funding will allow SBCC to upgrade its food pantry with reinforced flooring to accommodate new refrigerators, additional storage racks, and new air conditioning units.

At Hancock, the Culinary Arts & Management Program will focus on rescuing food from local restaurants in areas where municipal organic waste collection and recycling are not available, by forming partnerships and providing equipment and training.

“Allan Hancock College culinary students will take food from both local restaurants and the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County and then prepare and distribute it to students in need,” said LeeAnne McNulty, Hancock College director of grants.

“The college will use the grant funds for food packaging equipment, a trailer and insulated bags for transportation, thermometers to ensure food safety, promotion and training materials, student worker funding, and compostable service items,” she said. “We are very excited to help our students with food insecurities through these new tools.”

California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has awarded $11 million in grants to 36 projects throughout the state that prevent waste, fight climate change, and distribute good food to Californians who need it.

When food is sent to the landfill, it decomposes and produces methane — a greenhouse gas that is more potent than carbon dioxide.

In Santa Barbara County, 50 percent of low-income households deal with food insecurity, and community college students are among those who lack access to adequate, healthy food.

According to the results of the California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey released in March, half of the nearly 40,000 California community college students who responded were “food insecure” in the prior 30 days.

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