Foundation News

Moorpark College Joins Forces with Lifetech Resources to Support Student Well-being
Donation of over 1,000 hygiene items strengthens commitment to student dignity and wellness

Moorpark, Calif. (May 30, 2025) — Moorpark College is proud to announce a new partnership with Lifetech Resources to provide essential hygiene products to students in need. A reception will be hosted at the college’s Raider Central Basic Needs Center on June 11 at 3 p.m. where Lifetech Resources will present a donation of 1009 bottles of 3-in-1 cleansers.

“At Moorpark College, we believe that student success begins with meeting their basic needs,” said Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. “This generous contribution from Lifetech Resources allows us to further remove barriers to education by ensuring our students have access to essential hygiene products. We are grateful for this partnership and the shared commitment to uplifting our community.”

A leading Southern California contract manufacturer for beauty and personal care brands, Lifetech Resources is committed to uplifting local communities and operating with a "Beauty with a Purpose" philosophy, where true beauty extends beyond the surface to nurturing our communities.

"We are excited to partner with Moorpark College to provide basic hygiene needs for their students," states Shaffiq Rahim, chairman and CEO of Lifetech Resources. "We understand that every student's situation is unique, and we are incredibly grateful that Moorpark College actively supports their students with basic needs, allowing them to truly focus on their education."

The 3-in-1 cleansers will be available to Moorpark College students through the Raider Central pantry, a free resource that provides food and essential hygiene items such as shampoo, toothpaste, laundry soap, among others. 

To learn more about Moorpark College’s Basic Needs services and how to access them, visit MoorparkCollege.edu/Wellness.

About Moorpark College

Moorpark College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1967, Moorpark College is fully accredited and has the highest six-year completion rate within the California Community College System. An Aspen Institute Top 10 Finalist for 2023 and 2025, Moorpark College has also been named a 2020 Champion of Higher Education by The Campaign for College Opportunity for the Associate Degree for Transfer Pathway. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college’s signature career/technical programs include nursing, radiologic technology, biotechnology and journalism. The college’s America’s Teaching Zoo is the only associate degree exotic animal training program in the country. To learn more, visit MoorparkCollege.edu or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.

Media Contact:

Debi Klein
dklein@vcccd.edu

Moorpark, Calif. (July 25, 2023) — Moorpark College Foundation is pleased to announce it will be receiving a generous donation of $500,000 from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin to kickstart the campaign for funding to construct the Amphitheater at Moorpark College.

For decades, the Ventura County communities have sought to expand their “arts footprint” with additional, significant performance spaces, including outdoor sites for large music, drama, and educational forums. This donation will be a contribution to the fundraising efforts for the construction of the Amphitheater.

Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Santa Susana Mountains, the Amphitheater, which will be built on Moorpark College’s campus, will be Southern California’s newest entertainment spot. The Amphitheater at Moorpark College will have a seating capacity of 4,000 people and a stage large enough to accommodate a symphony orchestra, yet intimate enough to host student performances. Seating will be ADA compliant and is estimated to bring $23 million in revenue annually to the community.

This project will extend beyond the performance space it houses, also serving as an opportunity for students in the community wishing to expand their educational horizons.

Furthermore, the Amphitheater will be accessible to all nonprofit organization at reduced rates, serve students in the Exotic AnimalTraining and Management program at America’s Teaching Zoo, and be a location for youth organizations to be immersed in the arts.

Moorpark, California (Oct. 19, 2022) ― Moorpark College Foundation is pleased to announce it has been honored for the seventh consecutive year with a $25,000 Edison International grant to fund Moorpark College’s Edison STEM Scholarships.

The scholarship program provides funds for students pursuing education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). In the spring 2022 semester, 19 Moorpark College students benefitted from this scholarship.

“Edison International continues to make a major impact on the lives of students majoring in STEM fields who want to succeed in finishing their course of studies at Moorpark College or to transfer to a four-year college or university. They provide the largest number of scholarships at Moorpark College through their Edison International STEM Grant,” Maria Perez-Medeiros, Scholarship Technician at Moorpark College, said.

Students can apply for the next round of scholarships to be awarded in May at moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/scholarship-office.

“Through the support of Edison International, Moorpark College continues to invest in the future success of our students in STEM majors with much-needed scholarships. We continue to be grateful to the leadership of Edison International for this exemplary support,” Debi Klein, Chief Development Officer for the Moorpark College Foundation, said.

For more information about Edison’s community involvement, please visit http://www.edison.com/community.

MOORPARK, Calif (Oct. 4, 2022) – The new tiger habitat at America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College will inform visitors about the perils of tigers in the wild and tiger conservation with the installation of educational graphics funded by a $10,000 William T. Morris Foundation grant award.

“This will be our first themed exhibit at the zoo and these educational pieces will be monumental in furthering our mission to inspire conservation action by providing engaging connections with wildlife and those who care for them as we near our 50^th anniversary,” said Mara Rodriguez, zoo development coordinator.

America’s Teaching is a jewel on the Moorpark College campus and in the community, Debi Klein, Director of Institutional Advancement & Community Relations at Moorpark College and Chief Development Officer at the Moorpark College Foundation said.

