North Bay Business Journal

As graduates face challenging job market, colleges help

Recognizing challenges in the job market, institutions of higher learning have been making focused efforts to help their graduates find and be prepared for work, and North Bay colleges and universities are no exception.

2011 top stories: New hospital, tech advances define year of the economy

The national and local economy was on everyone’s mind in 2011. But as the Business Journal editorial staff set out to develop its Top Ten Stories of the Year, it quickly became clear that the North Bay was blessed with multiple economy-boosting projects and new commitments job creation.

$20 million B. Robert Burdo Culinary Arts Center set to serve students and public

In addition to serving the needs of the county’s only professional culinary program, the 22,000-square-foot building will also be serving up food and treats to the public.

SRJC names new president

Dr. Frank Chong will succeed Dr. Robert F. Agrella as superintendant and president of Santa Rosa Junior College, following the current president’s 21 years in the position. “I am grateful for the trust that the board of trustees has placed in me and honored to become part of the vibrant, growing Sonoma County community,” said Dr. Chong. Dr. Chong, currently the deputy assistant secretary for community colleges at the U.S. Department of Education, will begin in his new role on Jan. 11. He was formerly the president of Laney College in Oakland and Mission College in Santa Clara, as well as the campus dean and dean of student affairs at San Francisco City College. The Santa Rosa Junior College Board of Trustees selected Dr. Chong from a field of 42 applicants.

RUP charter high adding help for college students

SANTA ROSA – The Roseland School District has embarked on a district-wide program to help students complete their post-high school studies and graduate with a degree.

SRJC culinary center on track

The new Culinary Arts Center will be the latest academic addition to the Santa Rosa Junior College campus.

BEST economic program kicked off

SANTA ROSA — A proactive and coordinated effort from the public and private sectors targeting job growth, Sonoma County BEST – “Building Economic Success Together” — officially kicked off with a breakfast this morning at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Career colleges react strongly to fed’s ‘gainful employment’ rules

NORTH BAY — A provision put forward by the Federal Department of Education and slated to go into effect in 2011 is alarming career colleges with the possibility that government-backed student loans will be unavailable for certain programs.

Q&A: SRJC’s Dr. Robert Agrella

NORTH BAY – Dr. Robert Agrella, president and superintendent of Santa Rosa Junior College for 21 years, recently announced his retirement from a 43-year career in education.

Agrella retiring after 21 years with SRJC

SANTA ROSA – Dr. Robert Agrella, president and superintendent of Santa Rosa Junior College for the past 21 years, will retire effective June 30, 2011.

“Much has improved for the students and employees of SRJC since Dr. Agrella became president in 1990,” said SRJC Board of Trustees President Richard Call. “He has managed the greatest growth period in the history of the college.”

Bill to streamline college transfer process advances

NORTH BAY – California Community College officials are hopeful that a bill to put into place standards for students who transfer from a California community college to the California State University will be approved this month.

Education: It’s wildflower time at Pepperwood Preserve

The Pepperwood Preserve will hold its annual wildflower festival on April 10. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the free event will showcase the native wildflowers of Pepperwood and the views of the Mayacamas Mountains.

For glimpse of future, look in these classrooms

SANTA ROSA — Schools serving students from kindergarten to college are making use of the constant forward movement of technology to better instruct students both inside and out of the classroom.

SRJC is a gathering place for academic life

Santa Rosa Junior College’s new multilevel Lawrence A. Bertolini Student Services Center, scheduled for completion this month, brings together under one roof a number of vital student services previously disbursed across the Santa Rosa campus.

Startup launches communications tech

Santa Rosa Junior College is saving tens of thousands of dollars by rolling out technology developed by Petaluma startup Utelogy with lots of input from JC Media Services leaders.

Projects to be honored for excellence, contributions to North Bay

NORTH BAY – The Business Journal will honor 11 North Bay real estate projects and the key industry players who made them possible at its fourth-annual 2009 Top Projects Awards reception on Dec. 10.

Saggio Hills bounty: 12,000 oak seedlings donated around county

HEALDSBURG – A year and a half ago, Saggio Hills in Healdsburg collected acorns to make seedlings to plant on the site of the proposed spa and residential development. About 5,000 acorns were collected, but the seedlings didn’t take and a year later workers went back to collect more.

SRJC Doyle campaign nets $221,000

SANTA ROSA – The “Bridging the Doyle” fundraising campaign generated more than a quarter of a million dollars this summer to help close the scholarship gap at Santa Rosa Junior College.

$221,000 raised for SRJC Doyle scholarship

SANTA ROSA — The “Bridging the Doyle” fund raising campaign generated more than a quarter of a million dollars this summer to help close the scholarship gap at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Health Care: Federal judge halts cuts to program for disabled adults

A federal judge has halted cuts to adult day health care programs for low-income disabled that were cut as part of the state’s response to its budget deficit.