PCC Earns Two Statewide Tech Awards

College honored for strategic planning and adaptation to COVID-19 pandemic

Information technology administrators at Pasadena City College are being recognized with two awards for their outstanding achievement during the COVID-19 pandemic, a statewide trade group announced this week.

The Chief Information Systems Officers Association of the California Community Colleges (CISOA) named PCC the recipient of California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) Technology Focus Team Award for the college’s system of providing apps to students to use at home.

Known as AWS AppStream, PCC’s virtual learning environment allows students to download key applications, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Maya, and AutoCAD, among others, on an as-needed basis. The system provides easy access to enable students to continue their learning without requiring students to use high-end computer systems or pay additional fees.

The system is a crucial part of the college’s ongoing remote educational operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a separate announcement, CISOA also recognized PCC with the Technology Planning Team Award for work on the college’s Technology Master Plan. This strategic planning document prioritizes college investments in technology over the next five years.

“The coronavirus pandemic turned our world upside down, but our Information Technology Services team did fantastic work keeping our college open,” said Erika Endrijonas, PCC’s superintendent/president. “The team moved quickly to get equipment to students and faculty, develop solutions to keep information moving, and maintain an exceptional quality of service throughout this entire period. The CISOA awards today are just the cherry on top of an amazing year of achievements.”

“It’s never been clearer that technology is a vital part of any educational experience,” said PCC Trustee Linda Wah (San Marino, South Pasadena). “Our college has to continue innovating and iterating to make sure students have every support they need to succeed. I’ve been so pleased with the collegewide effort, led by Information Technology Services, that is giving us a strategic plan to drive us forward.”

PCC’s Information Technology Services department is led by Associate Vice President and Chief Information Office Candace Jones, who joined the college more than two years ago. Prior to overseeing the team in Pasadena, Ms. Jones worked for the University of California Office of the President and Pepperdine University.

CISOA brings together information technology administrators from all 74 California Community College districts to share best practices, tackle common issues, and provide professional development to college leaders across the state.

The awards will be formally presented to the college in a ceremony at the CISOA Virtual Technology Summit, Feb. 8 – 11. More information is available online.