Newsletter June 2026

Dear Friends,

It's time to Make Your Mark at LAVC! The Foundation invites you to build a lasting legacy at Los Angeles Valley College with a commemorative engraved brick. This is a perfect way to honor an LAVC graduate or recognize a cherished campus community member or loved one.

Bricks will be placed along Alumni Walkway, located in the heart of campus near the Aquatics Center. All proceeds support the LAVC Foundation's mission to support student success, lifelong learning, and enriching the lives of the diverse community of Los Angeles Valley College.

As we approach the end of the academic year, the Foundation would like to Congratulate LAVC's Class of 2026 and wish them the best in their future endeavors. Whether it's transferring to a four-year institution or entering the workforce, it has been our honor to serve these students, and we look forward to remaining in touch with them as they transition into alumni.

Once a Monarch, always a Monarch! We wish you success wherever your dreams may take you.

Thank you,

Andrea Schmitt

Executive Director

Student Spotlight: Markasia Broadnax

For Markasia Broadnax, Los Angeles Valley College became the place where she began building a different future for her family. When Markasia first came to LAVC, she was a stay-at-home mother with big dreams but an unclear direction. She chose LAVC because it was close to her daughter’s school and connected to the Child Development Program, which offered support for her toddler son, Noah. Like many student parents, she needed childcare in order to pursue her academic goals. At the time, she was interested in real estate, investing, and owning a business, but she was still trying to understand what path was meant for her.

Her beginning was not easy. When Noah started school, he often got sick, and there were times Markasia had to bring him with her to in-person classes so she would not fall behind. Instead of feeling judged, she found understanding. Her professors supported her, and that support helped her keep going during a challenging season of motherhood, school, and uncertainty.

A turning point came when she met Professor Kendrick Kim. He helped Markasia discover her passion for real estate and encouraged her to take all the classes LAVC's Business Department offered. “I’m extremely grateful to have met him,” she said, “and thankful he saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself.”

In spring 2026 Markasia will be graduating with an Associate's Degree in Business Administration, a degree in real estate, property management certificate, and a real estate certificate from LAVC. She has already earned her real estate license and has closed a few transactions. She will be transferring to California State University, Northridge in the fall.

Celebrating Scholarship Recipients

Pictured from left to right:

Andrii Lysak, Debopriyo Ghosh, Jasmine Varkey, Neo Cheewin and WuDi Davis

On May 14th, the LAVC Foundation celebrated the 2026 Scholarship Recipients with a celebration in Monarch Hall that brought together students, families, donors, faculty and staff. After remarks by LAVC President Dr. Barry Gribbons, LAVC Professor Jack Condon, and scholarship recipients Hien Huyhn and Jeremiah Jahi, students received individual recognition during the ceremony. This year, the Foundation awarded 165 scholarships totaling $130,450 for the spring scholarship cycle.

If you would like to learn how to support LAVC's scholarship program, please visit this page or contact Ronya Waters at watersre@lavc.edu.

Performances begin at the

Valley Academic and Cultural Center

CJ Taylor, Edgar Josue Munoz Garcia, Samantha D Keil and Lina Agrello perform in the Shoebox Theatre. Photo credit: Samantha Jo Jaffray

The LAVC Theatre and Dance Department was excited to present their first productions in the new Valley Academic and Cultural Center last month. The first was The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in late April, followed by Valley Dances 2026 in May.

"One of the best parts of this semester was watching students see the theatre for the first time. Their excitement was palpable as they stepped into the beautiful facilities, you could almost hear them thinking 'we get to dance here?'" said Liz Casebolt, LAVC's Professor of Dance. "The state-of-the-art rehearsal studios and theatres will give our students many professional level opportunities and help them on their creative and academic journeys, and we are so fortunate that LAVC has chosen to uplift and support the Performing Arts."

Back: Isabella Rosas

Front, Left to Right: Jocelyn Tapia Gaviño, John Orap, Alma Sanchez, Kacey Azucar, Johana Monterosso, Eva Baños

Photo credit: Ernesto Galarza/Courtesy of the Department of Theatre and Dance

Cybersecurity Center Established

LAVC Cybersecurity Professor Mario Perez, Interim Vice-President of Academic Affairs Dr. Jenna Cole, Congresswoman Luz Rivas, and LAVC President Dr. Barry Gribbons.

Left to Right: LAVC Cybersecurity Professor Mario Perez, Interim Vice-President of Academic Affairs Dr. Jenna Cole, Congresswoman Luz Rivas, and LAVC President Dr. Barry Gribbons.

California Congresswoman Luz Rivas presented $1 million in federal funding to Los Angeles Valley College for the creation of a Cybersecurity Center. The goal is to expand the college’s existing Cybersecurity Program into a training and innovation hub to train future workers. This is to support California’s initiative to train 50,000 entry-level cybersecurity professionals by 2030.

TAP/Transfer Alliance

Recognition Celebration

Derrick Kamara and Sasha Zeven, who have been accepted for transfer at UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and UCLA.

LAVC's Annual TAP/Transfer Alliance Celebration recognized students who have completed an AA-For-Transfer to a Four-Year College or University. Pictured above: Derrick Kamara and Sasha Zeven, who have been accepted for transfer at UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and UCLA.

Donate to the LAVC Foundation

It's now easier than ever to support the Foundation

with a gift of stock or via a Donor Advised Fund!

For more information, please click here.

Thank you to our President's Circle Member:

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