The election to fill the new North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) Student Trustee Seat is underway. The successful candidate will represent student interests and serve as the link between the North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) Board of Trustees and the NOCE student body.

Ballots open on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 8 a.m.
Ballots close on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 5 p.m.

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NOCE is proud to announce that the Disability Support Services (DSS) Program has been selected as a “Model Program” by the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) at its annual conference held September 24-26, 2025, in Anaheim, California.

The program was recognized for its exemplary initiatives in pathways and persistence. DSS serves adults with disabilities by providing inclusive educational programs, support services, and workforce development opportunities designed to help students succeed in higher education and competitive employment.

The DSS Program at NOCE guides students from K–12 transition to postsecondary education and beyond, offering foundational courses in academics, employment skills, and independent living. NOCE DSS serves students with mild intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and moderate cognitive disabilities through on-campus, online, and community-partnered instruction. Partnerships with NOCE’s Career Technical Education Program have expanded workforce pathways, including noncredit and credit certificates in fields such as healthcare, digital marketing, retail, childcare, and food service. Beyond traditional accommodations, NOCE DSS provides specialized counseling, educational coaching, peer mentoring, neurodivergent learner labs (ARISE), bus mobility training, and the Inclusion Ally program, which trains faculty and staff to support students’ inclusion and persistence. Workforce services assist students in developing employment goals and resumes, practicing interviews, job placements, and achieving competitive employment.

The program’s impact is measurable: in recent years, hundreds of students have participated in ARISE labs, educational coaching, and career programs, with many earning high school diplomas, certificates, and employment. Success stories, such as 2025 Student Success Award recipient Dar’rius Smith, who progressed from DSS classes to earning professional certificates and preparing to transfer to Cypress College for a career in IT support, highlight how the DSS Program transforms skills and career readiness.

A hallmark of the NOCE DSS Program is its collaboration with regional consortia, professional organizations, and community partners, ensuring innovative, replicable, and research-based approaches to inclusion. Through CAEP and other funding sources, the program continues to expand, demonstrating a model for postsecondary institutions across California and the nation. Congratulations to Dr. Adam Gottdank, Associate Dean for DSS Program, and the entire DSS team of faculty and staff for earning this award!

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Congratulations to the 2025 NOCE graduates!

Nearly 700 students were celebrated at the NOCE 2025 Commencement and Student Success Ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos.

NOCE hosted a combined ceremony at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos for the first time to honor student achievement. By combining the two events, NOCE created an environment of inclusivity with a focus on transitioning to “next steps” while celebrating the graduates and program completers across all NOCE instructional programs: career technical education, high school diploma, GED preparation, disability support services transition, English as a Second Language advanced and academic success/college success, citizenship preparation, parenting, and student leadership.

Six outstanding students from each instructional program were also recognized with a Student Success Award for excelling in their academic endeavors, outstanding achievement, and service while often overcoming significant challenges. Thank you to our dignitary guests for attending and celebrating with us: President Brown, Dr. Dunsheath, Dr. Lopez, Dr. Bent, and Trustee Rosales, as well as Chancellor Breland, Vice Chancellor Williams, and District Director Stearns. 

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Due to adverse weather conditions, NOCE creatively reimagined our Black Joy Celebration last Thursday in honor of Black History Month to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

Although the official event program will be postponed to a later date, we were thrilled to present a Black History Month Cultural Experience Walk on the first floor of the Anaheim Campus, hosted by the NOCE ADES Ghana Fellows, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This Cultural Experience Walk provided insights into significant Black historical figures who have made an impact across various cultural domains. Attendees were invited to enjoy a “to-go” lunch, generously provided by Dowhatchalik Food Services and co-sponsored by the District Office of Diversity, Culture, and Inclusion. We extend our gratitude to everyone who joined us in honoring the importance of Black History Month.

We were pleased to welcome Anaheim City Council Members Norma Kurtz and Carlos Leon, along with several other District staff and community partners, including Dr. Byron Clift Breland, Fred Williams, Kai Stearns, Alba Recinos, NOCE Student Trustee Robert Johnson, as well as faculty and staff from Cypress College and Fullerton College.

Special thanks go to the NOCE Ghana Faculty Fellows—Tina McClurkin, Dr. Kimberley H. Stiemke, Afraim Sedrak, and Matt Van Gelder—along with the entire planning team: Danielle Davy, Julie Schoepf, Valentina Purtell, Jennifer Perez, Neshia Jenkins, Antionese “Annie” Cotton, Jayzelle Mata, Nancy Flores, Maria Aceituno, Stacy Webb, and Renee Myles, as well as the many dedicated employee and student volunteers.

