Where we foster excellence in education that challenges students of every background to develop their intellect, character, and abilities; to assist students in achieving their educational and career goals; and to be responsive to the greater community.
Imperial Valley College (IVC) is proud to announce the adoption of its new mascot, the Desert Warrior, following an extensive and inclusive design process. The Imperial Community College District Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the finalized design concept for the Desert Warrior mascot during their regularly scheduled board meeting on Wednesday evening, June 18.
The initiative to redesign the Arabs mascot began in 2020 when the Student Affairs Committee and the Associated Student Government (ASG) proposed aligning the mascot with IVC’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. This led to the formation of the Mascot Identity Task Force (MITF), which included student representatives from Associated Student Government, administration, and various governance committees. Their goal was to select a mascot that truly represents IVC’s community values.
IVC undertook a comprehensive communication campaign to engage the community. Press releases, social media updates, and emails were used to reach students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. An initial survey included artistic renderings, which led to some confusion. To ensure a fair and representative selection process, a second survey was administered without these renderings, gathering accurate data on mascot identity preferences.
The final survey results showed that 47.5% of respondents preferred the "Desert Warriors" mascot. Supported by a broad base of current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members, the Board of Trustees voted in March 2021 to retire the former mascot and in June 2023 to adopt the "Desert Warriors" name, effective June 21, 2023.
The design process aimed to create a mascot reflecting IVC’s values. The ASG and MITF decided against designing a mascot with weapons, opting for a gender-ambiguous look. Local artists and alumni were invited to collaborate and submit mascot renditions. Three top choices were then selected for a community survey:
The Design Concept Survey, conducted in March 2024, saw significant community participation. Option B, designed by alumnus Ian Sanchez, emerged as the preferred design with 50.93% of the
vote (1,726 votes out of a total 3,389 respondents). Option A received 33% of the votes (1,134 votes), and Option C received 15% (529 votes).
Community feedback highlighted areas for improvement, including making the design less cartoonish and more rugged. Comments suggested adding battle scars or a ripped cape to give the warrior a more experienced look, aligning with the college's resilience. Based on this feedback, the ASG and MITF used artificial intelligence to blend Option B with community suggestions, resulting in a more refined and representative mascot design.
The final design was developed in collaboration with SX Sportswear Inc. to convert the AI-generated design into a vector-ready image suitable for apparel and merchandise. This design was presented to various campus bodies, including ASG, the Athletic Department, and the Academic Senate, for approval and feedback.
Learn more about how the Desert Warrior mascot embodies the values of Imperial Valley College: www.imperial.edu/about/mascot.html
Following the unanimous adoption of the Desert Warrior mascot design, the college plans to integrate the mascot into all promotional materials and communication channels. This includes launching Desert Warrior apparel and distributing merchandise to foster school spirit and unity.
Construction is set to begin in early 2025.
Note: New project renderings, which can be used with the mandatory courtesy: Nielsen Construction California/SILLMAN, are available for download and use in coverage here.
CALEXICO, Calif. (June 11, 2024) – Marking the completion of another important step in San Diego State University (SDSU) Imperial Valley and Imperial Valley College’s joint student housing development project, Nielsen Construction California, Inc. has been selected as the project’s general contractor, with their design partner SILLMAN, as the project architect.
The project, as first announced in fall 2023, is largely made possible by $11.6 million in state funding, which includes $2.5 million secured by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia to SDSU Imperial Valley and an additional $9 million in funding from the Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program, all of which goes toward $17 million in project costs.
"Through this new development and partnership with Imperial Valley College, our students will be able to save on transportation and housing costs and are likely to develop an even deeper sense of campus community," said Guillermina Gina Nuñez-Mchiri, dean of SDSU Imperial Valley. "The selection of Nielsen Construction California and SILLMAN is an important next step in bringing this shared vision to life.”
The joint student housing partnership between SDSU Imperial Valley and Imperial Valley College will use the state investment to build 40 single-or double-occupancy rooms at SDSU Imperial Valley’s Calexico location.
“We are thrilled to partner with SDSU Imperial Valley on this groundbreaking student housing project,” said Lennor Johnson, superintendent/president of Imperial Valley College. “The selection of Nielsen Construction California and SILLMAN marks a pivotal moment in our journey to provide stable housing for students. By addressing housing insecurity, we are not only enhancing students’ college experience but also ensuring our students have a solid foundation to achieve their educational goals and transition smoothly to SDSU Imperial Valley.”
