Key People

Ron Vito, Associate Vice Chancellor, Career & Technical Education
(951) 222-8490

The Associate Vice Chancellor, Occupational Education, is a district-wide position.  One key function is to serve as a liaison between the community and the various occupational departments on Riverside Community College’s three campuses.  If you are a member of the community who is interested in becoming involved in some aspect of occupational education, such as becoming an advisory committee member, serving as an industry contact, or seeking to hire a program graduate, please contact Ron Vito.

Staff

Terri Erickson, Secretary IV
(951) 222-8131

In addition to providing clerical support to the Associate Vice Chancellor, Occupational Education the secretary also coordinates the work experience education program as it relates to appropriate notation of student records for enrolled students, faculty compensation for work experience, and collection and maintenance of all work experience paperwork.  If you are a faculty member teaching work experience, you would contact Terri Erickson for appropriate timelines and forms.

Julie Pehkonen, Director, Career and Tech Ed Projects
(951) 222-8026

In addition to compiling and providing general information about occupational education programs at the college, Julie is responsible for three of the college’s Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (VTEA) grants.

1)  VTEA 1-C:  This grant is made available to the college to improve or enhance occupational education programs and services offered by the college. 

2) VTEA Tech Prep:  This grant supports a three-college consortium of Riverside Community College, College of the Desert, and Palo Verde College to partner with local school districts and businesses to develop sequential courses of study, called Tech Prep pathways, that create a seamless transition for students from high school through the completion of an associate of science degree in an occupational area. 

3) VTEA State Leadership:  This consortium grant provides funds for community colleges in Riverside and San Bernardino counties to work collaboratively in all areas of workforce education and training, including occupational education, contract education, economic development, and CalWorks.

Contact Julie if you would like information on any of the grants mentioned above, Tech Prep pathways, high school articulated course credit, general information on occupational programs, to request an occupational education representative to make a high school classroom presentation or attend your career fair, to request copies of the Occupational Education Handbook or Occupational Education newsletter, or staff development opportunities for occupational faculty.

Mary Ryder, Counselor
(951) 222-8126

As counselor for the occupational programs, Mary Ryder provides students interested in occupational programs with a full range of counseling services, including choosing a career path and mapping goals.  She also serves as a liaison between the counseling department and many occupational departments.  Contact Mary if you are a student and unsure of your career interests or if you’ve already chosen a career path but you need to know how to get there. 

Angie Topete, Assistant
(951) 328-3858