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For the first time in NOCE’s 50+ years of history, a special election to seat one of our students as an official Student Trustee at the Board of Trustees meeting was held, and the results are in!

We are pleased to share that Robert Johnson has been elected as the NOCE Student Trustee!

A Career Technical Education (CTE) student, active Student Leader, and President of the Technology Club, Johnson is a model student at North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE). He also represents students on the President’s Cabinet and has been an active participant in numerous community and outreach events.

Moving forward, Johnson will now be engaged in the required training sessions and will then be seated as the NOCE Student Trustee at the first NOCCCD Board of Trustees meeting in December 2024. We invite all students, faculty, and staff to attend the meeting on December 10, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. to congratulate and support Johnson.

We would like to recognize all the student candidates for their dedication in taking the time to participate in this special campaign. Their participation in this first campaign shows their commitment to making NOCE shine and their willingness to be the student voice for NOCE. Thank you, Yellckin Brenes, Martha Gabriela Diaz, MaLuisa Hernandez, Kristine Nacu, and Lourdes Valiente.

Congratulations to Robert Johnson on his new role as NOCE Student Trustee! We are excited to work alongside him as he helps shape the future of NOCE with his leadership and commitment to student advocacy. 

The post NOCE’s First Student Trustee: Congrats, Robert Johnson appeared first on North Orange Continuing Education.

For the first time in NOCE’s 50+ years of history, a special election to seat one of our students as an official Student Trustee at the Board of Trustees meeting was held, and the results are in!

We are pleased to share that Robert Johnson has been elected as the NOCE Student Trustee!

A Career Technical Education (CTE) student, active Student Leader, and President of the Technology Club, Johnson is a model student at North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE). He also represents students on the President’s Cabinet and has been an active participant in numerous community and outreach events.

Moving forward, Johnson will now be engaged in the required training sessions and will then be seated as the NOCE Student Trustee at the first NOCCCD Board of Trustees meeting in December 2024. We invite all students, faculty, and staff to attend the meeting on December 10, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. to congratulate and support Johnson.

We would like to recognize all the student candidates for their dedication in taking the time to participate in this special campaign. Their participation in this first campaign shows their commitment to making NOCE shine and their willingness to be the student voice for NOCE. Thank you, Yellckin Brenes, Martha Gabriela Diaz, MaLuisa Hernandez, Kristine Nacu, and Lourdes Valiente.

Congratulations to Robert Johnson on his new role as NOCE Student Trustee! We are excited to work alongside him as he helps shape the future of NOCE with his leadership and commitment to student advocacy. 

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Congratulations to the NOCE graduates and completers who were recognized at the events.

In addition, NOCE celebrated 10 Student Success Award winners who were nominated by faculty and staff. Two students from each instructional program were selected, awarded, and celebrated at the afternoon’s Student Success Event for embodying leadership, determination, and success while overcoming obstacles.

Thanks to the NOCE Commencement and Student Success Event Committee, who worked tirelessly to ensure successful events and for their leadership in designing a special experience for our students and their guests.

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The event will be held at the NOCE Cypress Center – Building 18 and TEII (Parking Lot 4). The purpose of the resource fair is to engage students and community members with support, services, and to promote registration and transition. Some of the partners and programs participating in the Power Up Resource Fair include (but are not limited to):

Students will be able to get a FREE cell phone or tablet*, pick up free diapers, apply for ongoing food support through CalFresh*, connect with legal services, chat about mental health resources, learn about job opportunities, and register for tuition-free courses. (*Income eligibility is required for some services).

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Your Future Awaits: NOCE Career Fair

Connect with top employers. Secure your dream job.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

NOCE Anaheim Campus, Rooms 105/107

1830 West Romneya Drive
Anaheim, CA 92801

The post Join us for our 2023 Fall Career Fair this Wednesday, October 25, 2023 appeared first on North Orange Continuing Education.

The recent Vision 2030: A Call to Action-Adult Education Summit, co-hosted by North Orange Continuing Education (NOCE) California Community College (CCC) Chancellor’s Office, and San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE), highlighted the desire to invest, elevate, and reimagine adult education. The two-day summit held October 5-6, 2023, at SDCCCE, brought together more than 300 influential elected officials, community college visionaries, and representatives from business, industry, and labor to share expertise and innovative solutions to eliminate barriers for adult learners to reach their personal, educational, and career goals. CCC Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian, NOCE,and SDCCCE were proud to work together to showcase adult education as an accessible, nimble, and responsive segment of higher education for equitable education and socio-economic mobility.

