Latest news with #CalPolyPomona
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE ANNOUNCES NEW ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN URBAN PLANNING
LBCC is the First in the State to Offer this Degree Long Beach, CA, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nearly one year ago, Long Beach City College (LBCC) launched the first Urban Planning associate degree in the California Community Colleges system, through a new partnership with Cal Poly Pomona. 'Our new Associate Degree in Urban Planning reflects Long Beach City College's commitment to shaping equitable and sustainable communities,' said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Long Beach City College Board of Trustees President. 'By equipping students with the modern tools to address land use, climate resiliency, and urban revitalization, we're preparing the next generation of leaders to design better cities of the future.' 'Our new Urban Planning program underscores how LBCC is a college where lives are transformed and students are uplifted, as urban and regional planners in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Orange County metropolitan area are earning an average salary of more than $111,000 annually,' said Dr. Mike Muñoz, Long Beach City College Superintendent-President. 'Graduates from widely diverse backgrounds will be equipped to contribute to sustainable and resilient community planning and are literally building the future.' The program was developed in consultation with the Long Beach Community Design Center, a non-profit comprised of leading area urban planners, architects, and representatives from Cal Poly Pomona. The new curriculum focuses on the skills needed for entry-level roles in planning agencies or consultancies. Those completing the program will have a solid foundation in urban design skills, land use planning, and government policy-making while learning to tackle planning challenges using industry-standard GIS software and understand the socioeconomic aspects of urban development. Among the required courses are Urban Dynamics – American Cities; Urbanscapes & Cultures; Research Methodologies for Design; Intro to Geographic Information Systems; and Urban Design Studies. As part of the new degree pathway, the Urban Planning & Design Internship Program was also launched by the Long Beach Community Design and the City of Long Beach to give students real-world experience in shaping the built environment. Through curated activities, events, and project-based experiences, students engage with professionals in the field, gain insight into urban planning best practices and techniques, build industry-relevant skills, and form meaningful mentorship connections. Interns were hosted across the private sector, non-profit organizations, and government agencies, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of urban planning and design work. The first cohort included 10 undergraduate students from LBCC, CSU Long Beach, UCLA, UC Irvine, and Cal Poly Pomona, majoring in architecture, urban planning, urban studies, environmental science, geography, and civil engineering. David Salazar, Long Beach Community Design Center's founder and executive director, was among those whose efforts were paramount in developing the new program. 'The ground-breaking Associate of Science Degree in Urban Planning at LBCC, along with a pathway to Cal Poly Pomona, is an exceptional opportunity for the youth of Long Beach to pursue a career in a field that can improve the quality of life in their communities,' Salazar said. 'This unique partnership provides young planners with a clear path to establishing a successful career in urban planning, where their voice and perspective are vital.' Dr. Leslie Forehand, an LBCC architecture professor who played a key role in developing the program, agreed. 'This achievement not only elevates our students' academic journeys but also ensures that our community is shaped by the very minds we nurture,' she said. 'It's a significant step towards a future where our community's growth and planning are driven by its own educated, empowered members.' Dr. Gwen H. Urey, emeritus professor at Cal Poly Pomona's Department of Urban and Regional Planning added, 'LBCC's new Associate of Science Degree in Urban Planning degree is a model for planning education at the community college level. The Department of Urban & Regional Planning at Cal Poly Pomona celebrates this achievement and anticipates welcoming its graduates into our accredited Bachelor of Science program, which they will be able to complete in two years.' The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 3,700 openings nationally for urban and regional planners each year, on average, over the decade, with many of those openings expected to replace those who retire or transfer to other occupations. More than 2,000 of the nearly 43,000 urban and regional planners working in the United States are employed in the region. # # # About Long Beach City CollegeLong Beach City College consists of two campuses with an enrollment of over 35,000 students each semester and serves the cities of Avalon, Lakewood, Long Beach, and Signal Hill. LBCC promotes equitable student learning and achievement, academic excellence, and workforce development by delivering high-quality educational programs and support services to our diverse communities. Visit for more information about Long Beach City College. CONTACT: Stacey Toda Long Beach City College 5629384004 stoda@
