SBCC Vaquero Voices

Akil and Hong welcome Alejandra to the show to talk about the School of Extended Learning and all of the recent changes (most planned, but some unexpected) happening at the Schott and Wake campuses. From there, the three discuss Alejandra's time at SBCC - as a student, hourly employee, part-time, and then coming back as a director - before delving into some of her favorite restaurants, books, and podcasts. Make sure to check the show notes for bonus recommendations from Alejandra after we finished recording!

Akil and Hong welcome Dan Le Guen-Schmidt to the show to discuss his approach to Human Resources and what he believes makes for successful departments and teams. From there, the trio discuss Dan's path from the twin-cities area to Santa Barbara (with stops in Boston and the Bay Area along the way), discuss favorite styles of hotdish, and how working and touring as a musician earlier in his life set him up on the career path he's on today (and also taught him about how wonderful the McDonald's restaurants in Japan are).

Akil and Hong welcome Emma Horanic - the new director of SBCC's Marine Diving Technician program - to the show to discuss the program and what makes it special, starting with its roots in the region itself, its ridiculously low-cost compared to similar certificate programs throughout the country, and moving on to what students should be aware of before starting the program and what awaits them after they've finished. From there, the three discuss Emma's path to and through the program herself, her tradition of making Pizzelles for her family, and then discuss her love for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and how her love of the franchise is a perfect encapsulation of higher learning as a concept on this show and in our campus community.

Hong welcomes Melissa Menendez to the show to discuss Raíces - the first-year experience and student empowerment program at SBCC that centers Latiné students by celebrating Cultura, Conocimiento y Comunidad. From there, the two discuss Melissa's path to SBCC (which winds through the first two Coachella festivals!) along with some of her favorite foods - Fideo soup, tamales - and pieces of culture (essential books by Gary Soto, Sandra Cisneros, and an extensive record collection!).

Akil and Hong welcome Jesse Felix to the show as he gets ready to depart SBCC for new adventures; the three discuss the purchasing department, the various positions and transfers Jesse held while at SBCC, and some of his favorite foods (pierogi, pigs in a blanket) and books (The Covenant of Water, This Poison Heart).

Akil and Hong welcome Christina Llerena to the show! Christina is the Dean of Student Affairs at the college, and beyond diving in to all of the areas under her purview, the trio discuss her path to SBCC from Detroit and then New York, and then dive deeper into Christina's favorite foods and pieces of culture. Items discussed include: burgers at the Kitchen at Calvary Chapel, Paella, Chicken Parmesan, Nedra Glover Tawwab, Astrology, Taylor Swift, and Depeche Mode

Akil and Hong welcome Jing Liu to the show! Jing is the new SBCC Director of International Programs, and the trio discuss how things are going for her so far; from there, Jing breaks down her path to SBCC from China to Florida to Santa Barbara, goes over her love of "brothy noodles" in "Good Eatin'," and blesses "Higher Learning" with a conversation on Matthew Desmond's new book Poverty, By America.

Akil and Hong welcome Dr. Dean Nevins to the show! Dean is the Executive Director of IT at the college, and the trio break down how IT works to serve students and the college and keep things working as best they can. From there, Dean charts out his path to SBCC, with stops in Japan and work on various projects sprinkled throughout the conversation. What follows after is the most extensive list of "good eatin'" ever shared on the show, along with a deep dive on pinball and arcade culture in "higher learning."

Akil and Hong welcome Diego to the show to learn more about the Life Fitness Center at SBCC. In the process, Diego breaks down his entire path to SBCC in enlightening detail, charting his journey as a young child in Mexico City to where he is today, serving as an esteemed tenure-track member of the Physical Education faculty here at the college. From there, the trio discuss Diego's favorite foods - Pambazos, Mole Verde, and Ensenada style fish tacos specifically - and some of the amazing books, movies, and TV shows that have made a lasting impact on his life. A truly special episode!

Akil and Hong welcome SBCC Board of Trustees president Jonathan Abboud to the show to talk about the board and its role in the SBCC administrative process. From there, the three do a deep dive into Jonathan's path from LA to Santa Barbara, and then from there discuss Jonathan's favorite restaurants in LA and SB, along with the films, books, music, and video games (a first for the show!) that have helped make him who he is today.

Hong and Akil welcome SBCC football coach Craig Moropoulos to the show to discuss the football team's incredible season (Beach Bowl Winners!) and how the team builds off of its success; from there, the three take a walk down memory lane discussing Santa Barbara history and sports legends while tracing coach's path to SBCC before talking about Greek food, 80s music, and John Wooden's Success Pyramid.

Akil and Hong welcome Leslie to the show to talk about the new SBCC Dream Center and the Undocumented Student Week of Action that accompanied its opening. From there, the three discuss Leslie's journey to SBCC, some of her favorite foods and restaurants, and then some of the music that is on her playlist right now. Akil and Hong join in with their contributions highlighting Lao/Thai food in Carpinteria, Cantonese BBQ and the Lunar New Year, some favorite songs from last year, and the TV adaptation of Octavia Butler's Kindred.