Staying Connected

 

Message from Superintendent/President Dr. Ryan Cornner

Another exciting year at Glendale Community College is well underway, and I am happy to report that our enrollment and student success rates continue to grow. We have awarded a record number of degrees and certificates for three years running. This is why GCC ranks first in the nation for economic upward mobility.

For nearly a century, GCC has been a cornerstone of education in our region, offering affordable pathways to degrees, professional certifications, and job-ready skills that fuel our local economy. Our success is possible because of the dedication of our faculty, classified professionals, and managers, who have created a vibrant campus where every student belongs.

Recently, we had the opportunity to participate in a research study called the Student Voice Project as part of the Learning Together partnership with UCLA. The study collected data from historically marginalized students to determine how we can improve their sense of belonging and academic success. When asked to share three words that define sense of belonging at GCC, our students’ most said “comfort, community, and acceptance.” Students overwhelmingly stated that they feel supported in their academic pursuits by the resources and services at GCC.

Right now, we are facing unprecedented challenges in higher education and our broader communities. Shifts in policy and ongoing inequities remind us of the importance of staying true to our values of access, inclusion, and equity. These challenges are real and at times heavy, but they make our work more urgent—and more meaningful. Hope, grounded in the aspirations of our students, fuels our resolve to continue building opportunities for all. When I see the data presented in the Student Voice Project study, I feel confident that we are on the right path.

From our Promise Plus program, to our growing dual enrollment and career education pathways, to our state-of-the-art virtual reality and STEM learning spaces, to the opening of our new Student Success Center this spring, GCC continues to serve as a beacon of belonging, success, and innovation.

As we continue our journey this year, let us honor the weight of the challenges we face while also embracing the extraordinary hope our students represent. Together, we can ensure GCC remains a place where opportunity thrives and futures are transformed.

With gratitude,

Dr. Ryan Cornner
Superintendent/President
Glendale Community College

---

Connect to Innovation: Summer at GCC

Over the summer, GCC had many opportunities to showcase our innovation and success.

In July, GCC was awarded a $600,000 federal investment from the National Science Foundation IUSE: Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education Program. The grant will help GCC expand our pioneering Virtual Reality Research Lab and enhance VR curricula with the goal of increasing interest, participation, and success in STEM fields among community college students.

GCC’s Career Education Department was recently awarded two grants totaling $640,000 from the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office aimed at bolstering fire prevention and recovery efforts in the region through expanded career training opportunities. These grants allow GCC to ensure more students graduate with the expertise and certifications needed to enter the workforce immediately and make a tangible impact in areas that vitally impact our communities.

In August, GCC proudly welcomed California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian and members of the Board of Governors to the Verdugo campus. From exploring state-of-the-art STEM labs and immersive VR experiences to conversations on equity and student support, the visit showcased the innovation and care at the heart of the GCC community.

---

Connect to Family: Passing the Torch

In 2024, Alen R. Andriassian became GCC’s Vice President of Student Services, returning to the college after 10 years in the Los Angeles Community College District. Not only is Alen breaking the mold as GCC’s first Armenian American Vice President, but he is also returning to his roots and continuing his legacy here in Glendale.

For Alen, returning to GCC is more than a career—it’s a calling rooted in his own student experience. Born and raised in Glendale, he graduated from Glendale High School before enrolling at GCC. Alen was a first-generation college student, and he admits he didn’t have a clear plan when he started.

“I only enrolled because my father told me I had to go to college,” he recalls. “I wasn’t aware of all the opportunities higher education could offer.”

That all changed when he became involved in student government. After being elected Senator of Finance with the Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC), he discovered his passion for leadership and service. The following year, he was elected ASGCC President and Student Trustee, an experience that set him on the path toward a career in higher education. 

“Because of the faculty, staff, and administrators who invested in me, I discovered my passion was dedicating my life to helping others recognize their own potential and pursue their education,” he says.

This fall, history has come full circle as Alen’s nephew, Nathan R. Andriassian, has been elected ASGCC President and Student Trustee. Alen had the opportunity to swear Nathan in at the June 17 Board Meeting, 26 years after taking the oath of office himself.

Alen offers this advice for his nephew, and all students stepping into leadership roles: “Leadership is a gift. With that gift comes both an opportunity and a responsibility to assist others. It is not about titles or perceived power, it is about giving back to society.”

Nathan was clearly taking this advice to heart when he decided to run for ASGCC President and Student Trustee.

“In my first two semesters at GCC, I was blessed with incredible opportunities and serving as Student Trustee was the best way for me to pay it forward,” Nathan said. “I owe my fellow students the representation they deserve, and by being their voice on the Board, I can ensure that my peers’ needs are being met.”

As he settles into his new leadership role, Nathan calls on the valuable lessons he learned from Alen.

“The single best piece of advice I have ever received from my uncle is that true leadership involves hard work that often goes unrecognized. Leadership is not always rewarding, but a good leader will feel rewarded, even if they don’t get recognition. I am honored that my peers chose me to fulfill the responsibilities of this position, and I will make Alen, my family, and my fellow students proud.”

When asked about Nathan’s election, Alen says he wasn’t surprised. “Nathan is an exceptional leader because at his core he embodies a passion for providing service to others. I am just a proud uncle and proud vice president at GCC that we have such a remarkable leader.”

With two generations of GCC leadership in one family, Alen and Nathan serve as a reminder of the power of education to inspire, transform, and bring communities together.