Day one started with an overview by both noncredit education providers’ CEOs, NOCE President Valentina Purtell and SDCCE President Dr. Tina King. The two shared the comprehensive instructional and student support services offered by each institution and the desire to strengthen our communities through education. Next, an address from CCC Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian emphasized the critical importance of noncredit, adult education in uplifting the 6.8 million Californians living in or near poverty.

Panelists from government, business and industry, media, and education shared the stage throughout the two days, discussing topics that would elevate and reframe noncredit into an important engine for economic mobility. Some of the topics included successful and emerging adult education practices; pre-apprenticeship programs and workforce initiatives; pathways from noncredit-to-credit programs; baccalaureate degrees; data infrastructure; successful curricula for adult learners; and basic needs and student support services. A highlight of the summit was the student panel. Moderated by Board of Governors Student Trustee Paul Medina with students from NOCE, SDCCE, and East Los Angeles College, the group talked about how transformational experiences in noncredit programs shaped their career and educational journeys. NOCE was represented by Neshia Jenkins, student leader and Special Projects Coordinator, Community Engagement and Outreach.

Thanks to NOCE Vice President of Instruction Dr. Karen Bautista for serving as co-emcee, , as well as Special Projects Director for the Community College Technical Assistance Program (CC TAP) Dr. Lisa Takami for serving as a moderator about empowering lifelong learners, a panel with President Purtell, President Dr. King, and Citrus College Superintendent/President Dr. Greg Schulz. Dr. Cathleen Greiner introduced the NOCCCD Center for Entrepreneurship as an innovative program to offer instruction and financial support to adult learners seeking to start their own business. In addition, the Association of Community and Continuing Education (ACCE) noncredit professional advocacy organization was represented by Dr. Madelyn Arballo, Vice President at Mt. San Antonio College, as she spoke on a panel about adult education as a path to equitable workforce and economic development.

On Day two, North Orange County Community College District (NOCCCD) Chancellor Dr. Byron D. Clift Breland joined CCC Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian and San Diego Community College District Acting Chancellor Gregory A. Smith to discuss ways that leaders in community colleges can support adult education on their campuses. Dr. Breland emphasized equity in serving all students in our communities.

Vice President of Student Services Martha Gutierrez participated in a panel exploring ways to provide a comprehensive network of support services to eliminate barriers and ensure adult learner persistence. NOCE Basic Skills Faculty Member, Curriculum Chair, and ASCCC South Representative Dr. Kimberley Stiemke spoke as part of a panel about what faculty members need to support adult learners in and out of the classroom.

We were pleased to welcome and hear from Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Secretary of Labor Stewart Knox, Assemblymember David Alvarez, Assemblymember Chris Ward, Deputy Cabinet Secretary to California Governor Newsom Ben Chida, and San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Monica Mongomery Steppe.

Dr. Daisy Gonzales, Deputy Chancellor of California Community Colleges, shared 10 action steps to continue the momentum for investing in adult education at the close of the Vision 2030-Adult Education Summit:

• Build noncredit-to-credit baccalaureate programs.
• Provide credit for prior learning.
• Nurture new partnerships.
• Develop new tools to engage, then listen, to design basic needs support.
• Build flexible learning environments.
• Expand paid work-based learning.
• Integrate needs within the ecosystem.
• Create spaces to innovate with employers.
• Build robust career exploration and job placement.
• Tell our adult education story.

In addition, Presidents Purtell and Dr. King developed a document, Vision 2030: A Call to Action-Adult Education Summit – Challenges and Opportunities for Adult Education. The brief lists challenges as well as several proposed solutions for intentional investment in expanding the capacity of noncredit education to offer equitable access to education leading to economic mobility.

The Vision 2030: A Call to Action – Adult Education Summit website showcases the agenda, speakers, and sponsors. To view photos from the summit, click here: Photos-Vision 2030: A Call to Action-Adult Education Summit

The live stream videos of the event are available to watch via YouTube:

• Vision 2030: A Call to Action-Adult Education Summit – Day 1
• Vision 2030: A Call to Action-Adult Education Summit – Day 2

Special thanks to the NOCE planning team who worked tirelessly together with SDCCE on developing and executing this historic event; led by Executive Assistant to the President Julie Schoepf and Campus Communications Director Jennifer Perez and including NOCE team members who also hosted the prestigious panel members, and served as marketing representatives and media/press contacts: Amabel Arredondo, Michelle Bringman, Antionese Cotton, Nancy Flores, Monica Gomez, and Jayzelle Mata. NOCE looks forward to co-hosting the 2024 Adult Education Summit in Anaheim.

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