Fall 2025 SRJC Petaluma Campus Updates by SRJC Petaluma
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Fall 2025 SRJC Petaluma Campus Updates
FALL 2025 UPDATES
WELCOME JESSICA HICKS, NP
Jessica Hicks is the new NP that will be working with students on the Petaluma Campus. Jessica is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who graduated with honors from Samuel Merritt University in 2013. She brings over a decade of experience in diverse medical settings including hospice, addiction medicine, and primary care.
Prior to joining the Santa Rosa Junior College Health Clinic, Jessica served as a primary care provider across Marin County, managing complex chronic conditions in elderly populations with a focus on compassionate, patient-centered care. She is passionate about trauma-informed healing, community wellness, and fostering supportive environments for both patients and colleagues.
Outside of her clinical work, Jessica is an active community member, a mother of two, and a former visual effects producer who continues to integrate creativity, organization, and empathy into all she does.
MEET INTERN EMILY KASAI
Hi, nice to meet you! My name is Emily Kasai, and I'm a graduate student in the Counseling program at SFSU with a focus in college counseling and clinical mental health counseling.
Some of my favorite parts of counseling are helping students find their passion(s) and supporting them through the tricky parts of college life, like balancing school with life’s curveballs. Outside of counseling, I enjoy reading, playing with my dog, Kiwi, practicing piano, drawing/painting, photography, and crafting in general. I hope we'll get to meet in person soon, as I'm excited to work with and learn from all of you this year!
Campus Updates
FASHION GIVES ROSCO NEW CLOTHES
Students from the Fashion Studies Program completed an exciting project over the summer. In partnership with the SRJC Marketing team, Fashion Studies designed and crafted a new outfit for Rosco the Bear Cub. The process started with a fitting where Rosco's measurements were taken and a sample garment was tested. Then the students got to work making a one-of-a-kind pair of overalls that are made from upcycled and repurposed denim from old jeans.
Rosco debuted the outfit at the Santa Rosa and Petaluma Welcome Day events. Rosco seems to love his new fit, and we hope he will get lots of chances to show it off during the coming year... Maybe even a chance to walk in the Spring Fashion Show? Stay tuned to find out more.
HEROLD MAHONEY LIBRARY GALLERY HOSTS HOLLYWOOD!
Visit the Herold Mahoney Library Gallery for the SRJC Theatre Arts Hollywood Costume Exhibit, the opening reception of which took place at LumaFest on Saturday, October 18. The exhibit featured costumes from SRJC Theatre productions and photographs of Hollywood costumes featured in the recent publication, The Costumes of Hollywood: Highlights from The Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design, by SRJC’s Coleen Scott Trivett and Hollywood costume collector Larry McQueen.
Coleen Scott Trivett is a tenured faculty member in the SRJC Theatre Arts and Fashion Studies Department, where she leads the Costume Design, Technology, and Makeup programs. Larry McQueen is a prominent Hollywood costume historian and archivist.
Guests enjoyed snacks and had the opportunity to meet the authors, who answered questions and signed (pre-purchased) copies of their book during the reception from 12–2 PM. The Library Gallery was open from 11 AM–3 PM throughout LumaFest.
BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER: PETALUMA PDA KICKOFF SPARKS COLLABORATION
The Petaluma Appreciative Observation Kickoff brought together Laura Sparks, Riva Bruenn, AC Panella, and Anna Brown along with colleagues from across the campus to strengthen community collaboration. Participants worked together to design the appreciative observation schedule, begin shaping the 2025–2026 campus theme, and explore creative ways to connect courses around shared goals. A big thank-you to everyone who joined in to celebrate our strengths and build momentum for the year ahead!
OCTOBER EVENTS FOR THEMATIC LEARNING OPPORTUNITY: Exploring Borders, Identity, Power, and the Spaces In Between
This October, a vibrant series of events are aligned with this year’s TLO theme: “Borders: Identity, Power, and the Spaces In Between.” These programs center cultural identity, resistance, and creative expression, offering students a space to explore the borders that shape our lives.
Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 12 PM – 1 PM | Petaluma Intercultural Center
The Intercultural Center hosted a creative session painting calaveras (skull ornaments) to honor loved ones. Thank you for expressing your identity, celebrating family, and contributing to the community altar.
PETALUMA CAMPUS WELCOME DAY: A LOOK BACK AT A SUCCESSFUL START TO FALL 2025
The Petaluma Campus successfully hosted its Welcome Day and Saturday Services, accomplishing the key goal of preparing students and fostering community ahead of the Fall 2025 semester. Students finalized their preparations and took care of last-minute business during the comprehensive, in-person event.
A significant focus of the day was academic readiness and practical assistance. Participants engaged in essential workshops that provided immediate outcomes. Students received hands-on help, including financial aid assistance and campus tech assistance. They also achieved important academic connections by having the opportunity to meet their Math, English, or EMLS faculty. Furthermore, workshops covered critical topics such as Cultural Identity in Higher Education and provided necessary guidance during the dedicated Parent Info session.
FROM BARRIERS TO BREAKTHROUGHS: THE POWER OF EMLS STUDENT VOICES
Five students from the EMLS Program at SRJC Petaluma have been selected for publication in the upcoming 2025–26 edition of The Change Agent, a national online magazine showcasing the powerful writing of adult learners.
Participating in this outside assignment is a big step for our students — writing and being published in English, their second language, helps them build confidence, develop a strong sense of agency, and believe in their ability to express themselves fully.
This new edition of The Change Agent focuses on the complex idea of disability — not only as medical diagnoses, like dyslexia or anxiety, but also as real-life barriers that limit access, opportunity, and support. Through their moving stories, the students offer honest insights into the challenges they face, showing how the hardest obstacles are often the misunderstandings and lack of accommodations around them.
Faculty member Bentley Cavazzi shared that being part of this publication is a powerful experience that reminds both students and faculty of the power of voice and inspires more speaking, storytelling, and debate in the classroom.
FRIENDS OF PETALUMA GRANT HELPS AYLIN REACH NEW LEADERSHIP MILESTONE
Congratulations to Aylin Atilgan Relya, who recently completed the English Language Teaching (ELT) Leadership Management Certificate Program through the TESOL International Association with a perfect score of 100/100!
This intensive leadership program provides research-based training for educators in administrative and management roles across higher education. Aylin shared that the experience was “one of the best leadership trainings I’ve received in my career,” offering opportunities for reflection, collaboration, and practical application of leadership principles in education.
Through the program, Aylin collaborated with peers and mentors from around the world to develop action plans for enhancing teaching and learning at SRJC. She expressed gratitude to her SRJC colleagues and to the Friends of Petaluma Professional Development Grant for supporting her participation.
PETALUMA PUENTE FAMILY TAKES INSPIRATION ON THE ROAD!
The SRJC Puente familia wrapped up another amazing Motivational Conference weekend, visiting Sac State on Friday, October 24, and UC Davis on Saturday. Students and mentors came back energized, connected, and ready to keep reaching higher together!
We are so grateful for our Puente faculty who support such great students.
CAUGHT ON CAMPUS: THE WILD SIDE OF SRJC
From the eyes of Groundskeeper Michael Young
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT LUMAFEST 2025!