Community

SMC in the News

2026

(Articles are not necessarily in chronological order)

Hope for the Unhoused 
Santa Monica Daily Press, March 9, 2026  

Santa Monica College Earns Black-Serving Institution Designation 
Santa Monica Daily Press, March 8, 2026  

Students pitch solutions for LA28 challenges 
Daily Trojan, March 9, 2026 
(SMC students were on one of the teams)  

美 과학의 힘 ‘거북이 연구’[초격차 과학인재 1만人 프로젝트] 
The Seoul Shinmun, March 3, 2026 
Translation: The Power of U.S. Science: The Story of “Turtle Research”
[VP of Academic Affairs Jason Bearsdley is quoted in this article. Translation: The U.S. science and technology talent pipeline does not discriminate by nationality, race, educational background, or financial circumstances. Opportunities for re-education and second chances are considered a right for everyone. Educational institutions spread across communities—including two-year public colleges known as community colleges—serve as a “middle ladder” leading students to top universities or cutting-edge research institutions.
Jason Beardsley, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Santa Monica College—the community college with the highest transfer rate to the University of California system—said, “Community colleges provide a safety net that helps students realize that stopping or failing is not the end, and that they still have plenty of opportunities to try again.”] 

California colleges spend millions on faulty AI systems: ‘The chatbot is outdated’ 
KVUE ABC, March 6, 2026 

SMC Kicks off Spring Jazz Series 
Santa Monica Lookout, March 6, 2026 

Kamasi Washington to Headline Inaugural Santa Monica International Jazz Festival in May 
Santa Monica Daily Press, March 3, 2026 

Light that Lasts - Blue Fier Remembered through SMC Celebration of Life Exhibit 
The Corsair, March 3, 2026 

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson's visit to SMC in 1988 and remembrance of his life. 
The Corsair, February 28, 2026 

Community College Students on Path to Legal Careers 
Foundation for California Community Colleges, March 4, 2026  

The UCSB Dance Company presents Convergence: into the center 
Santa Barbara News Press, February 25, 2026
(Features SMC Dance instructor Seda Aybay) 

SMC to Host Talk by Artist rafa esparza 
Santa Monica Daily Press, March 5, 2026 

Santa Monica Celebrates Women's History Month 
Santa Monica Lookout, March 2, 2026 

SMC Expands Homeless Services Training Program With $355K Grant 
Santa Monica Daily Press, February 10, 2026 

Watch: Santa Monica College Offers Unhoused Services Training Program 
CBS LA, February 4, 2026  

Read: Santa Monica College offers certified homeless service program free for limited time 
CBSNews.com, February 4, 2026  

Three CSUs awarded new designation to support Black students 
The Poly Post, February 3, 2026 
(SMC has also been awarded a designation as a Black-Serving Institution) 

CSU object to some new community college degrees, igniting debate over who can teach what 
Los Angeles Times, February 10, 2026 

Santa Monica College Builds on Longstanding Transfer Leadership With New Gains in Degree Recognition and Transparency 
PR Newswire, February 12, 2026 

Santa Monica College Dance Department to Hold Spring 2026 Open House 
National Today, February 12, 2026 

After funding cuts, KCRW laid off beloved DJs. It hopes new voices can save the music 
Los Angeles Times, February 12, 2026 

Santa Monica College approves dozens of layoffs to target shortfalls 
Higher Ed Dive, February 9, 2026  

Jammin’ With Stanley: Locals’ Night at the Santa Monica Pierhonors genre-defining jazz musicians 
The Argonaut, February 11, 2026 

Santa Monica College Dance Department to Hold Open House Feb. 17 
Santa Monica Daily Press, February 10, 2026  

Santa Monica College to Host Valentine’s Glass Sale at Virginia Avenue Park 
Palisades News, February 10, 2026 

Funding roundup 
Community College Daily, February 2, 2026 

United Way of Greater LA Gives $355k Boost to SMC Homeless Service Work Program 
SMC Newsroom, January 28, 2026  

SMC Planetarium Offers Solar System and Black Hole Shows This Winter 
Santa Monica Daily Press, January 16, 2026 

Santa Monica College to Host Valentine’s Glass Sale at Virginia Avenue Park 
Palisades News, January 24, 2026  

The emerging California job industry that is AI-proof 
Sacramento Bee, January 5, 2026 

Trump administration escalates investigations into transgender athlete participation in California 
Los Angeles Times, January 16, 2026  

LBCC will soon offer its first bachelor’s degree, starting with library sciences 
Long Beach Post, January 14, 2026 
(Walter Butler, SMC’s Director of Library & Information Services, is quoted) 

SMC Emeritus Gallery Hosts Free Online Opening for Barbara Gordon Portrait Exhibition 
Santa Monica Daily Press, January 14, 2026  

Trump administration opens 18 new probes over trans athletes 
The Washington Post, January 14, 2026  

Community college leaders urge approval of blocked bachelor’s degrees 
Ventura County Star, January 16, 2026 

Auto shop class is thriving. Community college students basically fix your car for free 
Los Angeles Times, January 6, 2026   

41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration 
Santa Monica Patch, January 19, 2026 

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