“The zoo provides a way for the college and Moorpark College Foundation to interact with the community and organizations worldwide. Moorpark College Foundation is excited that we can be a part of securing funding for these modernization projects at the zoo,” she said.

Rajah’s Retreat, slated to open in late December or early January and built with partial funding from a previous William T. Morris Foundation Grant, will be a highlight at the zoo with two exhibit yards, a pool, a tiger bridge over a pedestrian walkway, and a glass viewing area into the tigers’ den.

“The Morris Foundation has been thrilled to partner with the Moorpark College Zoo and the great work they do,” Bruce August, President of the William T. Morris Foundation, said.

Rodriguez said that being able to add new graphics will complement the modern zoo feel of the exhibit and allow the zoo to move forward with the transformation of America’s Teaching zoo.

“The exhibit will surprise and delight thousands of visitors from all over the world, and serve as a critical instructional lab for our students and all students of animal habitats,” she said. “From a modern zoo perspective, we know that these graphics will create an exhibit experience.”

Rodriguez said visitor engagement is key to promoting a message of conservation and saving species.

“Our animal ambassadors are a big part of making the connection between caring and conservation, but there is more to be done through the educational lens that can help inform guests about, not just our tigers, but tigers in the wild,” she said. “With modern signage and graphics, we can communicate messages to our visitors and use it as a tool for behavior change.”

Klein said those who would like to see what is going on at the zoo can visit during the two weekends of Boo at the Zoo, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 22, 23, 29, and 30. The event will feature interactive treat stations, kids’ crafts, food trucks, wildlife presentations, scavenger hunts, photo opportunities, and animal meet and greets. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for children ages 3-17and seniors age 65 and older.

In addition to the new tiger habitat, several other improvements are taking place at the zoo.  Rodriguez said America’s Teaching Zoo recently applied for accreditation from

the Zoologic Association of America. This rigorous process should be completed by late 2022 and will give Ventura County its first accredited zoo if granted. The facility, with the assistance of the Moorpark College Foundation and the Ventura Community College Foundation, recently purchased new aviary cages for the Alumni Aviary, providing Parrots and other bird species more natural housing and allowing for guest-friendly viewing. The cages are being assembled and will be installed soon.

There are also plans to upgrade the Reptile Room with more naturalistic enclosures in a temperature-controlled environment.

The zoo will celebrate the construction of the tiger habitat with an event called VIPeeks on Dec. 10 at the zoo. The event will feature music by John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting amid the zoo’s holiday Wild Lights and Jungle Nights light display. Food and wine will be served and guests can participate in a fundraising raffle. Ticket information for VIPeeks and Wild Lights & Jungle Nights will be available soon on the zoo’s website.

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About Moorpark College Foundation

The Moorpark College Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation that accepts and solicits gifts, donations, trusts, and bequests for college-related use. It provides tax-deductible advantages to the donor. It also provides a method for the college to interact with businesses, government, and other nonprofit agencies in the broader Southern California community and provides hundreds of students with the financial assistance, recognition, and encouragement needed to realize their academic goals. To learn more, visit MoorparkCollege.edu/foundation or follow @MCGiveBack on social media.

About America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College

The mission of America’s Teaching Zoo is to inspire conservation action by providing engaging interactions with wildlife and those who care for them. The zoo is home to The Moorpark College Exotic Animal Training and Management Program, one of Moorpark College’s Career Technical Educational Programs. Students in the EATM program receive hands-on training to secure careers in animal care upon graduation. This program and its concept and execution are unique in the world. Graduates of the EATM Program are hired worldwide, training animals using positive reinforcement at zoos, safari parks, in the film and television industry, and promoting conservation work. Since 1974, the zoo serves as the living, breathing classroom for EATM, where students learn to care for and feed animals in a hands-on setting. To obtain a career in the fields of animal husbandry, zookeeping, and wildlife education, students receive field-specific lectures directly applied in lab practice at America’s Teaching Zoo as they assume year-round care for 125 animals. To learn more, visit zoo.moorparkcollege.edu or follow @americasteachingzoo on Facebook or @moorparkzoo on Twitter.

MOORPARK, Calif. (Sept. 2, 2022) –  Moorpark College Astronomy faculty and the Ventura County Astronomical Society will kick off the summer’s final Star Party with guest speaker Kevin McKeegan, who will provide a short lecture on meteorites.  

McKeegan is a Professor of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry in UCLA’s Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences. McKeegan will bring meteorites to display and talk about their origin and composition.

 The event will take place at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Moorpark College Observatory.  

Moorpark College Astronomy Professor Hal Jandorf will provide a walk through the summer stars, constellations, planets, and other objects in the evening sky at 7:30 p.m. 

Saturn, nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies will be visible through the telescopes set up by the VCAS. A trip through the observation dome will be the evening’s highlight. 

“Star Parties are always special because the community can learn about the night sky, learn the constellations, look through dozens of powerful telescopes, and learn more about the universe. Wait until you see Saturn for the first time! It’s not a photo in a book or on a computer monitor. It’s a real image in your retina,” Jandorf said.  

The event is free for all ages (ages 6 and up are recommended). Seating is first come, first served. Attendees are advised to bring cushions for the concrete seating, a light jacket, and binoculars. No pets are allowed. 

