The Powerhouse Science Center in Sacramento announced that Keller Group Office Environments has joined the campaign to build the premier science learning center serving Northern California. As a founding partner, Keller Group Office Environments joins other regional leaders and organizations in a cooperative effort to support the development of this vital new community asset. Located on the scenic banks of the Sacramento River, the Powerhouse Science Center will function as a model for 21st century experiential STEM education (science, math, technology, engineering, space) and environmental stewardship. The design will be an exemplary “green” building that serves as an environmental teac

Sally Phonthachack wants to some day run her own nonprofit organization and be a mentor to young people. The daughter of Laotian parents who immigrated to the United States when she was an infant, Phonthachack is currently working toward her master’s degree and helping a Sacramento nonprofit organization, believing these two endeavors will help provide a springboard toward her goal. This month Phonthachack began working full time in a fellowship position with Valley Vision while she continues to pursue her master’s in business administration at Drexel University’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. In her new position, Phonthachack will assist senior Valley Vision staff in craftin

In the Mayor’s “State of the City” address he focused on two important and interconnected areas: jobs and education. The Mayor also spoke about making the impossible possible, a message that resonates with many citizens today. With unemployment at record highs (8.5% in the U.S., 11.3% in California and 11.1% in Sacramento) and prevalent low academic performance in the U.S. (compared internationally) and in California (compared to other states), the impossibility of the “American dream” is all too real for far too many people today. Still, all hope is not lost. There is a sense of urgency sweeping the nation and jobs and education are two very hot topics swirling in the media. There is a fe

DAVIS, Calif. — It has now been two months since the infamous pepper-spraying incident that made UC Davis an international house-hold name occurred. Even after Thanksgiving weekend, only the remnants of the incident remained. Although a bounty of tents could still be found on the quad, a mere handful of protestors could be found in them. Then the Monday morning after Thanksgiving break arrived. Once again, one by one, news vans crept back onto campus as if waiting for blood to be shed. The vans have now let the campus in peace. Almost all protestors and non-protestors alike felt strongly that the pepper spraying incident was nothing but unacceptable. “The extraordinary reaction of the pep

   When did you get the "writing" bug? That insatiable bug that you must write something, anything to tell and inform the world.  Was it when you wrote for your College paper? Maybe, it started in High school when you were in the Yearbook Club or writing for the the school newspaper. Whenever it was, it gave you the momentum to continue to write your stories or articles today.     This just may be true for a handful of students that are in the Journalism Club at Isador Cohen Elementary School. Yes,  I said elementary.  They are students ranging from third through sixth grades and they write the stories for the school newsletter. The Club is in its second year at Cohen and has seen an incr

Thousands of same-sex couples in Sacramento and throughout California are eagerly waiting on a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco that will ether uphold, or not, the California Supreme Court’s decision that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional. This issue has already been dealt with in several other states with some accepting marriage equality but for California it has proven to be a highly emotional and complicated one for same-sex couples that are hoping to soon have the same rights as other legally married couples. The decision is expected any day now. “Question One,” a newly released documentary on Maine’s 2009 referendum battle over same-sex marriage, will

The Powerhouse Science Center and Aerojet today announced a $1.5 million gift from Aerojet, that will launch the new science complex’s cutting-edge simulated NASA space mission program, to be named the Aerojet Challenger Learning Center. The current heavily-used 17-year-old Challenger Learning Center is in full operation at the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center, which will relocate and become the Powerhouse Science Center when the new facility opens in 2014. Recently honored as one of the nation’s most successful Challenger Centers, Sacramento’s Challenger adventure inspires future astronauts with suspension-of-disbelief scenarios and problems, challenging students to apply the math

Drexel University, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit university recognized as a national leader in academic innovation, will hold three more December information sessions for enrollment at the Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. The center, which opened at One Capitol Mall in January 2009, is already known as one of Northern California’s most high-tech conference and educational facilities. In its state-of-the-art classrooms, Drexel – a top-ranked national comprehensive research university – will offer six master’s and one doctoral degree program in 2012 that are designed for working professionals. All seven programs are focused on the heart of Sacramento’s growth and economic develo

The Sacramento City Unified School District board is considering a potential campus “swap” for two central city schools – a move that has stirred up a storm of criticism from parents, students and education advocates in the city. The proposed swap would move the West Campus High School program from its current 58th Street location to the old Sacramento High School facility and replace it with the Sacramento Charter High School program, which is currently at the old Sac High campus. Proponents of the swap say the move will allow the popular West Campus program to expand and will create an opportunity to establish a non-college preparatory high school program for students in central city n

As Earth welcomed its 7 billionth child Nov. 1, international concern for diminishing world resources and mounting pollution are on the rise. This concern not only stems from the number of people on the planet, but how those people consume and dispose of their resources. However, depending upon how the international community prepares for that challenge, it could serve as an opportunity for positive change. The Sacramento City College’s Student Associated Council has recognized the international concern for its impact on the planet by creating a new position to help facilitate the campus’ desire to reduce its waste by welcoming plant biology major Michael Viscuso to the newly created posi

United Way California Capital Region will make grants totaling $1,168,008 to 13 local nonprofits, United Way president and CEO Steve Heath announced today. Funded partners serve people across Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties and participate in United Way’s projects: STAR Readers, $en$e-Ability and Fit Kids. “All of our funded partners have proven their incredible abilities to produce profound change in our community,” Heath said. “They know how to achieve measurable outcomes on important issues, and we’re excited to see what they do in the very important areas of children’s education, financial literacy and childhood obesity.” United Way’s STAR Readers project is w

Decisions can determine destiny. One critical decision regarding education is currently facing the Sacramento City school board. Recently a few groups have thrown around arguments favoring that Sacramento Charter High School and West Campus swap or even co-locate campuses. There are multiple areas in these proposals that are not in the best interests of both high schools. My name is Jessica Brewer and I am a senior at Sac High. Last night, I had a chance to attend the parent meeting at West Campus. It could not be clearer that neither Sac High nor West Campus students have a desire to move or co-locate. So why are the adults, who all claim that they want what is “best for students”, pushi

Drexel University has named Dr. Sandra G. Kirschenmann, vice chancellor of resource development for Los Rios Community College District, as executive director of the Sacramento Center for Graduate Studies, Drexel president John A. Fry announced today. She will begin her tenure on Dec. 12 and report to Provost Mark Greenberg. “I am confident that we have found in Sandra Kirschenmann the right professional to help us position the Center for Graduate Studies as a unique academic presence in Sacramento offering excellent career-oriented programs with high student engagement and strong outcomes,” Fry said. As executive director, Kirschenmann will oversee all Sacramento operations, building on

Drexel’s Graduate Student Association recently presented a $1,000 check to the Mustard Seed School, a program associated with Loaves & Fishes that helps to educate homeless children in Sacramento. “The Sisters at Loaves & Fishes knew quite a bit of Drexel history because of the connection between Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament," said Christopher Levermore, President of the Graduate Student Association at Drexel’s Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. “Drexel’s campus in Philadelphia prides itself on continuing the legacy of providing help for those in need and our Sacramento students have established that same tradition as well,” Levermore added. The Graduate Stude

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) held a press conference announcing that the Sacramento Employment & Training Agency (SETA) is receiving $300,000 in federal funding to support SETA's On-The-Job Training Program. The event was held at the Beutler Corporation, located at McClellan Park, one of the several Sacramento companies that will be able to hire workers as a result of this grant. Congresswoman Matsui was joined by California Energy Commissioner Karen Douglas, SETA Executive Director Kathy Kossick, and Beutler Corporation President Rick Wylie to make the announcement, followed by a tour of Beutler's manufacturing plant. “I am excited to announce the all

Drexel University begins its fall semester welcoming five new faculty members at the Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. Of the five faculty members starting in the fall, four have been hired on a full-time basis by the LeBow College of Business to staff the master of science finance and MBA courses. They will join Dr. Ramya Ghosh, who has been teaching economics at the center this past year. The four new MBA faculty have diverse educational backgrounds. Dr. Sally Hamilton will teach accounting and finance; Dr. Kenneth Scislaw has an expertise in finance; Dr. Leon Schjoedt will teach management; and Dr. Ed Arnheiter will focus on the decisions science area, a curriculum that inclu

Sacramento, CA | The momentum is building. That was the message that Stand Up, the Sacramento based non-profit organization devoted to reforming education, touted in front of a packed house at the Guild Theater on Monday night. The event was part of a series of monthly meetings organized by Stand Up to spotlight education improvement efforts in Sacramento. Previous events have brought in former California State Senator Gloria Romero to discuss the “parent trigger” law, the founder of Teach for America Wendy Kopp, and the co-founder of the Knowledge is Power Program, Mike Feinberg. Local high school students acted as ushers alongside staffers from a variety of organizations including Sa

After several years of planning, Vibe, the new urban youth lounge, will host a party at 5 p.m. on Saturday to celebrate its grand opening. Located at 1725 K St., the center will provide a place for teens to do their homework, socialize and be safe, said Catherine Pentoney, spokeswoman and former chair of Vibe’s Board of Directors. Since 2007, the Vibe Foundation has been raising money to open its youth lounge. The nonprofit organization was founded by Julian Nagler and David Schenirer. “Vibe was a concept that came out of a need in Sacramento for the youth to have productive things to do,” said Nagler, one of Vibe’s co-founders. Nagler said he believes places like the Boys and Girls Clu

Come out, come out, wherever you are! ~ Harvey Milk Equality Action NOW and the Gender Health Center are co-hosting an all-ages party to formally introduce the “coming out” of the first elected Board of Directors for E.A.N. on National Coming Out Day - Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Hoppy Brewing Company (6300 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95819) starting at 6:00pm. Equality Action NOW is a nationally-known civil rights organization based in Sacramento and is at the forefront of speaking out and standing for the rights of all people since its inception. The organization was born moments after the November 2008 general election when President Obama was elected and Proposition 8 was voted int

UC Davis Extension recently announced the launch of its new program, Sustainability Studies, a multidisciplinary unit that combines aspects of green building, sustainable design and energy. Recognizing the integrated nature of sustainable solutions, this unique collaboration allows students from a variety of sectors, including energy, planning and policy, environmental and water resources, and public health, to access practical, timely training and flexible certificate programs. “UC Davis Extension has been providing the knowledge and tools to confront issues of sustainability for three decades, but to respond to today’s unprecedented challenges, professionals need cross-training to be ef