Pasadena Area Community College District Board Meets

The Pasadena Area Community College District (PACCD) Board of Trustees convened Wednesday.

The Board, which governs Pasadena City College, began the meeting by swearing in Trustees James Aragon, Tammy Silver, and Ryan Liu. Subsequently, Trustees Alton Wang, Steve Gibson, and Ryan Liu were elevated to key leadership positions, with Wang elected as Board President, Gibson as Vice President, and Liu confirmed as Board Clerk.

Outgoing president Kristine Kwong was recognized for her service and presented with a ceremonial gavel which was described as symbolizing a smooth transition of governance.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a study session on the update to the Facilities Master Plan approved in 2020.

The strategic update aims to optimize campus facilities with the stated objective of fostering an enriched learning environment that supports students’ academic, personal, and professional growth.

Regular updates to the Master Plan are necessitated, involving extensive consultations with the campus community.

Representatives from LAist/KPCC provided an update on internship programs conducted in partnership with the college. Doug Johnson, vice president of technology and operations at Southern California Public Radio, highlighted stories of students who utilized these internships at KPCC to advance their careers.

In recognition of the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Board passed a resolution designating April 2024 as Armenian Heritage Month, commemorating a significant historical event and celebrating the resilience and beauty of Armenian culture.

The Board also resolved to establish a transition committee to guide PCC’s transition to the next permanent Superintendent/President.

Additionally, the Board approved several programs such as the Board orientation program and student travel programs.

Three students will travel with an instructor to San Francisco for the annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, and PCC’s Dana Club, the college’s oldest club, will conduct a field study of the geology in the Palm Springs area.