San Bernardino Valley College Foundation Celebrates Success of Valley-Bound Commitment Program

The Recognition of Excellence Luncheon took place Friday, Jan. 29 at San Bernardino Valley College, as the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation honored the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their continued support of the award-winning Valley-Bound Commitment Program. The program, in its seventh year, provides a free first year of college to local graduating high school students. The luncheon highlighted the Valley-Bound Commitment program’s contribution to student success and featured speakers from the program, the SBVC Foundation, and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. SBVC Dean of Counseling & Matriculation Marco Cota called it a privilege to be a part of the Valley-Bound Commitment Program. Cota welcomed Extended Opportunity Programs & Services Director Carmen Rodriguez who presented on the program’s success, reporting that 45 Valley-Bound Commitment students will graduate this May. She discussed the benefits of the program’s community service requirement and the general guidance the program provides. The program also yields high grade point averages and high second-year return rates. The student panel, led by Valley-Bound Commitment Director Johnny Conley, featured five of the program’s top students. Among the topics, the students discussed giving back to the community. Growing up in a difficult neighborhood in need of role models, student George Flagg Martin recalled asking himself, “Why not be one?” The program “inspired me to do better,” said student Micayla Weber, whose own mother decided to return to college after being inspired by her daughter. Foundation President Lynda Savage later introduced San Manuel’s Program Officer for Education Faun White who spoke on the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ support of the area and their position on the importance of education. “We at San Bernardino Valley College are very grateful to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their gift to assist our students in our community,” said Conley. “Their contribution has afforded students an opportunity to pursue their educational goals at San Bernardino Valley College. Without their assistance many of the students in Valley-Bound would not be enrolled in college. Overall, San Manuel has been instrumental in promoting student success within our community.”