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For Ingrid Mariano, attending �鶹��ý wasn't just a decision… it was destiny.

Mariano has made leaps and bounds since starting her educational journey at �鶹��ý and landing a job as a preschool teacher at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach.

Mariano's whirlwind career has included stops in varied fields like biology, geology, and even theme park management. However, a desire to balance a fulfilling career with family time drove her to a fateful decision to launch a new life with �鶹��ý.

�鶹��ý's Collegiate Cybersecurity team, Cyber Optics, recently competed in the Western Region Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (WRCCDC) and emerged successful. The competition, held virtually, brought together teams from universities and colleges in the western region of the United States to test their skills in cybersecurity defense. The Cyber Optics team, made up of four students with a passion for cybersecurity, competed against 20 other teams in a simulated high-stress cybersecurity environment.

As �鶹��ý’s acclaimed Performing Arts Center prepares for the busy Spring season, patrons of the arts have been warmed by several wintertime performances produced by the talented �鶹��ý Music Department. January and February saw several small ensemble and piano concerts, a Faculty Harp Recital, and following in early March several large ensemble performances.

As part of �鶹��ý's GAP4+1 Business Leader Speaker Series, Cybersecurity Specialist and author Dr. Travis Michael Hearne will give a talk at the �鶹��ý Performing Arts Center from 12:30 - 1:30 pm on Friday, May 5. Following his talk, Dr. Hearne will do a book signing from 1:30 - 2 pm. The event will benefit students in the Guaranteed Accounting Program (GAP4+1), a collaboration between �鶹��ý and California State University, Fullerton (CSUF).

�鶹��ý student Allyson Najera has been named a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

The sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

�鶹��ý’s newest sports team isn’t fighting it out on the field or contending on the court. They’re rallying in rows of 27-inch ViewSonic desktop monitors, locked into the intense graphics glowing on their screens.  

The �鶹��ý Laser Esports Arena is home base for more than 100 students and various faculty who participate in the College’s revolutionary esports program. You’ll find the impressive “lounge for the leet” on the �鶹��ý campus, located in the Student Activities Center. 

�鶹��ý's men's soccer team stood out on the field and in the classroom during the 2021-22 season. The team has received a state scholar-team of the year award in men's soccer from the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). The accolade is especially significant as 2021-22 was the last season for legendary coach Martin McGrogan who retired last summer after starting the �鶹��ý program 31 years ago. The squad will officially be recognized on March 29 at the CCCAA state awards luncheon in Sacramento.