Dear Friends,
May is the month when things begin to bloom.
It is a busy month at LAVC, with multiple events commemorating LAVC student achievement. This month, the Foundation hosts its annual Scholarship Ceremony, acknowledging the more than 200 students who will be receiving an award this year.
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In addition, May is the month of LAVC's Transfer Alliance Program Dinner, which celebrates first-time college students who transfer to a four-year college or university. Both events recognize academic achievement. If you would like to attend either event, please email me at schmitag@lavc.edu.
This past month, LAVC's Urban Forest Committee commemorated Arbor Day by planting a tree in Monarch Square, as pictured above. This tree will provide shade, clean air, a home for native wildlife and natural beauty to our campus. Planting trees is a unique way to honor the future by taking action today.
Individuals who donate their time and resources to the college know they are planting 'seeds' of opportunity for the next generation of students. The Foundation is always looking for volunteers to serve on our Board, or on the new Patrons of the Arts Association, which will provide support for the Arts at LAVC. With the opening of the new Valley Academic and Cultural Center, there will be more opportunities for arts engagement with the greater community. Please email me at schmitag@lavc.edu to learn more.
Finally, if you have an LAVC story you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you! We have featured several alumni stories on our social media and in our Annual Report. Come back to Valley and tell your story! You can do so here.
Thank you,
Andrea Schmitt
Executive Director
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Faculty Profile: Nursing Chair
Dr. Preetha Puthiakunnel
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Born and raised in India, Dr. Puthiakunnel began her career as a registered nurse before pursuing her master's degree in nursing and a doctorate in education. Her years of bedside experience built the foundation for her teaching philosophy today: to educate with both skill and heart. “Nursing isn’t just about medical knowledge,” she says. “It’s about empathy, critical thinking, and the courage to advocate for others, qualities our students naturally possess and continue to strengthen here at Valley.”
Dr. Puthiakunnel’s leadership has helped shape LAVC’s Nursing Program into one of the most respected in the region. She emphasizes hands-on learning, simulation labs, and mentoring that prepare students to excel in high-demand healthcare settings. “Our goal is not only to teach technical skills but to nurture confident, ethical professionals who make a difference from day one,” she explains. “When students succeed, when they pass the NCLEX, find their first job, or comfort a patient, it’s a victory for all of us.”
Her colleagues describe her as a calm and inspiring presence, always encouraging collaboration and continuous improvement. She often reminds her students that their compassion is their greatest strength: “You can teach anyone to give an injection, but not everyone knows how to truly care. That’s what sets Valley nurses apart.”
Many LAVC nursing graduates serve in local hospitals, clinics, and public health centers. When asked what keeps her inspired, Dr. Puthiakunnel responded: “Every student who walks through our doors has a dream, to help others, to give back, to build a better life. My job is to make sure they believe they can.”
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LAVC Speech & Debate Earns
National Recognition
| | Pictured from left to right: LAVC Speech & Debate Team’s Amna Shah, Bree Hatcher, Amy Llamas, Arpi Danielyan, Jasmine Varkey, and Emily Merino. | | |
The Los Angeles Valley College Speech and Debate Team achieved outstanding success at the 2026 Phi Rho Pi National Forensics Competition in Washington, D.C., bringing home four individual awards along with a team trophy. Student Award Recipients included:
- Arpi Danielyan - Gold Medal, International Public Debate (IPDA)
- Amy Llamas - Silver Medal, IPDA
- Amna Shah - Silver Medal, IPDA
- Amna Shah & Arpi Danielyan - Bronze Medal, Parliamentary Debate
In addition to these individual honors, the team earned a Team Trophy in Debate Sweepstakes. Phi Rho Pi hosts the nation’s premier forensics tournament for community colleges. LAVC’s Speech & Debate Team has proudly participated since the 1970s, building a legacy of excellence that includes national championship titles in 1999, 2008, and 2009.
| | Pictured Left to Right: Arts Media and Design Dean Dr. Carmen Dominguez, Media Arts Department Chair Chad Sustin, Theatre and Dance Chair Jennifer Read, Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Facilities Executive Dr. Leigh Sata, LACCD Board 2nd Vice President Steve Veres, LACCD Chancellor Dr. Alberto Roman, LAVC President Dr. Barry Gribbons, LACCD Board President Sara Hernandez, LACCD Board 1st Vice President Andra Hoffman, LACCD Trustee Dr. Gabriel Buelna, LAVC Journalism student Kaia Mann, Journalism Chair Bill Dauber, and LAVC Student Tyler Oni Saisrinal. | | On April 29, LAVC celebrated the long-awaited opening of the college's new Valley Academic & Cultural Center. The 118,000 square foot state-of-the-art performing arts and media facility is designed to provide students with hands-on experience for careers in the performing arts, will expand opportunities for learning, creativity, and community engagement. | |
Criminal Justice Attorneys
address POPP Students
| | LAVC Alumnus Norman Wegener, recently retired from the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, and Los Angeles Alternate Public Defender Michael Schensul | | Last week, senior and junior cadets from LAVC's Police Orientation and Preparedness Program learned about what to expect when engaging with the criminal justice system as a law enforcement professional. The two visiting attorneys discussed how each office interacts with law enforcement during case preparation and how to prepare if called to testify in trial. The discussion also covered ethics, difficult cases, and technological changes in evidence gathering including the use of body cameras. | | |
The LAVC Theater & Dance Department invite you to Valley Dances 2026, an evening of new and original dance works in a variety of styles, featuring faculty, student, and guest choreographers. It will be the first student performance in the Valley Academic & Cultural Center's Payden Theatre.
Performances will be held Thursday-Friday, May 14-15 at 7:30 p.m. &
Saturday, May 16 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.
| | Thank you to our President's Circle Member: | | Get the latest news and highlights by following us on social media. | | | | |
