Image above: Anthony Pagan, LBCC School of Career Technical Education Associate Dean; Gene Carbonaro, LBCC School of Career Technical Education Dean; Damon Skinner, LBCC Trades & Industrial Technology Department Chair; Crescencio Perez, LBCC Automotive Technology student; Mike Gilligan, Norm Reeves Ford General Manager; Bob Smith, Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association Executive Director; Miguel Escobar, LBCC Automotive Technology student; Daysy Barajas, LBCC Automotive Technology student; Danny Tan, Automotive Technology Professor; Jake Kahen, Lexus of Cerritos General Manager; and Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCCD Interim Superintendent-President.
Long Beach City College’s Automotive Technology program received an unsolicited $10,000 donation from the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association.
“Long Beach City College is surprised and grateful to receive this generous donation from the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association in recognition of our excellent Automotive Technology program,” said Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees President Uduak-Joe Ntuk. “This money is certainly a tribute to our incredible faculty and classified staff who are tireless in preparing our students to successfully enter in the automotive industry. Their work alone makes LBCC’s Automotive Technology the exceptional program it is today.”
“The New Car Dealers of Los Angeles County are proud partners with Long Beach City College’s automotive repair and service program,” said Jake Kahen, General Manager of Lexus of Cerritos and a member of the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association. “Providing financial assistance that can be used for equipment upgrades or tuition assistance for students is a way to help develop the technicians of our future.”
The $10,000 will be used to help LBCC’s Automotive Technology students with scholarships, purchasing cutting-edge technology and equipment for LBCC classrooms. Graduates will also be provided with new tools once they enter the industry if they can’t afford to purchase them on their own.
“This gift will go directly to benefit our Automotive Technology program and students,” said Long Beach Community College District Interim Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz. “It’s not uncommon to hear about faculty paying out of their own pocket to provide tools for our students once they graduate the program to ensure that they are successful. Now we have a way to help our alumni once they enter the automotive industry.”
For more information about LBCC’s Automotive Technology program, please visit LBCC.edu/auto.
About Long Beach City College
Long Beach City College consists of two campuses with an enrollment of over 25,000 students each semester and serves the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Avalon. LBCC promotes equitable student learning and achievement, academic excellence, and workforce development by delivering high-quality educational programs and support services to our diverse communities. Visit LBCC.edu for more information about Long Beach City College.
