SYNOPSIS:

A report from Superintendent/President Karas is presented as information.

Over the last month, I had the honor of reviewing scholarship applications. Reading the scholarship applications reinforces the reason we are in this field of work and grounds us. The applicant’s stories are powerful and inspiring. In a perfect world everyone would be granted a scholarship award.

Below are three college functions happening in April that you may wish to attend:

19th Annual Festival of New Plays, May 14, 2026 - May 16, 2026 at the Mendocino College Theatre. Mendocino College Krenov School Graduation Show, May 16, 2026 – May 25, 2026 at the Highlight Gallery, 10480 Kasten Street, Mendocino, CA. 2026 RN Pinning Ceremony, May 21, 2026. at the Mendocino College Theatre. 53rd Annual Commencement Ceremony, May 22, 2026 at 6pm at the Stadium Field on the Ukiah Campus.

The Bloom, a Lake County online Newsource, recently published an article featuring a recent graduate from the Mendocino College Fire Academy Class III. On behalf of the entire Mendocino College community, I also want to recognize the faculty, staff, and regional fire agencies who partner with the College to make this academy possible. Together, we are strengthening our local workforce and ensuring that Mendocino County and the surrounding region are served by highly trained, home-grown firefighters.

To read the full article:

https://thebloom.news/they-received-the-call-a-firefighters-story/

Caring Kitchen Program Update I am sharing an update from NCO regarding the Caring Kitchen program. After careful review, North Coast Opportunities (NCO) has determined that we do not have the funding necessary to continue the Caring Kitchen program beyond this spring.

Caring Kitchen will close on April 30, 2026, with meal preparation and delivery continuing through April 24, completing the current service period.

Over the past several years, Caring Kitchen has used our commercial kitchen on the Ukiah Campus to make nutritious and delicious meals for people fighting cancer. The bounty from our agriculture department contributed to their meals. It is heart- wrenching that in this time of need funding for these types of community uplifting programs is dwindling.

Student Housing Parcel (Main/Perkins)

The buildings at the Perkins/Main Street site have been removed. The site will be cleared, and bollards/poles will be placed along the street facing side of the property. This completes the critical step in the upcoming Affordable Student Housing grant application of having a shovel-ready parcel. While construction of student housing is anticipated in the coming years as funding is secured, the current site preparation work represents meaningful progress toward that goal.

Mendocino Transit Authority Collaboration

Through the Mendocino College facilities department we have a pilot with MTA to have branded signs at bus stops on routes stopping at the Ukiah Campus. This will provide a visual queue for the public. This build on our existing partnership for free transit on MTA and LTA for all students.

North County Center (Willits) College and Career Day

We welcomed over 125 North Mendocino County high school to 8th gr ade students, current students, and community members to this year’s event. College and Career Day events focus on assisting students explore their educational and career opportunities with Mendocino College and local industry partners. This event was welcoming and enjoyed by all thanks to our amazing Center team (Maria Zepeda, Erica Henderson, Catherine Norris, Tammy Carlson, and Rose Mehtlan).

We also absolutely appreciate the Mendocino College academic and service areas to table and support students: Human Services, Agriculture, American Sign Language, Child Development, Communications, English, Music, Dance, ESL, PTA, Construction, Mendocino College Foundation Library, Eagles Rise-Justice Impacted Youth , Financial Aid, EOPS, MESA, High School Equivalency Program, Native American Resource Center, Basic Needs, ASMC, Counseling and Retention, Dream Center, Pride Center

We also value the partnership with local four-year universities, Sonoma State, Cal Poly Humboldt, and UC Davis.

Industry attendance was expertly coordinated by the Career Hub and Filemon Lara-Lopez. A big thank you to the M&O team for assisting with set up and tear down!

Latino Student Retreat

On Friday, April 24th, Mendocino College hosted its 38th Annual Latino student Retreat. The Latino Student Retreat provides Mendocino and Lake County high school students to participate in a half-day conference.