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cal Poly Pomona's Singelyn Graduate School of Business and Western University of Health Sciences Announce Innovative PharmD-MBA Pathway Program
POMONA, Calif., March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cal Poly Pomona's Singelyn Graduate School of Business (CPP SGSB) and the College of Pharmacy (COP) at Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) are proud to announce an exciting new partnership to launch the dual assurance PharmD-MBA Program! This collaboration creates a seamless pathway for graduates of WesternU's Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program to pursue an advanced Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at CPP, offering a unique interdisciplinary opportunity for future pharmacy leaders. The PharmD-MBA Program is designed to prepare professionals to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare by integrating patient care expertise with essential business skills. Graduates of this dual assurance program are expected to be in high demand from healthcare employers looking for great leaders. The partnership underscores both institutions' commitment to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and career advancement. Key features of the PharmD-MBA program include: Streamlined Admissions: WesternU PharmD graduates benefit from a simplified admission process for CPP's MBA program. Accelerated Pathway: Participants can transfer up to 9 units of PharmD coursework toward their MBA studies, reducing the time required to complete the graduate business degree. Very Affordable: Approximately only $19,500 tuition plus fees for the entire MBA program. Enhanced Career Prospects: Combining pharmacy and business expertise opens doors to leadership roles in healthcare management, pharmaceutical industries, and entrepreneurial ventures. Student Support: Graduates of the PharmD-MBA program gain access to CPP's Career Center resources, including professional development workshops, networking opportunities, and job placement services. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Western University of Health Sciences to launch this innovative program," said Singelyn Family Dean Dr. Sandeep Krishnamurthy at Cal Poly Pomona. "By combining two fields of study, we aim to empower pharmacy professionals to become leaders in the business aspects of healthcare. We believe this is a national best practice that we are bringing to our region." Dr. Sunil Prabhu, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at WesternU, said, "Healthcare is a field that is rapidly evolving. We want our graduates to be prepared to act as pharmacy leaders who will manage large budgets, motivate teams and establish technology strategy. The dual assurance program gives WesternU pharmacy graduates a significant advantage in joining a great MBA program in our region." About Cal Poly Pomona College of Business Administration and the Singelyn Graduate School of Business Cal Poly Pomona's College of Business Administration and Singelyn Graduate School of Business is an AACSB-accredited business school serving more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students in Southern California. Ranked a best business program by U.S. News & World Report, the College is comprised of six departments, offering eight undergraduate options under the degree Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The Singelyn Graduate School of Business was established in 2022 with transformative gift from alumni couple David and Ruth Singelyn, and today offers eight master's programs. For more information visit About Western University of Health Sciences Western University of Health Sciences ( located in Pomona, Calif. and Lebanon, Ore., is an independent nonprofit health professions university, conferring degrees in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, dental medicine, medical sciences, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, podiatric medicine and veterinary medicine. WesternU is home to WesternU Health, where the best in collaborative health care services is offered. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Western University of Health Sciences Sign in to access your portfolio
Los Angeles Times
11-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Say goodbye to boring tomatoes: Where to find the most unusual ones for your garden now
In case you didn't get the memo, March is Tomatozania-mania-party time in Southern California, when specialty growers offer pop-up sales of hard-to-find tomato varieties, rain or shine. We're talking serious exotics with a range of flavors from smoky to sweet and evocative names like Thorburn's Terra Cotta, Cherokee Purple, Evil Olive Cherry and Brandywine Pink. Cal Poly Pomona's 28th Tomatozania plant sale begins Saturday, March 15, at the school's Farm Store in Pomona, selling more than 150 varieties of tomatoes all grown by Cal Poly Pomona student employees (who are also plant science majors). Proceeds support the school's plant sciences program and the students. Its annual Pepperzania begins in April at the store, with more than 150 varieties of peppers, and in May it offers the hottest of the hot peppers during its Ultimate Pepper Plant Sale. Independently owned Tomatomania! is celebrating its 25th year of pop-up sales of tomatoes and peppers, offering more than 100 varieties of tomatoes at 13 venues between Santa Barbara to San Diego counties and Santa Ynez. Its first event began Feb. 28 at Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar (where remaining tomatoes are available through March, until they run out) and other Tomatomania events are scheduled well into April. Its venues for the remainder of March include Otto & Sons nursery in Fillmore (March 13-15), Tapia Brothers Fruit Stand in Encino starting March 21, Wachter's Hay & Grain in Ojai on March 29 and Anawalt Lumber in Hollywood March 29-30. And on March 22-23, Jo Anne and Alex Trigo are reopening Two Dog Organic Nursery just for the weekend to sell 44 tomato varieties — 12 more than last year — at their Mid-Wilshire home-based nursery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The Trigos closed the daily operation of their nursery in 2021, 'but there's just something about sowing LOTS of seeds at the beginning of the New Year that I can't seem to 'retire' from,' Jo Anne wrote in her email announcing the sale. And true to their nature, the Trigos also are offering a few companion plants, such as tomatillos, basil and Persian cucumbers. Get in on these sales as soon as you can, but before you plant, be mindful of the rain — which we badly need after a very dry winter. Depending on how much rain we get, your soil might need a few days to dry out before you start planting, said Tomatomania owner Scott Daigre. Tromping around in wet gardens can compact your soil, making it hard for tiny roots to grow and water to penetrate deep into the ground. Daigre has a long list of general tomato growing tips on his website, as well as tips for growing tomatoes in coastal areas and in containers. (Two Dog Nursery has an extensive list of tips as well.) Here are a few important reminders:
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
Family searching for missing Southern California college student
Loved ones are searching for a missing Southern California college student. Hiren Erandio Baltazar, 21, was reported missing on Feb. 10, according to the Murrieta Police Department. He was last seen leaving his home on foot near Clinton Keith and Greer Road in Murrieta at 5 p.m. Baltazar is described as a male of Indian/Filipino descent who stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds. He has brown eyes, long black hair and a slender build. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black puffer jacket and a dark-colored hat. He is a student at Cal Poly Pomona who is studying architecture, authorities said. Baltazar's family has not heard from him since his disappearance and is very concerned for his well-being. Anyone who may have seen Baltazar or knows his whereabouts is asked to call the Murrieta Police Department at 951-696-3615. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Long Beach aquarium spotlights 'real animals, real birds, real fish' with new report card
Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific has launched a new project aimed at putting the conservation spotlight on the stars of the marine ecosystem — the plants and animals — in an effort to forge a stronger connection with the public. 'People don't really care about biodiversity," said Peter Kareiva, president and chief executive of the Aquarium of the Pacific. "They care about the species that they know. They care about real animals, real birds, real fish." To that end, the aquarium on Thursday released an inaugural Marine Species Report Card, a collaborative effort that assesses the population status of 30 species found on the California coast. The report card spans marine mammals, fish, birds, kelp and invertebrates — including ocean celebrities like gray whales and lesser-known cast members such as owl limpets, sea snails that "often get mistaken for rocks," according to the National Park Service. Scientists and researchers from more than two dozen institutions and organizations contributed to the report card, which is available to view online. The plan is to update it every three to four years. No letter grade is assigned to the species, but each is labeled with an arrow to signify whether its ranks are increasing, decreasing or staying the same. An accompanying narrative provides a more in-depth overview of how they're doing. Kareiva believes the conservation movement has shifted its focus to what he described as more abstract concepts, such as biodiversity. But he said it was a mistake to underestimate how much people care about species. Spotlighting species helps foster a connection to the public and reveals a nuanced picture of the ecosystem in the throes climate change, in which some plants and animals are thriving while others are barely hanging on, he and other aquarium staffers said. 'When we get up to the biodiversity questions or the ecosystem questions, it's harder to say, 'Here's where our successes are' or to drive people to want to invest,' said Brett Long, vice president of animal care at the aquarium. He added that establishing a connection through digestible information can serve as a pathway for broader conversations. The report card encompasses several distressing tales, including that of white abalone, which were perilously overfished in the 1970s and '80s. The endangered marine snail with a coveted iridescent shell remains threatened by a disease called withering syndrome, which it may be more susceptible to due to the stress of ocean warming and acidification, according to the report card. But there also are more heartening stories. Giant sea bass also were overexploited to the brink of extinction, but they've started to rebound in recent decades as a result of a ban on commercial gill nets, according to Jeremy Claisse, a professor in the biological sciences department at Cal Poly Pomona who worked on the report card. Then there are conservation narratives that are harder to sum up as good or bad. Once thought to be extinct, southern sea otters rebounded but have plateaued at about 3,000 animals in their existing range — which is nowhere near their historic range. "By telling these individual stories, we can learn a lot about how different management efforts are working, or how climate change is going to impact one species versus another," Claisse said. More than a dozen of the species on the report card can be found at the Long Beach aquarium. Sleek sea otters dive and twirl in a tank before awed visitors. Captive-bred white abalone are the under-the-radar stars of another exhibit showcasing their habitat to raise awareness of their plight. Kareiva described the project as a response to what he said was an evolution in the main concerns of large conservation nonprofits. He said these groups used to be focused on the "organismal" aspect of conservation but for good reason concentrated their attention on broader ecological and policy-focused concepts, leaving zoos and aquariums to essentially be the spokespeople for plants and animals. "They're so concerned with succeeding at scale," policy-wise, he said of the organizations, citing the Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International and the Wildlife Conservation Society. Kareiva previously served as vice president of science for the Nature Conservancy. "Politically and strategically, it was probably the savvy move if you're operating at the national level," he said of the conservation movement. He said the result is that when data are collected, not enough attention is paid to species. The goal of the report card "is to reinvigorate the species and the organismal part of conservation," he said. Joe Walston, executive vice president of Wildlife Conservation Society Global, said in a statement that the nonprofit hasn't changed its 'ultimate focus from wildlife and wild places' but explained the rationale behind championing ecosystems. He said dealing with threats such as over-hunting, illegal fishing and deforestation are no longer sufficient to protect wildlife. "With the extraordinary pressures from climate change, we need to extend our influence and ensure that we are focusing on 'the health of the whole'; the ability to maintain the resilience of these ecosystems that not only protects the wildlife from the local threats, but also ensures their ecosystem remain[s] robust and resilient in the face of the larger pressures," he said. Sophie Parker, the interim science director for the Nature Conservancy's California chapter, said the nonprofit has a long history of working with zoos and aquariums — including a current collaboration involving the Aquarium of the Pacific — to recover imperiled species. 'We also need to ensure that broader habitats and systems are healthy and connected, so that when we reintroduce species, they can thrive,' she said in a statement. Many, including Kareiva, don't see conservation approaches centered on the ecosystem or the organism as mutually exclusive but complementary. Brendan Cummings, conservation director for the Center for Biological Diversity, said there's an extinction crisis imperiling thousands of species, a dire phenomenon worthy of priority. And the same time, the loss isn't just percentages — it's actual living things. Cummings said that's a separate matter from what resonates with the public — and how to achieve conservation goals. For several years now, he has worked to protect the western Joshua tree, and he said its iconic, beloved status helped get a state law passed to protect it. But those protections also extend to the wider ecosystem — such as the yucca moth. "If we had waged a campaign on behalf of the yucca moth, I doubt there would have been as much public attention to it as the Joshua tree. But protecting one, protects the other, and acts as an umbrella to protect entire desert ecosystems," he said. "So there's many pathways to the shared goal of protecting biodiversity, preventing extinction and, more broad-brushed, protecting nature on a landscape scale." Beyond prioritizing plants and animals, the report card also is intended to be a practical resource for the public and policymakers. Kareiva said he envisioned students tapping it for papers as well as using the data to underpin a still-conceptual effort to create biodiversity credits. Others involved with the project said it highlighted the power of long-term monitoring efforts — and the need to keep funding them. The list of species under consideration for the report card was roughly double the current 30, and one way it was narrowed down was whether there were data available, said Jennie Dean, vice president of education and conservation at the Aquarium of the Pacific. One species they were interested in but dropped for this reason was leopard sharks, a striking fish adorned with spots and dark ovals stretched in neat rows across its back. She said "it would be wonderful" if sustained monitoring of the slender sharks happened in the future to shed light on how they're doing. Not doing the monitoring can have consequences. Data points stretched 10 years apart, for example, can leave a gaping knowledge gap. "There's a substantial chance that something significant could happen that you have been too late to the party to address," she said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
