Los Rios Alumni Collective Newsletter – Winter 2024
Dear Los Rios Alumni,
Season's Greetings from Los Rios!
As we deck the halls and sip on hot cocoa, we want to take a moment to celebrate YOU! Thank you for being part of the Los Rios family. This year-end wrap-up highlights the incredible achievements and milestones across our four colleges—American River College (ARC), Cosumnes River College (CRC), Folsom Lake College (FLC), and Sacramento City College (SCC).
2024 was a year to remember! Together, we celebrated countless successes, expanded our alumni network, and deepened the bonds that make the Los Rios experience so special. Whether you’ve been connected for years or just recently joined the alumni community, your journey inspires us all.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we step into the new year, we’re excited about opportunities to reconnect, grow, and support one another. Let’s make 2024 a year of more accomplishments, meaningful connections, and shared joy!
Stay Connected
- Follow us: Be part of the conversation by joining us on your college's social media platform.
- Get involved: Check out upcoming alumni events and opportunities to engage with your alma mater.
- Share your story: We love hearing about the amazing things you’re doing—drop us a note to be featured in future updates!
May your holidays be as bright as your Los Rios journey and your new year filled with growth and success.
From all of us at the ARC, CRC, FLC, and SCC Alumni Associations, thank you for being an integral part of our community.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Victoria Austin
Regional Director of Philanthropy - SCC
Kirsten DuBray
Regional Director of Philanthropy - ARC
Michele Steiner
Regional Director of Philanthropy - CRC/FLC
Los Rios Partners with K-16 in the Sacramento Region
The Sacramento Regional K-16 Collaborative, a partnership between the area’s school districts and colleges, announced a new data-sharing agreement between Elk Grove Unified School District, the Sacramento County Office of Education, Los Rios Community College District, Sacramento State, and UC Davis.
Read the Full Story from EdSource
Los Rios Artificial Intelligence Summit - The Videos
Members of the Los Rios community joined together at Folsom Lake College on Friday, November 15, for the inaugural Los Rios AI³ Summit: “Artificial Intelligence. Academic Integrity. Authentic Inquiry.” This collaborative gathering of faculty, student services professionals, and student leaders participated in a day of activities where participants learned from each other, came to better understand and articulate their needs related to artificial intelligence, and laid the groundwork for a path forward. Couldn’t attend? Videos of many of the sessions are available to view.
A Heart-Warming Thank You from our Scholarship Recipients!
LRCF's 2024 scholarship recipients sent a big "Thank You!" to the generous donors who made these scholarships possible. Their support and encouragement help Los Rios scholars pursue individual goals and build brighter futures. They make a difference!
We are overwhelmed with gratitude! This #GivingTuesday, your incredible generosity helped us raise almost $28,000 to support basic needs at our four colleges. Because of you, we can address critical needs such as food, housing, and other essential resources for our students to those who need them most. Your compassion reminds us of the power of coming together to make a difference. From all of us at ARC, CRC, FLC, and SCC, thank you for believing in our mission and for standing with us this #GivingTuesday.
One Alumna's Commitment to Diversity at American River College
For American River College alumna Diane Bryant, the opportunity to name the new STEM building at ARC was deeply personal. Reflecting on her career and the pivotal moment when the college reached out to her, she shared how her career and dedication to increasing diversity in the STEM field led to support for a new campus building—one designed to inspire future generations of students.
Having her name on a building wasn’t on Diane Bryant’s radar. "It never crossed my mind," she said, recalling the surprise of being contacted by ARC’s president and the Chancellor of the Los Rios Community College District. The two shared their vision for a new building dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and asked for her involvement to bring the project to life.
Upon the completion of the Diane Bryant STEM Building, ARC embarked on the “Expanding Minds Unleashing Careers” capital campaign for Career Technical Education. The new Tech Ed building will house the following degree and certificate programs: Automotive, Electronics, Electrician Trainee, Energy (Solar), Design and Engineering Technology, Funeral Services and Welding. It will also house the Design Hub, Maker Space and Maker Space/Prototyping areas.
CRC Athletic Excellence
The academic excellence of Cosumnes River student-athletes continued in the Spring 2024 semester as 139 student-athletes from nine sports compiled a 3.189 grade point average in data released by Cosumnes River Athletics. The department streak of grading periods with a GPA above 3.0 is impressive and now spans nine consecutive semesters spanning the last five academic years. 89 student-athletes were recognized as CRC Scholar-Athletes for attaining a 3.0 GPA, enrolled in 12 or more units, and competed during the 2023-2024 academic year.
The elite level of academic achievement for Cosumnes River Athletics has truly been across-the-board in recent years. Five varsity sports had a team GPA over 3.0. The highest team GPA for the Spring 2024 grading period came from women's beach volleyball with a 3.595 mark, while the top five teams also included baseball (3.466), softball (3.337), women's volleyball (3.159), and women's soccer (3.124).
FLC's Oak Hall Construction Remains on Schedule
The demand for a workforce with science competency is expected to increase, especially in our region. Jobs in the Sacramento region through 2050 will outpace the state and nation in job growth. Science is at the core of innovation and our region needs a growing workforce to develop solutions to today's toughest challenges. Science on Display at Folsom Lake College is preparing for that future today with the construction of a new Science Building, Oak Hall!
Construction is making significant progress just one year after breaking ground, and remains on schedule to host students in Fall 2025. The 75,000 square foot LEED Certified instructional building will be the largest science facility within the Los Rios Community College District.
See drone footage of the construction and to learn how to support the project:
Sacramento City College renames Learning Resource Center to honor renowned author and SCC Alumna Joan Didion
The renaming honors Joan Didion, a Sacramento native, SCC alumna, and internationally acclaimed author. The renaming is made possible through a generous donation from the Didion family and the Sacramento Historical Society.
Born in Sacramento in 1934, Didion attended Sacramento City College briefly in the 1950s. The gift from her family and SHS will support writing scholarships for students as well as faculty research programs that align with the late author’s intellectual interests.
It is the family’s hope that the Joan Didion Learning Resource Center and the programs being funded by the gift will serve as a “living legacy” that will benefit many future generations of students to come.
Sacramento City College Opens Basic Needs Center to Combat Housing, Food Insecurity
Sacramento City College held the grand opening of its Panther Cares Center, a multi-use center that provides basic need support for its community college students. Available to all students at the college, the center is located on the institution’s main campus and provides food distribution, textbook assistance, housing support, access to emergency grants and a laptop lending program. Read the Sac City Express article.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Year-End Giving Opportunity for Los Rios Alumni
As we approach the end of the year, we reflect on the incredible impact Los Rios Community College District has had on countless lives, including yours. You are a vital part of our story, and we are deeply grateful for your journey with us.
In this season of gratitude, we invite you to give back to the institution that helped shape your academic and professional path. Your support today can help ensure that future generations of students have access to the same transformative education that you experienced.
Planned Giving: A Legacy of Education
Your planned gift helps us continue providing essential resources for students, faculty, and programs. By including Los Rios in your estate planning, you are not only creating a legacy of education, but also inspiring others to give back to the institution that shaped their futures. If you would like to learn more about estate planning options or would like to discuss how your planned gift can make a difference, please visit Legacy Giving.
Your generosity—through your estate plan—ensures that the legacy of Los Rios continues to thrive for years to come.
Thank you for being part of our community and for considering a gift that will leave a lasting impact.
