Highlighting the amazing Administration, Faculty, Classified Professionals, and Students that make up our pirate family.
This month's highlights include:
Dr. Aaron Jones (Dean of the Science Division), James Vega (Academic Coach), Alina Ruby Leos (Student), and Claudia Solorzano (Financial Aid Specialist)
Name: Dr. Aaron Jones
Role at VC: Dean of the Science Division
Major: Biology
Years at VC: This is my first year here
Family life: I am the middle child between two sisters and I have my mom who lives in LA. This is my first time living within driving distance in almost 10 years, so I’m glad to be closer to home and family.
Hobbies: I love to read, watch films, and travel
Favorite Food: Favorites of anything are always challenging and I’m definitely not picky with food, but you give me a carne asada burrito and I’ll be happy
Favorite Movie: I love the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and to a lesser extent DC movies but my favorite non-superhero film recently has been Knives Out.
Favorite Song: These Three Words by Stevie Wonder
Something Fun, interesting, and/ or unique about you: As you can tell I’m a proud nerd, so much so that I am a charter member of the Comic Con Museum in San Diego and have presented at the convention.
Name: Alina Ruby Leos
Primary role at the College:
Major: Natural Science and Public Health
Years of Service: Started as a Dual Enrollment Student in Ventura College and Spring 2023 will be my last semester at Ventura College.
Family Life: I am a first-generation student pursuing a health care major. I grew up in Ventura, and Oxnard. In my family, I am the oldest out of two siblings, Andres Leos, who is also a VC student and is currently a student worker in Financial Aid.
Hobbies: My hobbies are reading, crafting, hiking and exercising during my free time
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite Movie: Grown Ups
Favorite Song: The Climb by Miley Cyrus
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: Aside from being a student at Ventura College, I am part of the Cope Health Scholar Program at St. John’s hospital in Oxnard. I started the program as a health scholar in the summer of 2020 and in the summer of 2021, I got promoted as Department Coordinator for Med Surge.
Name: James Vega
Primary role at the college: “Academic Coach” - Learning Resource Faculty in Tutor Center
Years of Service: 15
Family: Spouse (since 1975), 2 adult boys (eldest Anthony-“Dj Speedy” @31 years-R.I.P. 2007), and 3 grandchildren.
Hobbies: Gardening and translating Indigenous Mexika books.
Favorite Food: Mexican Cactus/Nopales, tamales, hard shell potato tacos, chicken mole, and Chinese.
Favorite Movie: Pow Wow Highway, Dream Keeper, Sandlot, plus Stand and Deliver.
Favorite Song: “Coming to America”, Classical, Classic Rock, Ravi Shankar, and East Side Oldies.
Something fun, interesting, and/or unique about you: Back in the days I was a Dj, was in a movie with Betty White “Chance of a lifetime” filmed at Mandalay Bay Resort-Oxnard, Aztec-Mexika dancer since 1994, Barber Stylist for 20 years (included hair designs for runway models), counselor 20 years, helped initiate Native Indigenous Purification/Sweat Lodge Ceremonies as a Fire Keeper at Camarillo Youth Authority for young incarcerated males, and ability to share a persons' birthdate information along with Career Options by using the Aztec Calendar/Mexika Sunstone.
Name: Claudia Solorzano
Primary role at the College: Financial Aid Specialist
Years at VC: 5 years at Moorpark College and 7 months at Ventura College
Family: Married, 5 children
Hobbies: Cooking, and spending time with my family
Favorite food: Chinese food
Favorite Movie/Book: Love Christmas movies
Favorite Song: Adele, Hello
Something unique or interesting about you: Continued my education in Business Administration after having my 5 children