The half-day consists of a Welcome, Keynote Speaker, and two breakout workshops. This year, we had slightly over 300 high school students from across the different high schools in Mendocino and Lake County register for the event. Our keynote this year was Ovi Vásquez, a national keynote speaker, bestselling author, and entrepreneur who shared his story about resilience, motivation, and the need to pursue one's dreams. We were fortunate to have two graduating students serve as our emcees for the event.

Workshops included topics such as Ballet Folklorico, learning about careers in healthcare (nursing & PTA), exploring science, and learning more about money (money management as well as financing their college education).

To conclude the event, a lunch and resource fair was also available so that the high school students had an opportunity to learn more about different services available at Mendocino College.

Native American Student Resource Center The Mendocino College Native American Student Success and Support Program (NASSSP) proudly hosted the 39th Annual Native American Motivation Day, welcoming a couple hundred students from 5th through 12th grade from schools across Lake and Mendocino counties. The event created a culturally affirming space focused on inspiration, connection, and educational pathways, offering Native youth the opportunity to engage with college campus life while celebrating their identities and communities. Through mentorship, encouragement, and shared experience, Motivation Day continues to uplift and empower the next generation of Native students by reinforcing the message that higher education is accessible, achievable, and rooted in community support. The keynote speaker/performer was Richie Ledreagle, who shared his experiences as a Native American in northern California. He also performed multiple songs for those in attendance.

Veterans Resource Fair

Mendocino College hosted a Veterans Resource Fair on April 9th at Pomo Plaza in Ukiah. The fair comprised of Veterans resources such as Nations Finest, V/A Health, American Legion, and others. Resources also included NCO, Mendocino Forestry, Mendocino County EDD, and other local resources to assist Veterans, Dependents, and all college students with networking to find a job or to do research in a field/resource.

Financial Aid

The U.S. Department of Education made changes to the file layout of the 2026-2027 FAFSA. Because of these changes, there is a temporary delay in how schools receive and process FAFSA information as school systems need to be updated to receive these file layout changes.

Starting April 26, 2026, the Financial Aid Office will not be able to process new or updated FAFSA information for the 2026-2027 year for a short period of time. This delay is due to a required system update that must be completed before processing can resume. They expect processing to resume once the update has been released and tested.

There is also a delay in receiving 2026-2027 California Dream Act Applications.

What this means for students:

2026-2027 FAFSA’s received before April 23 have been processed and California College Promise Grants have been awarded, if eligible.

2026-2027 FAFSA’s submitted just before or after April 26? Expect processing delays since their FAFSA cannot be loaded at this time.

This situation is expected to be resolved before the end of May.

FAFSA Identity Verification

Beginning in April 2026, the U.S. Department of Education started screening all FAFSA applicants for identity risk during the application process. FAFSA identity verification is a federal fraud-prevention step used to confirm that the person submitting a FAFSA is a real, eligible student.
NextUp Program

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. The NextUp program encourages staff to show their support by wearing a blue-ribbon pin, available at the EOPS office, wearing blue on Wednesdays, and joining us at our webinar viewing session:

From Lived Experience to Leadership with Nyla Vivas, MA

Monday, May 11, 2026, 10:00–11:00 a.m., MCM Room 4210. *Light refreshments will be served

Hosted by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Foster & Kinship Care Education and NextUp programs, participants will: Understand the powerful impact that supportive professionals can have on foster youth; Learn practical, trauma-informed tools to better support students with lived experience in foster care as they navigate higher education; Gain insight from both lived experience in foster care and the perspective of a caregiver supporting youth through their educational journey.

Graduation & Transfer Fair

We are in the midst of graduation season, and as commencement quickly approaches on May 22, 2026, we are thrilled to invite students to the 2026 Graduation & Transfer Fair hosted by the Transfer Center, the Office of Admissions & Records, and the EOPS Office on:

Tuesday, April 28, 12:00–2:00 p.m. - 54 students attended!

Monday, May 4, 3:30–6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 12, 12:00–2:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 21, 3:00–6:00 p.m.

