By TR Robertson
Stacy Rungaitis, Executive Director of the Palomar College Foundation, said in the meet and greet prior to the morning breakfast presentation highlighting the accomplishments of Palomar College, that she was excited to present to the packed Escondido California Center for the Arts Conference Room attendees, the success this North County college has displayed for the year. Rungaitis pointed out that those in attendance included education partners, business leaders, chamber and organization members, elected officials from local, county and state offices and a number of Palomar College faculty and students. She said the morning program would include an address by Palomar College Superintendent/President Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, a presentation of this years Comet Award and a recognition of the successful Rising Scholars Program. The different locations of Palomar College facilities serve one-fourth of San Diego County.

After the early morning breakfast and a period allowing those attending to meet and greet and network, Ms. Rungaitis welcomed those in attendance and went through a series of introductions of Palomar College Board members, colleagues, elected officials, guests and high school and higher education program members. She also thanked and presented on two large side screens all the various sponsors for the Foundation. With a backdrop of “Because of You, I Can Dream Bigger,” she then introduced the morning speaker, Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, Palomar College Superintendent/President was introduced.

Dr. Rivera-Lacey began by stating this is the 76th year for Palomar College and they are currently in their planning stages for the Facilities and Vision Plan and Projects that are both underway and needed for the future. She said the key is for the college to keep adapting to a changing world and reimagining the academic plan that will be needed. Palomar College keeps expanding the facilities of their Education Centers, with locations in Escondido, Fallbrook, and Rancho Bernardo. They are also involved in a new joint effort program with Poway Unified School District. Dr. Rivera-Lacey listed the Early Childhood Education Program and Auto Technology Program in the expanded Industrial Arts Center as examples of programs to meet new demands. The 2nd phase for Palomar College will continue to see what expansion will look like for all the Palomar College facilities up to 2035. On the screens on either side of the stage, images of the number of accomplishments Palomar College have achieved were shown. Some of these include the Athletic Support Facility, the Fallbrook Education Center, and the expansion of the Palomar Library. Dr. Rivera-Lacey wanted to thank and point out the diligent employees of the college as well. She mentioned that the college was awarded a spot in the top 100 colleges for Hispanics and awarded one of twenty Native American Success grants. She was proud of the creation of a Basic Needs Center complete with showers, food, and other needs for economically disadvantaged students. As she completed her presentation, the successful athletic and performing arts programs were singled out, making special mention of the 31-1 Palomar Women’s Basketball Team. A final thank you was given to the Palomar Education Foundation and Board of Directors for their continuing support.

Next on the agenda was the 2023 Comet Award, given this year to Mr. Klaus Kirchhoff. Mr. Kirchhoff has been a strong supporter of Palomar College in a variety of ways. In a video presentation by Mr. Kirchhoff, he told his story of beginning his life in Germany, following in his father’s footsteps as a successful architect and his connection to helping students at Palomar College. After his introduction, he spoke of his desire to help students achieve their goals and wanting to support students in need. His scholarship programs are awarded to students in the trades and nursing fields.

The final presentation for the morning Palomar College Community Showcase was the introduction of Dr. Nora Kenney, Acting Director, Occupational & Noncredit Programs Transition Programs, also referred to as the Rising Scholars Program. This unique program began in 2018 and has assisted hundreds of students who are currently or formerly incarcerated as they start to transition in search of careers or working toward acquiring credits to transfer to other universities. Dr. Kenney said about 2/3 of the students are studying to become drug and alcohol counselors. The program has a tremendous success rate with less than 6% of these students being arrested again. A new facility will open on the Palomar campus in the spring. Two of the students currently enrolled, Natalia O. and Derek B., spoke about some of the challenges they have faced and how the Rising Scholars Program helped turn their life around. After their presentations, a short trailer of a Palomar College TV Production Documentary, “Almost Home – Life After Incarceration” was shown. A special screening will be held at The Ritz Theatre, 301 East Grand Avenue, Escondido, and will be held Thursday, June 8, 6-8 P.M.

With the closing of the program, Stacy Rungaitis thanked those in attendance and reminding everyone to “Rise Up and Chase Your Dreams” and to not forget to take their “Rise and Shine” coffee mug home, supplied by the Palomar College Foundation and all the sponsors.