Education

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 30 August 2025

MARYSVILLE, Calif. – Yuba College continues to support first-generation, low-income and disabled students through its TRiO programs, which provide vital academic resources, advising and college readiness services.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, TRiO is a cluster of federally funded programs that began in the 1960s to expand access to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The name "TRiO" was originally given to the first three programs: Upward Bound, Talent Search and Student Support Services.

Yuba College currently hosts three TRiO projects: Student Support Services (SSS), Student Support Services–STEM (SSS-STEM) and Upward Bound (UB).

Since 2020, the SSS program has served approximately 140 students annually. SSS-STEM supports an additional 120 students per year, with a focus on those pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. 

Both programs offer services such as one-on-one academic advising, tutoring, financial aid guidance, transfer assistance and personal counseling. 

These initiatives are designed to increase retention and graduation rates, while helping students successfully transition to four-year universities.

The Upward Bound program, which serves 73 high school students annually, helps prepare first-generation, income-eligible students for college. 

UB participants receive academic support, college and career guidance and the opportunity to earn college credit before graduating high school through a variety of year-round services, including Saturday study academies, weekly tutoring, individualized counseling and a six-week summer program.

Students participating in TRiO programs at Yuba College exceed national standards regarding post-secondary enrollment, transfer rates and degree attainment rates. 

One hundred percent of Yuba College Upward Bound students from the class of 2024 enrolled in post-secondary education and 78% of Upward Bound students who graduated high school in the class of 2018 attained an associate or bachelor's degree within six years of graduating high school. 

Recently, the college was awarded renewed funding for both the TRiO SSS and TRiO SSS-STEM programs for the next five years. Each program will receive $272,364 annually, for a total of more than $2.7 million in federal support over the five-year period. 

"TRiO programs make a lasting impact on students’ lives by removing barriers and building pathways to academic success," said Dr. Tawny Dotson, president of Yuba College. "We welcome these students and families to participate in these programs and take hold of their futures."

All TRiO services are free to eligible students, though participation requires a strong commitment from both students and their families.

For more information about TRiO programs at Yuba College, visit https://yc.yccd.edu/student/trio/. 

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 25 August 2025

With students returning to the classroom for the 2025-2026 school year, California roads will see an increase in traffic around school campuses. 

Back-to-school transportation not only affects students and parents, but other motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. To ensure a safe return to the classroom AAA is sharing tips on how to navigate school zones safely. 

“A new school year brings new roadway challenges,” says Doug Johnson, spokesperson with AAA Mountain West Group. “Drivers must be mindful of reduced speed limits in school zones and be prepared to share the road with school buses, bicyclists, and students. It’s important that everyone, drivers and pedestrians, remain alert and follow basic precautions.”

AAA encourages drivers to follow these road safety tips:

• Don’t pass a stopped bus. In California, drivers are required to obey school bus signals. Failure to obey bus signals can result in fines up to $1,000 and your driving privileges could be suspended up to a year.
• Speeding in school zones will cost you. Speed limits around California school zones are set between 15 to 25 miles per hour and are strictly enforced by local law enforcement.
• Put the phone down. Distracted driving remains the number one cause of motor vehicle accidents involving a pedestrian.

AAA shares the following precautions for pedestrians:

• Cross only at designated crosswalks, never cross between parked cars or mid-block.
• Use caution, remain alert and look both ways when crossing. Don’t assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you. Always look and listen for cars, pedestrians and bicyclists.
• When using a crosswalk push-button, cross only when the signal allows and always watch for cars turning left or right.

“Taking your time and being aware of your surroundings can save a life,” Johnson said. “For drivers that means following basic road safety rules to ensure students get to school safely. For pedestrians it’s important to stay alert and utilize crosswalks.”

AAA has proudly sponsored and aided AAA School Safety Patrol programs as a community service in the interest of schoolchildren safety.  To learn more about the program and get free resources and other offerings visit: AAA School Safety Patrol.

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Written by: Yuba College

Published: 23 August 2025

MARYSVILLE, Calif. – Yuba College has been awarded $194,120 through the We Prosper Together Catalyst Pre-Development Grant to design and launch an innovative, inclusive working lands summer internship program. 

The program will provide hands-on, real-world experience for students pursuing careers in forestry, water resources, agriculture and fire mitigation.

The initiative aims to be scalable across the region and responsive to the urgent needs of disinvested communities. Students in agriculture, biology, environmental science, fire technology, geography and natural resources will directly benefit from the program, which will run through August 2026.

“This initiative represents a unique opportunity for our students to gain practical experience in outdoor-based professions while preparing for the realities of working in these environments,” said Yuba College Dean of Industrial Innovation Michael Bagley. “For students aspiring to careers that involve working outdoors, internships play a crucial role in providing a realistic and exciting glimpse into the realities of such professions.”

Yuba College plans to collaborate with regional schools, workforce agencies and industry partners to secure ongoing funding to sustain and expand the program beyond its pilot year. 

Yuba College hopes the findings and outcomes from the internship model will lead to additional experiential learning opportunities for students in science-based careers with outdoor components.

“Practical experience gained through internships significantly enhances a student’s resume and makes them more attractive to potential employers,” Bagley said. “Working outdoors comes with its unique set of challenges, including exposure to the elements, potential hazards and the need for adaptability and resilience.”

The We Prosper Together Catalyst Pre-Development Grant builds on Yuba College’s strong partnership with the Yuba Water Agency. Since 2022, the agency’s $700,000 five-year grant has supported the creation of a watershed management program, which expands the natural resources program at Yuba College. 

This funding has resulted in four new career-technical certificates in field technician, watershed management, soil conservation, geographic information systems, watershed resilience and forest management.

“The launch of our new vocational certificates is one of the most exciting developments I have seen during my time at Yuba College,” said Korey Champe, assistant professor of earth science. “For years, I have taught courses that fulfill the physical science general education requirement. These courses are typically not taken by science majors and often feel one step removed from the real world. That changes now.”

Champe continued, “These new programs give our students the chance to learn skills in the classroom and apply them directly in careers that make an immediate impact. Connecting science education to economic productivity is a game changer for our students and for the region. But this is about more than workforce preparation. This program also builds environmental stewardship and awareness of the challenges facing our planet, and connects them to our community. This opportunity has reenergized me as an instructor, and this grant is the missing piece. Getting students in local internships that will lead to immediate job placement ties up one of the most difficult parts, getting a job.”

Beyond funding, the Yuba Water Agency has sponsored community events at the Yuba College Theatre to highlight critical local and regional issues, and has been an active partner in developing the working lands summer internship program. These efforts align with the agency’s mission and vision for the region’s future.