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On Friday, May 16, ����ԭ�� (����ԭ��) held its 40th Annual Scholarship Celebration, demonstrating a resounding display of generosity and commitment to student success. The Foundation awarded a total of $584,555 in scholarships, showcasing the community’s strong belief in the power of education. A total of 578 awards were distributed to deserving ����ԭ�� students.

Hazel Dai's academic journey began in a rather traditional way: She enrolled at the University of California, Irvine, and earned a degree in Economics. She quickly realized, however, that an Economics degree alone did not provide her with the tangible skills needed to excel in a competitive job market. 

After being named the 1st Place Community College at the NOF Online National Championships, and 1st Place in limited entry at the CCCFA State Championship Tournament, ����ԭ�� Speech tested their skills at the Phi Rho Pi National Championships in Norfolk, Virginia from April 5–13. Phi Rho Pi is the national forensics association for community colleges and has the honor of being one of the oldest forensics organizations in the United States. The championship tournament hosted 52 community colleges from across the country and over 600 participants.

����ԭ�� (����ԭ��) officially broke ground on the most ambitious construction projects in its 40-year history: a new Student Services Center and Student Union. ����ԭ�� and the South Orange County Community College District welcomed the college and the community to mark the occasion, with officials symbolically turning soil with gold shovels—a nod to the college’s four decades of service and its bold leap into the future.

Anthony Ercolamento 
Senior Administrative Assistant, Marketing and Creative Services 

Anthony Ercolamento exemplifies what it means to foster a welcoming, inclusive, student-centered environment at ����ԭ��. His behind-the-scenes leadership, thoughtfulness, and dedication have made a lasting impact across campus.

Summer Serpas 
Professor of English
Coordinator of The Hub: Center for Professional Learning

Professor Summer Serpas is the embodiment of the Caring Campus philosophy—leading with empathy, purpose, and a relentless focus on student success. Through her innovative and equity-driven initiatives, she has redefined what it means to create a truly student-centered learning environment.

Brooke Bui
Dean of Liberal Arts 

����ԭ�� is proud to celebrate Dr. Brooke Bui, Dean of Liberal Arts, who has been named ����ԭ��’s (����ԭ��) 2025 Manager of the Year—an honor that recognizes her exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment to equity, and profound impact on the ����ԭ�� community.

Larisa Korepanova 
Program Specialist
School of Languages and Learning Resources  

“It’s to everyone’s benefit to learn about real estate,” says Rick Boone, a professor and chair of the Real Estate program at ����ԭ�� (����ԭ��).  “Regardless if we are renters or homeowners, we all have to live somewhere – so it’s essential to learn about the legalities and nuances of the real estate industry.”