The student housing is planned to be available to students enrolled at SDSU Imperial Valley and Imperial Valley College.
"Nielsen Construction California is excited to be working on the SDSU Imperial Valley campus again on the joint student housing project. This will be the first on-campus student housing project and we are proud to be a part of it along with our design partner, SILLMAN. Nielsen Construction is a local construction firm who has been building in the Imperial Valley continuously for more than two decades and SILLMAN has been designing projects throughout southern California and the Imperial Valley for nearly 50 years," said D. Nielsen Pollock, President of Nielsen Construction California, Inc. "Our Team is dedicated to working with SDSU Imperial Valley and Imperial Valley College to bring campus housing for local students and will positively change their college experience both socially and educationally."
Previously, Nielsen Construction California worked on the SDSU Imperial Valley campus as part of several projects, including the construction of the Steppling Art Gallery.
The project is set to break ground in early 2025, and is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
Mexicali, Mexico – Imperial Valley College marked a historic occasion with its first Bi-National Recognition Ceremony held on Thursday, May 16, in Mexicali. This event offered IVC graduates the unique opportunity to celebrate their achievements in the presence of family and loved ones in Mexicali, who otherwise would not be able to attend their graduation ceremony in Imperial.
A mariachi band opened the ceremony with a brief celebratory performance at 2 p.m. inside the Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior (CETYS) University campus auditorium. This ceremony was particularly significant as it followed the recent March signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between IVC and CETYS University. This agreement, approved by the Imperial Community College District Board of Trustees, aims to broaden access to courses and resources for students from both institutions, fostering a productive academic and educational cooperative relationship that serves the needs of the cross-border region.
“We also want to recognize the uniqueness of your experience as students with families in both Mexico and the United States,” said Alexis Villa, Vice President of Student Services and Equity at IVC. She spoke formally starting the program with a warm welcome to all those in attendance and congratulating graduates.
“We know that balancing academic responsibilities with the family and cultural dynamics of two countries can be challenging,” Villa said. “However, they have demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination to endure these circumstances and succeed on their path to graduation.”
Villa also acknowledged their unique cultural perspectives and encouraged graduates to use their experiences to become global leaders, before introducing IVC’s Superintendent and President Dr. Lennor Johnson.
“Today we celebrate our wonderful students, and at the same time we celebrate their families,” Johnson said.
Dr. Johnson expressed his gratitude to CETYS for their hospitality and acknowledged the hard work of faculty and staff in organizing the event before congratulating all graduates in attendance.
“You have come a long way to obtain your degrees,” he said. “You have experienced difficult challenges along the way, but you all continued to move forward and overcome them. That is why you are here today.”
Likewise, Trustee Isabel Solis, President of the IVC Board of Trustees, highlighted the deep connection and mutual respect that bind the communities across borders. She also discussed the recent legislative changes introduced by Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego). Assembly Bill 91 (AB 91) allows low-income students residing within 45 miles of the California-Mexico border to attend local community colleges at in-state tuition rates.
“For all this, today we not only focus on the achievements obtained, but also look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead,” said Trustee Solis. “By working together, learning from each other and sharing resources, we can overcome challenges and create a better future for all our citizens.”
The ceremony also featured inspiring speeches from IVC alumni and students. Javier Melara, a former student government president, shared his personal journey and unique challenges of being a transborder IVC student. He urged graduates to appreciate the support of their families and communities.
“I am proud of you, graduates, your efforts are helping the next generation that comes after us see how capable they are, now you can say that if you could do it, they can too,” Melara said. “With your actions, be that change in the world, may all the excitement for the reward remind you that, although the path was not easy, you could do it!”
Following Melara was Ashley Jimenez Leyzaola, a 2024 graduate and ceremony participant. She recounted life experiences that led her to seek critical support from IVC, which helped her overcome several obstacles.
“Where I least expected to find help was at school because I was not used to these
services being accessible to me,” Leyzaola said to her peers at the ceremony podium.
“IVC actually, without exaggeration, changed my life, it has so many helpful programs
for all types of people.”
“IVC advises and helps its students like no other school,” she said. “It's not for
nothing that we are number one in the nation.”
The event continued with the presentation of certificates to 57 graduates, who all received their certificates from Dr. Johnson and the IVC Trustees present.
The ceremony, conducted entirely in Spanish, concluded with an encore performance by the event’s mariachi band and followed with a light reception on the CETYS campus lawn for all those in attendance. The event highlighted IVC’s dedication to providing quality education and fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. This Bi-National Recognition Ceremony marks a significant step in enhancing educational opportunities and strengthening the bond between the communities on both sides of the border.
In light of the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza, Imperial Valley College extends its deepest sympathies to all those affected by the current unrest. The political complexities of the conflict shouldn't overshadow the real human cost. Innocent people are suffering, and this violence can weigh heavily on our community.
At Imperial Valley College, we understand that during such troubling times, the need for compassionate support and mental health resources is crucial. We are committed to providing our students with the necessary services to help them navigate through these challenging moments.
Our Mental Health Counseling Services at the IVC Student Health Center are here to support you. We offer confidential, culturally sensitive counseling in individual, couples, family, and group settings. These services are particularly equipped to help with anxiety, stress, depression, and coping with life changes, which can be heightened by international conflicts affecting our community.
We encourage all students who are finding it difficult to cope with the current situation to take advantage of these services. Our doors are open from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and our counselors are ready to assist you in a supportive environment. For more details, please visit our webpage or contact us at (760) 355-6310. You can find us in Room 1536, next to the Assessment Center in the 400 Building.
During these times, community and support are more important than ever. Let us come together with empathy and understanding to support one another. Remember, you are not alone; the Imperial Valley College community is here to support you.
Imperial Valley College (IVC) is thrilled to announce the introduction of its first-ever Chemical Technician Program, uniquely designed to meet the rapidly growing demands of the lithium industry. This new program is a critical component of Phase 2 of the Lithium Industry Force Program (LIFT), aiming to produce highly skilled technicians equipped to support the lithium sector's expansion.
IVC President/Superintendent Lennor Johnson highlighted the significance of this initiative during a joint press conference with the County of Imperial and regional partners within lithium and geothermal industries on Wednesday, May 1 within the campus boardroom.
"In today’s rapidly changing world, the importance of having a strong and skilled workforce cannot be overstated,” Dr. Johnson said. “IVC is dedicated to preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow, not just for today."
The program expects to see its first 25 students complete their certificates in less than two years, with a strong likelihood of immediate employment within the lithium industry, thanks to close partnerships with key industry players.
"We anticipate beginning our third phase of the LIFT programs in fall of 2025 with the start of our instrumentation technician program," said Efrain Silva, IVC’s Dean of Economics and Workforce Development. "This is the beginning of the journey. The beginning of getting excited about the Lithium Valley concept,” he said.
IVC’s approach, which includes a heavy emphasis on practical training, reflects industry needs, explained Silva.
"The one-year certificate programs were requested by lithium and geothermal company leaders to specifically address their needs,” Silva said.
Dr. Jim Fisher, an IVC Chemistry professor involved in the program’s development, highlighted the educational approach to the emerging program.
"We want them to be able to focus on procedures and data,” Dr. Fisher said. “They need to understand how to work with equipment, create data from experiments, and handle chemicals effectively."
The LIFT program has already started making a tangible impact for students within the college’s plant operator course, which was part of Phase 1 of the program. Students in this cohort utilized internship opportunities from geothermal plants and lithium industries.
“It was overwhelming, but they learned a lot," said Lenie Sarion from Berkshire Hathaway Energy Renewables, reflecting on the feedback from students during the conference.
Industry support has been robust, with key partnerships shaping this new curriculum and with hands on experience provided through additional internships.
"This partnership between industry and academia can help students learn and ensure that these opportunities are available for them should they choose to seek it," said Elizabeth Espinoza, Community Affairs Liaison at Energy Source Minerals during the conference.
As the program prepares to welcome its first class this fall, the excitement is palpable among all stakeholders and county officials alike.
"This is just the beginning of what the board of supervisors has really wanted to create in Imperial County," expressed District 1 Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar, emphasizing the program's potential to significantly influence local employment and education opportunities.
IVC’s proactive approach in developing this program also responds to the broader community needs.
"We are steadfast in our commitment to eradicating poverty in the county," Dr. Johnson stated, highlighting the program’s alignment with the college’s mission to create pathways to access and success for every Imperial Valley community member.