Location: Transfer Center in Lowery Hall on the Ukiah Main Campus

The Graduation & Transfer Fair is designed to provide you with essential information and resources as you transition from your current academic pursuits to the next phase of your life. Here's what you can expect:

1. Expected Graduation Date Consultation: Meet with the Office of Admissions and Records who will support you in confirming your expected graduation date, and ensuring you are on track to fulfill all graduation requirements. This is an excellent opportunity to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding your academic progress. 2. Transfer Information: Explore transfer options and confirm your expected transfer date. Whether you're considering continuing your education or pursuing new academic challenges, you'll find valuable insights to guide your decision- making process. 3. Graduation Regalia Information: Learn about the process of collecting your graduation regalia, including ordering timelines, pickup locations, and any necessary instructions. Ensure you're ready to proudly walk across the stage in attire befitting your achievements. We even have a photographer on select days!

Restorative Justice

During the month of April, the Restorative Justice Program hosted two Dinner and Conversation events, held on April 9 and April 29. These gatherings provided students with a meal sponsored by the program while creating space to learn about Restorative Justice services, build community, and engage in meaningful dialogue.

The program continued its collaboration with Juvenile Hall, successfully scheduling CCS 100 courses for both the upcoming summer and fall semesters, supporting incarcerated and formally incarcerated students in continued educational pathways.

We also maintained close partnership with the Native American Student Success and Support Program, assisting with weekly Regalia Workshops on Thursdays. As part of this collaboration, the Restorative Justice Program supported the participation of a student from Juvenile Hall in this activity.

Additionally, planning efforts continued for the Reentry Collaborative Resource Fair, which will take place on May 12 at the Mendocino College campus. This event will bring together campus and community partners to support justice-impacted students and community members with resources and services supporting successful reentry.
Health & Wellness Services

In an effort to advocate for faculty working in the role of mental health counselors in the California Community College system, Counselor/Coordinator Lisa Larimer Burtis participated in the ASCCC Spring Plenary in her role as Legislative Chair for the CCC- Mental Health & Wellness Association. As the principal author of a disciplines list proposal, Lisa led the effort to promote the addition of "Counseling: Mental Health," and also submitted a resolution requesting the formation of a best practice guide for faculty working in the role of mental health counselor in the CCC system. Both proposals were supported. The Disciplines List addition will head to the Board of Governors this summer.

Coast Center

Grace Potter teaches ART-542 Ceramics for Older Adults at the Coast Center and is a ceramic artist dedicated to sharing her craft with the community. In January, she was featured in an article in Ceramics Monthly, a well-known national trade magazine for ceramic artists and hobbyists. The article highlighted her studio setup and the ways she balances her teaching responsibilities with her personal studio practice. Upon receiving the issue, she was pleasantly surprised to find that her work had been selected for the cover. She is thrilled to have been featured and proud to represent Mendocino College within the ceramics community.
North County Center

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Senator Mike McGuire, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman, North Coast Builders Exchange CEO Lisa Wittke Schaffner, Mendocino County Supervisor, John Haschak and Ukiah Valley Fire Authority Battalion Chief Justin Buckingham visited the North County Center to celebrate a major $20 million investment that will fund a new career-training center.

President Karas spoke about the 19,000 square foot Phase II Expansion project. The new facility will expand hands-on programs in areas of fire technology, health sciences, construction, and energy technology. The estimated opening of the phase II project is spring 2029.

Lake Center

Welding courses are offered by the Mendocino College Lake Center at one of our partner sites, Kelseyville High School. The class is taught by instructor Michael Zeni, who creates a welcoming environment for students of all skill levels to develop and improve their welding techniques and knowledge. Students train in a new welding shop equipped with new machines, providing an updated and supportive learning environment. Knowledgeable and encouraging staff guide students every step of the way, whether they are learning welding for the first time or building on existing skills. Our partnership with Kelseyville High School helps ensure accessibility by removing barriers that often exist in rural areas such as Lakeport. By working together with our surrounding communities, we are creating new opportunities for our students close to home and at the same time supporting the needs of our communities with their newly acquired skills.
Upcoming Events

Details can be viewed on the Events page, https://www.mendocino.edu/events, or the Athletics page, https://www.mendoeagles.com. The monthly student newsletter https://www.mendocino.edu/newsletters, The Eagle, provides a listing of upcoming events and campus news too.

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