Share: Decades after his boss at Lucky Supermarket told him he wasn’t “worth a shit,” James Aragon found himself working in higher education; an unlikely spark that changed the trajectory of his life. Newly elected Trustee James Aragon, who’s taking over Area 2 from Jim Osterling, has worked in higher education since that fateful day his journeyman dreams were shattered. Twenty-six of those 30-plus years were dedicated to Pasadena City College, where he was a full-time counselor and associate professor of college success courses. Now …
For the first time ever, Area 6 gets a new board member
Share: Inaugurations for office can be an elaborate all-day affair but for the newly elected Pasadena City College Board of Trustees members, they took place in the early afternoon in a small conference room of the Jack Scott Building. The event was done before the bellowing lecture a floor above them wrapped for class. New board member Ryan Liu walked in wearing a commuter black backpack and a suit, smiling as if excited for the first day of school. But this time it’s to be …
Overbearing landlords leave tenants feeling ‘isolated, alone, harassed’
Share: With an increase in housing issues like higher rent prices, residents in Los Angeles County are facing the possibility of being unhoused. The Pasadena Tenants Union (PTU), was formed the same year a real-estate tycoon was elected president. Funded entirely by members’ dues, this grassroots organization protects Pasadenans from controlling landlords and other issues that pose a threat to people potentially losing their homes. The union strives in many ways to protect residents by providing a sense of community in Pasadena. The PTU notably …
Farm workers’ union president sows seeds of leadership with PCC Equipo
Share: In August 2022, the United Farm Workers Union marched from Delano to Sacramento, following the same path labor leader Cesar Chavez took in 1996. Inspired by Chavez’s achievements, this 335-mile march was held in hopes of passing the California Agriculture Labor Relations Voting Choice Act Assembly Bill. This bill would create more ways for farm workers to vote on union elections without pressure from growers or supervisors. Marching in the heat of summer along those farm workers, for the second time, was the president …
Octavia’s Bookshelf PCC pop-up celebrates diverse voices
Share: Nikki High beamed with excitement and pride as curious PCC students gathered around her popup table in the north patio of the CA building on Tuesday, March 19 to learn more about her local bookstore Octavia’s Bookshelf. Octavia’s Bookshelf is an independent bookstore in Pasadena founded by High to promote the joy and passion of literacy by sharing stories from BIPOC authors. It is named after award-winning author of New York Times Best-Seller “Parable of the Sower” Octavia Butler, who was a PCC alumna. …
Latinx author guides students through generational trauma
Share: As the boisterous crowd began to quiet down and the jazz music heard outside the PCC gymnasium grew louder on Thursday, March 21, author Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez prefaced to the packed room by saying she was not looking to lecture or sugarcoat her words, which included more than a few instances of cursing. “I think it’s important to remind people that cussing doesn’t make someone dumb, that you could be highly successful and still cuss all the time and as much as you …
PCC remembers former Courier editor and photographer Michael Watkins
Share: With heavy hearts, the Courier is sad to learn about the passing of former PCC student Michael Watkins that occurred last weekend. Michael was a friend, son, and mentor, and was a shining contribution to the legacy of PCC and the Courier. Being the phenomenal photographer he was, Michael moved from staff writer to photo editor for the Courier quickly in 2018 and produced quality work to a standard that would be remembered for years to come. “He found photojournalism at PCC in 2015 …
After 44 years at PCC, trustee John Martin will cruise into retirement
Share: Some call John Martin a walking encyclopedia of Pasadena City College and with good reason; having served on the school’s Board of Trustees for the last 44 years, he knows the entire institution, from top to bottom. On Oct. 18 at the Board of Trustees meeting, Trustee Martin announced his retirement and his decision to not run for re-election in the 2024 election for his board seat, opening the door for others to take his position after serving on the board at PCC since …
PCC will lose Dean Futtner in the Fall
Share: Joseph Futtner has been dean at PCC since 2011, but he’s been teaching here since July 1993. All these years, he’s been introducing new programs and enriching the college experience for many students. He will be leaving his job here as a dean in July, and he’ll go back to teaching, but this time in Italy. Follow:
Fastest lap: the sudden rise of Brennan Doyle
Share: In the world of sprints, where a fraction of a second can mean the difference between the best runners and the rest of the pack, one lap catapulted Brennan Doyle, PCC’s second year track standout, from relative obscurity to the radars of college recruiters around the country. Follow: