Riverside City College Joins City of Riverside and Education Partners in LIFT MOU Signing Ceremony
Riverside City College (RCC) joined the City of Riverside and regional education partners at Riverside City Hall to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) launching the Learning Institute for Flight Technology (LIFT), a collaborative framework focused on strengthening workforce pathways in aviation, aerospace, and related technology sectors.
The agreement brings together the City of Riverside, Riverside Unified School District, Alvord Unified School District, Riverside City College, California Baptist University, and UC Riverside to align educational programs, training opportunities, and industry needs in support of long-term economic growth and workforce development in the region.
“LIFT is not a single program. It is a framework and a brand that brings together efforts that already exist, strengthens them, and gives them direction,” said Riverside City Councilmember Steven Robillard during the signing ceremony. “These agreements are symbolic by design, but symbols matter. They signal commitment, create accountability, and lay the groundwork for real work ahead.”
Through LIFT, partners will explore how curriculum, training, and workforce pipelines can be intentionally coordinated to ensure Riverside residents are prepared for emerging career opportunities in high-demand industries.
“We are excited to be working with each other and with industry to keep talent in the Inland Empire,” said Eric Bishop, Ed.D., Interim President of Riverside City College. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating clear, accessible pathways that connect education to meaningful careers and economic mobility.”
Riverside Community College District Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D., highlighted the broader impact of the partnership on students and the region. “This collaboration reflects our collective responsibility to ensure that students and residents of Riverside have access to opportunities that lead to economic mobility and community prosperity,” Isaac said. “By aligning education with workforce needs, we are strengthening the region’s talent pipeline and positioning Riverside for long-term growth.”
Deputy Chancellor and Provost Star Rivera-Lacey, Ph.D., of the Riverside Community College District, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in building sustainable workforce systems. “When education, industry, and local government come together with a shared purpose, we create pathways that are not only innovative but equitable,” she said. “LIFT represents the kind of coordinated approach needed to prepare students for the future of work.”
Robillard emphasized that the collaboration is designed to move beyond isolated efforts toward a coordinated regional strategy. “At its core, LIFT is about asking the right questions of our partners, identifying the resources already at the table, and ensuring we are working together rather than in silos,” he said. “This is the beginning of a long-term collaboration that will scale, evolve, and ultimately serve as a model for other sectors in our city.”
The LIFT initiative also recognizes Riverside’s unique assets, including the Riverside Municipal Airport and the region’s growing aviation and advanced manufacturing industries. As workforce demands continue to rise across aerospace and technology fields, the partnership aims to expand career awareness, strengthen skills development, and support a more prepared and competitive workforce.
By signing the LIFT MOU, Riverside City College reaffirmed its role as a key educational partner in the region, committed to collaboration, innovation, and community-centered workforce development.
“Together, we are laying the foundation for the future,” Robillard said. “Thank you for your partnership and for helping us lift Riverside’s workforce into the future.”