This year’s series of star parties have drawn crowds of 250 to 300 people at each event with the help of the Moorpark College Foundation and the VCAS. 

“We were overwhelmed by the number of interested families and visitors that attended the events. The observatory is waking up from a lack of use during the pandemic and is a wonderful tool for education and outreach for the public,” Jandorf said.  

 “I think the combined efforts of VCAS and the Foundation will make the observatory a shining star again,” he said. 

 Debi Klein, Chief Development Officer of the Moorpark College Foundation said the observatory enables students to participate in courses and labs and allows the college to share this experience with our neighbors and the community. 

 “The observatory provides a valuable resource for learning about the cosmos, but it’s also a way the college can share its resources with the community at large. Facilities like this allow us to be a part of the community. The Moorpark College Foundation has proudly sponsored the observatory and astronomy programs for more than three decades.” she said.  

 While this is the last event of the year at the observatory, Molly Shelton, a Power Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena will speak at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21, at the Moorpark College Forum in the Applied Arts Building. The Astronomy Department, VCAS, and the Moorpark College Foundation coordinate the event. 

About Kevin McKeegan: 

Kevin McKeegan is a Professor of Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry in UCLA’s Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, where he served as Department Chair from 2012-16. McKeegan earned a bachelor’s of science from St. Lawrence University and his doctoral degree. from Washington University (St. Louis) in 1987. He is co-director of the National Science Foundation/UCLA National Ion Microprobe Facility and is an expert on the isotopic and chemical compositions of a wide variety of extraterrestrial samples. 

McKeegan held a Roger Chaffee Astronaut Fellowship at Washington University and is a Fellow of the Meteoritical Society, the American Geophysical Union, the Geochemical Society, and the European Association of Geochemistry. In recognition of his contributions to meteorite science, asteroid 5663 was named McKeegan by the International Astronomical Union in 2002. 

About Molly Shelton 

Molly Shelton is a Power Systems Engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. She is an early career hire, graduating from college with a bachelor’s of science in physics in 2016 and joining the Power and Sensor Systems group to design, build and test hardware for missions throughout the solar system. She has worked on a handful of projects in her four years at JPL including Dawn, SHERLOC, and Europa Clipper. She started her path to JPL in a high school robotics club and is honored to be able to share her story thus far with those who yearn for the stars in the same way. 

About Moorpark College  

The Moorpark College Foundation is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation that accepts and solicits gifts, donations, trusts, and bequests for college-related use. It provides tax-deductible advantages to the donor. It also provides a method for the college to interact with businesses, government, and other nonprofit agencies in the broader Southern California community and provides hundreds of students with the financial assistance, recognition, and encouragement needed to realize their academic goals. To learn more, visit MoorparkCollege.edu or follow @MoorparkCollege on social media.  

Continuing to invest in the local community, Adventist Health Simi Valley has signed a multi-year $588,000 agreement with Moorpark College, Moorpark College Foundation, and Ventura County Community College District, combining  Moorpark College’s stellar reputation in education with the healthcare expertise of Adventist Health Simi Valley to benefit our local students.

The partnership was announced on Monday, April 11 during an afternoon celebration at the Moorpark College Gymnasium Plaza

. 

The partnership will span four key areas, providing additional funding and healthcare expertise to enhance the offerings already provided to students on campus. The four components of the partnership are:

• Raider Central – Basic Needs Center
• Career Development – Healthcare Pathways
• Access to Healthcare Services Onsite
•  Athletic Program & Sports Medicine

“This collaboration will enhance the health of not only students but their families and friends,” said Jennifer Swenson, CEO of Adventist Health Simi Valley.

“Dedicating resources that focus on career opportunities, health and wellbeing, food insecurities, training, and sports will significantly benefit Moorpark College and our broader communities.”

Adventist Health Simi Valley’s support includes providing additional scholarships for healthcare-related careers, expanding clinical rotations for Moorpark College Students, overseeing the health clinic so students have access to the latest healthcare services and providing a full-time athletic trainer in conjunction with Moorpark College’s sports programs.

The collaboration is a continued effort by Adventist Health Simi Valley to invest in the community by becoming an extended resource for many programs.

Moorpark College President, Dr. Julius Sokenu shared that “the partnership between Moorpark College and Adventist Health will be the basis of a new direction in education, one that will support our students, colleagues, and community. As we look to the future, the opportunity to combine healthcare resources with innovative educational platforms will enable Moorpark College faculty and staff to positively influence current and future generations of students as they progress along their educational pathways toward a successful career.”

April 5, 2022 – (Moorpark, California) Moorpark College Foundation is pleased to announce a $30,000 grant award from the Ventura County Community Foundation to fund the final phase of the Alumni Aviary at America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College.

The funding will allow the zoo to purchase a large triple aviary structure to provide housing for the birds needing to move into updated enclosures.

The Ventura County Community Foundation conducted an Animal Welfare Needs Assessment for Ventura County to inform planned grantmaking.  This assessment revealed a wide range of needs for animal welfare services and facilities in Ventura County.

