Some 11,000 people gathered at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California (and hundreds more via the online live stream) to celebrate the summer 2014 Commencement Ceremony for American Career College (ACC). More than 1,100 graduates from all five Southern California ACC locations donned caps and gowns to walk across the stage and prepare for a new career in health care. The ceremony marked the largest in the college’s history, organizers say.
In honor of National Nurses Week
I manage the news bureau at American Career College, West Coast University and Contemporary Forums and this week I produced these feature stories in honor of National Nurses Week.
While in Las Vegas for the Neonatal Nursing Conference I sat down with Dr. Jennifer Arnold, a physician who co-star’s in TLC’s “The Little People” and asked her about the importance of nursing. Check out what she says below.
West Coast University is ahead of the curve when it comes to the number of male nursing students; at WCU some 25% of undergraduate nursing students are men, compared to the national average of 14%. Learn more about men in nursing in this video celebrating National Nurses Week.
And finally, at American Career College I met Edmond Tafoya, who became a Licensed Vocational Nurse at the age of 60. He shared his story about the long, unexpected journey to becoming a nurse. See the video below.
KTLA: Local Students Spread Joy and Stuffed Animals at Boyle Heights Hospital
It was a pleasure to work with KTLA on this story for American Career College.
6PM news segment:
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10PM news segment:
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“It Just Takes One” Campaign Underway for Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area
The Boys and Girls Club of the Harbor Area hopes you will be “the one” to make a financial gift of support this year. The local nonprofit, which has been serving kids in Orange County for more than 70 years, today launched its annual fundraising campaign known as “It Just Takes One” with the goal of raising $110,000 over the course of six weeks. It Just Takes One is launching with great momentum thanks to a gift of $70,000 from Newport Beach philanthropist David Pyle, who offered the donation as a matching gift. Mr. Pyle is the founder and CEO of American Career College, and the Executive Chairman of the Board of West Coast University.
Video Blog: Covering ACC Graduation in Ontario
Saturday was an amazing day. It was the winter graduation ceremony for American Career College and I was there filming to produce this story; watch to see a university president singing “Row, Row Your Boat” in his speech. Congrats grads!
Video Blog: Kyle Cease Makes Inspirational Visit in Long Beach
It was a pleasure to meet actor and comedian Kyle Cease when he visited the Long Beach campus of American Career College. His powerful message really made an impact on students and faculty – check out the video below. Kyle has an event coming in Los Angeles and you should go see him.
KTLA feature: Long Beach Teen Gets Second Chance
It was a pleasure to work with KTLA on this story about David Rodriguez, a 19-year-old who will be graduating from the Medical Assistant program at American Career College in Long Beach.
Video Blog: Filling Backpacks for Kids With Cancer
I am very proud to have participated in the efforts at American Career College and West Coast University administration; we collected hundreds of items to fill backpacks for kids with cancer. Check out this video story about PADRES, a non-profit organization doing amazing work.
A Christmas video blog
It was a pleasure to visit the American Career College campus in Long Beach for this video story today.
Nursing Students Inspire $50,000 Donation to Red Cross in Response to Typhoon Haiyan

Administrators and Faculty from West Coast University and American Career College provided a check to leaders from the Red Cross
After the enormous devastation from Typhoon Haiyan became clear, organizations like the Red Cross immediately went into action. Students at American Career College (ACC) and West Coast University (WCU) saw news coverage about volunteer nurses and doctors who were headed to the devastated country to assist, and they were inspired to do something to help. For nursing student Joan Azagra, it was much more personal; a native of the Philippines, her entire family still lives there.
Brand Journalism: Serving the Community in LA
This is my latest video story for American Career College. The staff, faculty and students at ACC LA are supporting a local domestic violence shelter.