Eliliana Becerra honored with Yuba Spirit Award for dedication to students At Yuba College, Eliliana Becerra is more than just the director of the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement) program: she is a mentor, motivator and consistent source of support for the students she serves. Now, her hard work and community spirit are being recognized with one of the college’s … Read More
Darla Hagerman receives CSEA Professional Excellence Award for commitment to students Darla Hagerman’s path through Yuba College has come full circle. Once a student walking the campus, she now helps guide others through their own educational journeys. As an instructional associate, Hagerman’s days are filled with tutoring support, campus involvement and a deep commitment to student success. Now, the college … Read More
Nancy Toche honored with Blue and Gold Spirit Award Nancy Toche’s days start early, long before most students and faculty arrive on campus. As a Grounds Maintenance Worker for the Yuba Community College District, she is often the first to see Yuba College’s Marysville Campus . With her endless positivity and years of dedication, Toche has become a familiar and … Read More
Mehran Mesbah honored with Part-Time Faculty Excellence Award Since joining Yuba College in the spring of 2021, Mehran Mesbah, known around campus as Mehr, has transformed more than just his classroom. He has helped shape a culture of creativity, connection and inspiration that extends beyond art and into the heart of the campus community. Now, his work is being honored … Read More
Denice Burbach honored with Full-Time Faculty Excellence Award When Denice Burbach began her career in early childhood education, she never imagined she would one day be teaching at the college level, let alone be recognized for it. After 25 years of teaching preschool and another decade working in high school education, Burbach returned to where her own academic journey began: … Read More
Teaching through lived experiences SOMER HANSON Simone Ralls describes the long list of professional certification acronyms following her name as alphabet soup. ER RN, BA, BSN, CEN, TNCC, MICN. With more acronyms to come. Let’s break it down: Emergency Room Registered Nurse, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Certified Emergency Nurse, Trauma Nursing Core Course and Mobile Intensive … Read More
An amazing professor, mother and colleague SOMER HANSON Page Gearhart-Davis was homeless, pregnant and a mom to four children when she enrolled at Yuba College in 2013 as a re-entry student. She saw education as the means to be able to take care of her family financially. More than a decade later, with her youngest child now 11 years old, … Read More
Leaving a legacy SOMER HANSON A member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians, Kelly Boren grew up on the reservation in northern San Diego County. To get to school, Boren boarded the bus at 6:30 a.m. and returned home after baseball, basketball or football practice at 8 p.m. every day. Boren’s father was a heavy equipment operator who … Read More
It’s my hobby after all SOMER HANSON Did you know you have glitter in your pocket? Ask Kimberly Butcher, Early Childhood Education adjunct faculty at Yuba College, and she’ll explain the glitter in your pocket is the key to connecting with children. “Kids are amazing because they’re so open, imaginative, and playful,” Butcher said. “I often say, ‘Take the glitter … Read More
A Life of Service Sommer Hanson Back home in California after a recent trip to Bangladesh, Neelam Canto-Lugo still wakes up throughout the night. The retired Yuba College professor and volunteer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is used to adjusting to the different time zones. In retirement, Canto-Lugo is fond of waking up to the flowering … Read More