“I am so proud that VCCF is able to provide these critical funds to support the final phase of the Alumni Aviary at Moorpark College’s Teaching Zoo. VCCF is committed to supporting animal services for large and small, wild and domestic, on land and the sea across Ventura County,” VCCF Board of Directors Chair Sean Leonard said.

Mara Rodriguez, Zoo Development Coordinator at America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, explained that the first phase of this project was the construction of new aviaries for birds of prey. The second phase, completed in mid-February, provides new housing for about half of the zoo’s parrots. The third phase, which will be funded by this grant, will provide new areas for the remaining parrots, all of whom are surrendered pets from residents of Ventura County and beyond,” said

“Our parrot family includes macaws, Amazons, and cockatoos, many of whom have lived with us for upwards of 25 years,” Rodriguez said.

She said the aviary upgrade project will directly address the need to provide new housing to the zoo’s parrot population.

“Unlike the rest of our animal population, bird species were not a USDA regulated animal group. That will change starting next year. Although our current parrot housing is adequate, we are motivated to make changes that will surpass what is considered minimum requirements. Our parrots currently live in wire mesh enclosures with wooden heat boxes. This housing is not the standard we want to teach our students, who go on to work in the most modern zoos in the country. It is also incongruent with the evolution of America's Teaching Zoo and what we want our guest experience to be,” she said.

She said the project will allow the parrots to be front and center when it comes to the visitor experience, which in turn gives them well-deserved attention, fostering an appreciation for these species.

“When one animal is served, all animals are served. Modernization brings more exposure, resources, and contributions. This project would directly support the individual needs of our parrots,” Rodriguez said.

With the support of the Moorpark College Foundation, America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College serves all of Ventura County with numerous programs and events. The zoo also supports the world-renowned Exotic Animal Training and Management program as a living, breathing classroom housing 125 animals. America's Teaching Zoo is the only public zoo in Ventura County. Its mission is to connect people with wildlife and to promote conservation. This mission is accomplished by being open to guests every weekend and presenting animal presentations to promote awareness and animal advocacy.

“We invite field trips for schoolchildren from Ventura County schools and beyond. Programs educate young people regarding career choices and local community colleges and provide recreation for many underserved populations that may not have the resources to travel outside the county to attend a large, more expensive zoo. We provide summer camps, private parties, and special events that are recognized throughout the world,” Rodriguez said.

America's Teaching Zoo is funded through contributions and gifts to the Moorpark College Foundation, weekend visitors, educational programs, special events, grants, fundraising activities, and Moorpark College.

“Revenue generated through large fundraising campaigns has been responsible for the recent completion of a new home for our beloved lion and a tiger habitat, due for completion in June 2022,” Rodriguez said.

Moorpark, California (Jan. 19, 2022) ― ProDIGIQ Inc., a leading aviation technology company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, has donated $10,000 to the Moorpark College Foundation in support of the Foundation’s mission to provide all students access to high-quality college education in their community.

The funds were collected through the Moorpark College Foundation’s Annual Campaign and will benefit the general scholarship fund and the Rising Scholars Academy.

Arpit Malaviya, ProDIGIQ Chief Executive Officer, his wife Anita Venkataraman, the company’s President and Chief Technology Officer, and several members of the ProDIGIQ team presented the check to the Foundation on Dec. 22 at the company’s Thousand Oaks offices.

"On behalf of ProDIGIQ, I feel honored and fortunate to create a legacy by supporting such a noble cause.  We believe in the impact Moorpark College is having in our local community,” Malaviya, a Moorpark College alumnus and the parent of a current mc student, said.

ProDIGIQ is a continuing supporter of the work of the Moorpark College Foundation, having supported the Rising Scholars Academy, the Veteran’s Emergency Fund, and general operations in the past. Anita Venkataraman serves as a Moorpark College Foundation Director as well.

“We are grateful to Arpit, Anita, the ProDIGIQ team, and so many donors like them whose donations ensure that countless students can benefit from Moorpark College programs and scholarships and continue their education,” Julius Sokenu, Moorpark College President said.

In the 2020-21 academic year the Foundation awarded over $182,000 in scholarships aimed at a wide range of students — from a fund to help single mothers afford tuition to others focusing on professions like healthcare, engineering, technology, the arts, and leadership skills.

Moorpark College’s Rising Scholars Academy was created in 2018. The program, for students in 7-12 grades from East Ventura County public schools, is a college-access program designed to give students and their families the encouragement, mentorship, rigorous academic exposure, and social support that offer a pathway to a college degree at no cost.

The program helps underrepresented students who qualify as low-income, non-English learners, and foster children. Of the three districts that feed into Moorpark College — the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, and Moorpark unified school districts — 27% to 30% of students fall into this category each year.

Students who complete the Rising Scholars Academy and choose to attend Moorpark College are eligible to receive scholarship funds and enrollment in the highly successful First Year Experience program, which integrates them into the campus community, allowing them to gain skills and experiences to excel in college.

Rising Scholars Academy currently serves 55 students and is adding a new cohort of 25 seventh-grade students this year. The Foundation’s funding will help the academy provide materials and services, such as books, as well as tutoring and mentoring sessions. The funding also will support a part-time staff member to work with the students in the academy.

