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A new initiative at �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) is championing diversity in the legal field.

The Pathways to Law School program, which is now underway at �鶹��ý, is overseen by June McLaughlin, an �鶹��ý professor and director of its American Bar Association (ABA)-approved Paralegal Studies program. 

Starting college behind bars is no one’s idea of a promising beginning, but for formerly incarcerated Clifford Haines, equal amounts grit and grace has led to completion of an associate’s degree at �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) (with one more on the way), plus a path toward a business degree at Cal State Long Beach.

Professor of English Kurt Meyer recently received a pin from the acknowledging his 20 years of service as �鶹��ý’s PTK Chapter Advisor. �鶹��ý President John Hernandez and Dean of Liberal Arts Brooke Bui surprised Professor Meyer with the pin last month.  

For the third year in a row, �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) has been named one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to the Great Colleges to Work For® program. The results, distributed in a special insert of The Chronicle of Higher Education are based on a survey of 216 colleges and universities. In all, achieved “Great College to Work For” recognition for specific best practices and policies.

�鶹��ý (�鶹��ý) is proud to announce a historic milestone in its four decades of serving Irvine and the surrounding community. As of September 9, �鶹��ý's fall census enrollment headcount has reached a record 15,848 students, the highest number since the college's founding in 1985. 

This figure represents the total number of unduplicated students currently enrolled in courses at the college. The achievement reflects �鶹��ý’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education and meeting the needs of its growing student population.

Whether she’s teeing off on the golf course or problem solving on the computer, Vaishu Kagita consistently strives to boost her skills while closing gender gaps.

The current president of �鶹��ý (�鶹��ý)’s Girls Who Code Club – working to advance the role of women in technology – and a former member of her high school’s varsity golf team, she is now a data science major at �鶹��ý.

Poorya “Pooris” Baine is firmly focused on taking a lifelong passion and transforming it into his life’s work.  

But his hasn’t been a straightforward or easy path. 

He grew up in Northern Iran, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and eventually ran his own video game company – testing and selling games and related accessories while capitalizing on his love for game development and design. 

“I started playing video games during the Atari era when I was just seven years old, it’s been a passion ever since,” he says.

Personal finance company recently published a list of the best community colleges in 2024, ranking �鶹��ý as the #1 community college in California and #6 nationwide. WalletHub compared over 650 community colleges across the United States, evaluating 18 key cost and quality indicators. Their rankings were based on where students can receive the best education at the lowest price. The news has garnered local media attention, further publicizing this honorable recognition for �鶹��ý.

In July, members of the �鶹��ý Chorale joined choirs from across the U.S. when they traveled to France to participate in the Paris Choral Festival, commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and the Liberation of France. The group visited Normandy, including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, where they performed during a wreath-laying ceremony. They also explored cultural sites like Mont Saint-Michel and the Rouen Cathedral, famously painted by Claude Monet.