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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
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE OPENS LARGEST E-SPORTS LAB IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The New State-of-the-Art Classroom is Celebrated with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony LBCC E-Sports Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Long Beach, CA, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Long Beach City College (LBCC) Board of Trustees, students, and employees officially celebrated the opening of the largest e-sports lab in Southern California with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, February 27. The $2.3 million state-of-the-art classroom features cutting-edge technology to support students interested in the rapidly growing e-sports industry. 'Long Beach City College is proud to lead the way in providing students with access to this rapidly growing multi-billion-dollar e-sports industry with well-paying jobs,' said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, LBCC Board of Trustees President. 'This cutting-edge facility is more than just a gaming lab—it's a gateway to future careers in technology, broadcasting, and game development. Our investment in this state-of-the-art space reflects our commitment to innovation, workforce development, and student success in the digital era.' 'As technology evolves, so do the opportunities for our students,' said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC President. 'The new LBCC E-Sports Lab not only provides state-of-the-art equipment but also ensures our students gain hands-on experience in an emerging industry. By expanding our programs and staying ahead of industry trends, LBCC is empowering students with the skills they need to launch careers in gaming, digital media, and other technology-driven fields.' By 2030, the e-sports industry will be worth $6 billion and careers in gaming technology are steadily increasing. Long Beach City College is proud to be at the forefront of providing students with access to this innovative field of study by building the brand-new e-sports lab. The project renovated an existing room and computer lab in Building M at LBCC's Liberal Arts Campus. The new e-sports lab includes: 47 Alienware gaming stations, with a teaching station for an instructor or coach to interact with students Optimized lighting system to enhance player comfort and reduce visual fatigue during extended gaming sessions An independent operational infrastructure that ensures uninterrupted network and power capabilities for seamless gaming experiences Fully equipped casting booth that supports live professional-grade broadcasting of gaming competitions over the internet Construction began in March 2024, completed in July 2024, and opened to students during the 2024 Fall semester. The renovations were funded by Measure LB and LBCC's capital outlay fund. Cordoba Corporation was the construction manager, and the architect was HPI Architecture. LBCC currently offers a certificate of achievement in Digital Media: Multimedia Interaction & Game Design which provides students with the foundational skills to work in the gaming industry. LBCC also offers a variety of programs for students looking to pursue careers in robotics, computer office studies, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and more. # # # About Long Beach City College Long Beach City College consists of two campuses with an enrollment of more than 35,000 students each semester. The education program's primary purpose is to prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate-granting institutions, entry into work or career development, and to support businesses in economic development. Long Beach City College serves the cities of Avalon, Lakewood, Long Beach, and Signal Hill. Long Beach City College 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 on Long Beach City College. Attachment LBCC E-Sports Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony CONTACT: Stacey Toda Long Beach City College 5629384004 stoda@