About ProDIGIQ

ProDIGIQ is a technology company that provides innovative products and services exclusively to the aviation industry, including operations management, safety management, lease management, maintenance management, flight operations, flight scheduling, and gate management. They utilize typical web technologies, but the software they build for their clients is anything but typical. They empower their aviation clients, such as Frontier Airlines, Boeing, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport, to name a few, with powerful, scalable, and intuitive software solutions that improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of their operations.

At ProDIGIQ, the team collectively channels their diverse backgrounds and passions, whether it be sales, software development, marketing, client success, or writing, to deliver cutting-edge technology that creates a paradigm shift in the aviation industry. ProDIGIQ is the 2016 recipient of the AAAE Corporate Award of Excellence, the 2014 recipient of the NWAAAE Corporate Award of Excellence, and the 2011 recipient of the SWAAAE Corporate Award of Excellence. ProDIGIQ has been featured in numerous publications such Airport Business Magazine, Airport Improvement Magazine, and ACI Centerlines.

Moorpark, California (Sept. 17, 2021) ― The Foundation of Ventura County Credit Union has awarded a $3,000 grant to the Moorpark College Foundation in support of Moorpark College’s Rising Scholar’s Academy, a college access program for students in grades 7-12 from East Ventura County public schools.

The program is designed to give students and their families the encouragement, mentorship, rigorous academic exposure and social support that offer a pathway to a college degree at no cost.

Mentorship and encouragement early in education primes students for success in a post-secondary career, especially underserved students who qualify as low-income, non-English learners and foster children. Of the three districts that feed into Moorpark College — the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and Moorpark unified school districts — 27% to 30% of students fall into this category each year, John Loprieno, Interim Director of Institutional Advancement, Community Relations and Marketing at Moorpark College, said.

Realizing its mentoring role may lead to first-generation students pursuing a college education, the College initiated the Rising Scholars Academy in 2019, and activities are now in their fourth year.

Loprieno said students who complete the Rising Scholars program and choose to attend Moorpark College are eligible to receive scholarship funds and enrollment in the highly successful First Year Experience program, which integrates them into the campus community, helping them gain skills and experiences to excel in college.

The Rising Scholars program currently serves 55 students and will be adding a new cohort of 25 seventh-grade students this year, said DeAnna Grove, Student Services Assistant at Moorpark College.

The funding from this grant will help the academy provide materials and services, such as books, as well as tutoring and mentoring sessions. The funding also will support a part-time staff member to work with the students in the Academy.

“Our giving focuses on three pillars — health and well-being, beautification and preservation of the environment, and helping the underserved,” said Alma Medina, president of The Foundation of VCCU. “The Rising Scholars program aligns perfectly with our goals, and we are thrilled to be helping create opportunities for students who might otherwise not have access to the resources they need to succeed.”

If you would like to donate to the Moorpark College Foundation to benefit the Rising Scholars Academy, visit moorparkcollege.edu/foundation.

Moorpark, California (Sept. 14, 2021) ― Moorpark College Foundation has received a $25,000 grant to from the Simi Valley Rotary Charitable Foundation to fund scholarships at Moorpark College.

The Moorpark College Foundation is excited to be able to offer additional scholarships to the students at Moorpark College and will be determining how the funds will be distributed over the next few months, Jill Haney, Moorpark College Foundation president, said.

Haney, who applied for the grant, said providing scholarships to students is a fundamental part of the foundation, which awarded more than 182,000 in scholarships this spring for student use this fall.

“We are so appreciative for the donation from The Simi Valley Rotary Charitable Foundation. The more opportunities for success we can offer our students, the more we can invest in the future of our local economy and our community. The support of the Simi Valley Rotary Charitable Foundation is so important and shows their commitment to our local schools, colleges, and communities, and we are proud to be doing great things together,” Haney said.

Moorpark College Foundation hosted the 2021 virtual Spring Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 15 and announced the recipients of 209 scholarships totaling more than $160,000 during the event. (Download the slides for the names of recipients.)

In total for the 2020-2021, both fall and spring semesters, 230 scholarships have been awarded totaling more than $182,000.

We are grateful to you, our donors, many of whom increased award amounts, or awarded additional scholarships.

Donors established six new scholarships this year as well, according to Maria Perez-Medeiros in the Scholarship Office.

The foundation supports scholarships aimed at a wide range of students - from a fund to help single mothers afford tuition to others focusing on particular professions. 

For information on how you can support a scholarship, contact Perez-Medeiros
at 805-553-4187. 

Moorpark, Calif. (March 16, 2021) –The Moorpark College Foundation is pleased to announce its second Job Ready Alumni Forum focusing on the Biotechnology program on April 22, 2021, at 6p.m.  

“This forum will both inform our incoming and current students about the job placement process within our Biotechnology program as well as celebrating the work that Moorpark College alumni are doing in the pharmaceutical industry in our community,” said John Loprieno, Interim Director of Institutional Advancement, Community Relations, and Marketing. 

This hour-long panel discussion with questions and answers is the second of four forums that focus on the Moorpark College Biotechnology program and the lucrative employment opportunities now available in Ventura County.   

The conversation will feature three Moorpark College Alumni as they discuss their progression from student, to intern, to full-time employee and will also outline the recently awarded Project STEM Impacto grant that provides incoming Latinx students with many benefits such as a free summer bridge workshop, course-embedded tutoring, financial counseling, mentoring, paid internships and book vouchers. This event is sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific.  

The Moorpark College Foundation Job Ready Alumni Forum is an open discussion series on how alumni found their way to Moorpark College and how the college positioned them for local internships, workforce preparation, and/or transfer to a four-year university. It explores the relationships that exist between Moorpark College and local industries and how these relationships help students transition into the workforce. The intended audience is current students, returning adult-learners in career transition, or members of the community. 

The forum will be hosted by Moorpark College Foundation Board Members Paul Aguilar, Senior Director of Human Resources at Thermo Fisher Scientific and Samantha Sale, Human Resources Leader at Takada Pharmaceutical. The discussion will be facilitated by Moorpark College Biotechnology Instructor, Subhash Karkare, and will be delivered via Zoom webinar.   

“The Moorpark College Biotech program provides great experiences businesses like Thermo Fisher look for when recruiting talent,” said Paul Aguilar. “I encourage students looking to make an impact to explore the program and a career in biotechnology.  This forum will provide insights from alumni who have continued their work within the biotechnology industry and hopefully provide you the right information to learn more about the program.”  

Panelists for this Job Ready Alumni Forum will be:  

• Francisco Rosello – Sr. Research Associate at PBS Biotech, Inc. 
• Belle Giang - Operator 1, Operator I, Pre-Production LABType, Thermo Fisher Scientific
• Jennifer Escobar Manufacturing Sciences Research Associate at Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.  
• Karen Arreola - Director of Molecular Operations at Thermo Fisher Scientific 

“The last Biotechnology Job Ready Forum was a huge success,” said Loprieno. “We had current students and incoming students from several high schools attending and asking great questions about working in Biotechnology in Ventura County. There is no better way to illustrate for our students how exciting and challenging a well-paid career in Biotechnology can be than to have former students, who were in their place a few short years ago, come back and share their success stories in these forums.” 

“Future forums will feature discussions on one of the 23 other Career Education programs available at Moorpark College. The Moorpark College Foundation is proud to present this follow-up event in our Job Ready Alumni Forum series,” he said. 

Registration for the free Moorpark College Job Ready Alumni Forum can be found at https://cccconfer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LwQfOsSbQW6vpfhfNgdhEQ.  To attend via YouTube, please follow this link: https://youtu.be/z5-hrIUELjg.  If you would like more information on the Alumni Forum on Biotechnology event or the Moorpark College Foundation please call (805) 553- 4760 or email mcalumni@vcccd.edu 

Moorpark, California (Jan. 28, 2021) ― ProDIGIQ Inc., a leading aviation technology company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, has donated $10,000 to the Moorpark College Foundation in support of Moorpark College’s Rising Scholars Academy and the Foundation’s dedication to student success. 

The funds were collected through the Moorpark College Foundation’s Annual Campaign that benefits scholarships, the Basic Needs Center, and the Rising Scholars Academy. 

Arpit Malaviya, ProDIGIQ Chief Executive Officer, and his wife Anita Venkataraman, the company’s President and Chief Technology Officer, presented the check to the Foundation. 

"With so many of our employees having started their education at Moorpark College, including myself, it is our honor to support an institution that is not only dedicated to educating its students but also vested in supporting and uplifting the surrounding communities," said Malaviya, Moorpark College alumnus. 

Julius Sokenu, Moorpark College Interim President, said Moorpark College Foundation is able to meet its mission of providing students access to high-quality college education in their community through the generous donations of ProDIGIQ’s Arpit Malaviya and Anita Venkataraman. 

“As an alumnus and parents of a current Moorpark student, they know firsthand how the College prepares students for meaningful careers in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers. This gift will support youngsters from families who do not have college in their vista as they transition from middle school to high school and college,” he said. 

Moorpark College’s Rising Scholars Academy was created in 2018. The program, for students in 7-12 grades from East Ventura County public schools, is a college-access program designed to give students and their families the encouragement, mentorship, rigorous academic exposure, and social support that offer a pathway to a college degree at no cost. 

The program helps underrepresented students who qualify as low-income, non-English learners, and foster children. Of the three districts that feed into Moorpark College — the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley, and Moorpark unified school districts — 27% to 30% of students fall into this category each year. 

Students who complete the Rising Scholars program and choose to attend Moorpark College are eligible to receive scholarship funds and enrollment in the highly successful First Year Experience program, which integrates them into the campus community, allowing them to gain skills and experiences to excel in college. 

“Working with Arpit and Anita is a pleasure. They are committed to helping students who may be facing a variety of challenges as they pursue their education.” Moorpark College Foundation Vice President, Tim Weaver, said. 

ProDIGIQ is a continuing supporter of the work of the Moorpark College Foundation, having supported the Rising Scholars Academy and the Veteran’s Emergency Fund in the past. 

Jan. 6, 2021 – (Moorpark, California) Moorpark College Foundation has received a $50,000 grant from the Ventura County Community Foundation to help fund Raider Central, the college’s student essential needs center.

According to a pre-COVID-19 study, 38% of Moorpark Students were food insecure in the previous 30 days, 49% experienced housing insecurity in the last year, and 16% identified as having been homeless.

Despite its academic reputation, its beautiful campus, and commitment to social justice, Moorpark College Students face financial challenges that affect their ability to succeed, Julius Sokenu, Moorpark College Interim President, said.

“We are at a pivotal point as a society and as a business community. The state of homelessness and food insecurity is at shocking proportions on college campuses throughout the country. We can step aside and do nothing, or we can lean in,” Sokenu said.

The center, which opened on Sept. 4, provides meals, social and emotional support, and emergency financial assistance to students and their families. The center also provides a place for students to connect with other community resources for food, housing, or financial support.

Since its opening in September, Raider Central has been hosting weekly food distributions and operating virtually by responding to student requests for resources and community referrals via email.

“The $50,000 grant to Raider Central is so vital to support our most needy students. The additional funding will purchase more food, hygiene products and assist our homeless students with housing stipends. We are very grateful for the grant. This is a great example of community building that directly helps our students,” Johnny Conley, Director of Student Equity at Moorpark College, said.

The Ventura County Community Foundation grant also will provide funding for the expansion of Raider Central’s physical space to provide a centralized space with shelving for clothing food and hygiene products. It will help with the purchase of refrigerators for perishable food items, operational start-up costs, and an emergency fund.

“The work being done by Moorpark College Foundation and its leadership team is absolutely vital. Hungry students cannot focus on their futures, and Raider Central is critical to student success and achievement. Especially during this challenging time, where homelessness and food insecurity is so common, we need to do all we can to help,” Vanessa Bechtel, President and CEO of the Ventura County Community Foundation, said.

Moorpark, California (Jan. 12, 2021) ― Moorpark College Foundation is pleased to announce it has been honored for the fifth consecutive year with a $25,000 Edison International grant to fund Moorpark College’s Southern California Edison STEM Scholarships.

The scholarship program provides funds for students pursuing education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Last year 23 Moorpark College students benefitted from this scholarship.

“Without this scholarship, I would have had a much more difficult time trying to figure out how to pay for college. (Edison) made it all possible,” said Rhea Zaib, a 2020 recipient of the Southern California Edison STEM Scholarship.

Applications are now open for students to apply for the next round of scholarships to be awarded in May. Students can apply through the Scholarship Office.

“We are very grateful to Edison International for supporting the Moorpark College Foundation and our STEM students with their fifth consecutive grant for $25,000. Their grant helps our STEM students financially prepare for their careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  Thank you to Edison for their continued support,” Moorpark Foundation Board Chair Jill Haney said.

For more information about Edison’s community involvement, please visit https://www.edison.com/home/community.html

Moorpark, Calif. (November 30, 2020) – After the success of the inaugural Job Ready Alumni Forum in September, The Moorpark College Foundation is pleased to announce a follow-up offering at 6 p.m., Dec. 17.  This hour-long panel discussion with questions and answers will be the first of four forums that focus on the Moorpark College Biotechnology program and the lucrative employment opportunities now available in Ventura County. Takeda Pharmaceutical Company is the forum’s sponsor.

The Moorpark College Foundation Job Ready Alumni Forum is an open discussion on how alumni found their way to Moorpark College, how the college positioned them for local internships, and workforce preparation, and/or transfer to a four-year university. It explores the relationships that exist between Moorpark College and local industries and how these relationships help students transition into the workforce. The intended audience is current students, returning adult-learners in career transition, or members of the community.

The forum is hosted by Moorpark College Foundation Board Members Paul Aguilar, Senior Director of Human Resources at Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Samantha Sale, Human Resources Leader at Takada Pharmaceutical. The discussion is facilitated by Moorpark College Biotechnology Instructor, Subhash Karkare, and is delivered via Zoom webinar. 

“The Moorpark College Biotech program provides students a great career in biotechnology or a springboard for continued education in science,” said Aguilar. “At Thermo Fisher Scientific, we see students from this program as viable candidates for our BioFlex Apprentice Program and entry into a Biotechnology manufacturing career.” 

“At Takeda, we appreciate the foundation that the Moorpark College Biotech program gives students for future careers,” said Sale. “We have had great success hiring former students into roles with lots of growth potential.”

Panelists for this first Job Ready Alumni Forum will be:

• Beatris Cruz, AGILE Champion, Takeda Pharmaceutical - Cruz began her career as an upstream Manufacturing Associate (MA) I in 2008 and after a year was promoted to a MA II in Advate Bulk Manufacturing and is trained and qualified in both the upstream and downstream processes. Since that time, she has served as an Operations Analyst in the Formulation/Filling Support Department as a Non-conformance Investigator, Senior Operations Analyst, and Supervisor responsible for training and mentoring a team of nine investigators for the Deviation/CAPA Management department. In June of 2020, she took on a new role as AGILE Champion, performing Continuous Improvement projects, and supporting Change Management initiatives sitewide. Cruz has a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Biology and a minor in Chicana/o Studies from San Diego State University, California, and holds an Associate of Science degree in Biotechnology from Moorpark College. 
• Uriel Gamboa Operator, Molecular Pre Production Team, Thermo Fisher Scientific – Gamboa originally started at Moorpark College as a Nursing major until he took a Microbiology course. At that point, he decided he wanted to work in a lab setting.  In January 2020, Uriel began an internship at Thermo Fisher and was hired after the internship was completed. Gamboa is currently working on his bachelor’s degree at California State University, Northridge. 
• Ryan Zastrow, Associate Scientist, Amgen - Following the completion of the Biotech program at Moorpark College, Zastrow transferred to California State University, Northridge, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. Shortly after graduation, he began his career in Biotechnology. Zastrow has held positions in clinical manufacturing, research, and process development and is currently an Associate Scientist for Cell Line Development at Amgen. The skills that Zastrow developed through his education, specifically the Biotech Program at Moorpark College, along with his time in the biotech industry, has allowed him to implement new technology and methods to optimize cell growth and protein expression. Zastrow is passionate about his role in the field of biotech, which allows him to explore new and exciting discoveries in the field of oncology research while working to improve the lives of the patients he serves.
• Daniel Armstrong, Site Quality, Takeda - Armstrong began his career as a swing-shift assistant supervisor at Allergan in 1997. After a year in that role, he transitioned to Allergan’s Supervisor of the product claims and product complaint department, where he worked for the next five years.  Armstrong left Allergan and worked 11 years at Amgen, where he held various roles within the Quality Department from product complaint investigator, quality on the floor, quality disposition, and in the operations strategic planning department responsible for representing operations on various in/out license business deals. Armstrong currently works for Takeda, where he has served in various roles within the Contract Manufacturing organization. For the last 14 months, Armstrong has been the Site Quality head of the Thousand Oaks manufacturing site. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara,  and a Master’s of Business Administration from Pepperdine University.

“Biotechnology is one of the fastest-growing programs on campus,” said John Loprieno, Interim Director of Institutional Advancement, Public Relations, and Marketing. “The Advisory Board for this program consists of professionals from Thermo Fischer Scientific, Takeda Pharmaceutical, and Amgen. It’s not uncommon for our students to be workforce ready and enter into internships as they complete our Biotech program then transition into full-time positions that launch highly productive and well-paid careers.” This forum will both inform our students and community about the job placement process within our Biotechnology program as well as celebrate the work that Moorpark College alumni are doing in the pharmaceutical industry in our community.  

Future forums will feature discussions on one of the 23 other Career Education programs available at Moorpark College. The Moorpark College Foundation is proud to sponsor this follow-up event in our Job Ready Alumni Forum series.

Participants can register for the free Moorpark College Job Ready Alumni Forum at https://bit.ly/MCJobReady-Biotech. For more information on the Alumni Forum on Biotechnology event or the Moorpark College Foundation, please call (805) 553- 4760 or email mcalumni@vcccd.edu

Moorpark, Calif. (August 21, 2020) – The Moorpark College Foundation is pleased to announce its first Job Ready Alumni Forum at 6 p.m., on Sept, 2. This first hour-long panel discussion with questions and answers will focus on the Moorpark College Nursing program.

The Moorpark College Foundation Job Ready Alumni Forum is an open discussion on how alumni found their way to Moorpark College and how the college positioned them for transfer to a four-year university and/or workforce preparation. 

It explores the relationships that exist between Moorpark College and local industries and how these relationships help students transition into the workforce.  The intended audience is current students, returning adult-learners in career transition, or members of the community.

The forum will be hosted by Moorpark College Nursing Coordinator, Christina Lee, and will be delivered via Zoom webinar. 

Panelist for this first Job Ready Alumni Forum will be:

• Kathy Trigueiro, Los Robles Hospital, Market Director of Clinical Professional Development. 
• Gabriel Guillen, RN Coordinator, Palliative Care at Dignity Health - Gabriel graduated from the nursing program at Moorpark College in 2009 with his RN degree and later transferred to CSU Channel Islands for his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN)
• Alisha Taylor RN, BS – Alisha graduated from Moorpark College School of Nursing in 2004 and has worked through different clinical experiences at many of the local hospitals in the Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Room in Ventura County. 

“We’re excited to offer this first Job Ready Alumni Forum in Nursing,” said John Loprieno, Interim Director of Institutional Advancement, Public Relations, and Marketing. “The Nursing students at Moorpark College have a 95% pass rate on the National Nursing Exam and so many of our alumni are on the front line right now in our community with the Covid-19 crisis. This forum will both inform our students and community about the job placement process within our Nursing program as well as celebrate the work that Moorpark College alumni are doing in healthcare in our community.”  

Future Forums will feature discussions on one of the 23 other Career Education programs available at Moorpark College. The Moorpark College Foundation is proud to sponsor this first event of our Job Ready Alumni Forum series.

Registration for the free Moorpark College Job Ready Alumni Forum can be found at https://cccconfer.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DymCD_CFR-Wh3nrqJe5ykg

 If you would like more information on the Alumni Forum on Nursing event or the Moorpark College Foundation please call (805) 378-1469 or by emailing mcinfo@vcccd.edu.

• College's basic needs center acts as a 'Safe Haven' for students (Dec. 11, 2020, Moorpark Acorn)
• College career panel features alumni (Dec. 4, 2020, Moorpark Acorn)
• Raider Central rallies to meet student needs (Nov. 9, 2020,  Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine)