Sunday, July 20, 2025

Simon says

There is a moment at the start of Greg Simon’s physical anthropology class when a spark goes off, as he finishes reminding students of deadlines and begins his lecture. As the term “natural selection” leaves Simon’s lips, his eyes widen and the corners at his mouth turn up in excitement, while he begins to discuss his passion. The Pierce College...

Setting the Abara

Dr. Jose Abara sits in his office on Feb. 28, 2018. Photo by Martin MoranHuddled in a cabin-snug office in the ELM building, Dr. Jose Abara of the Psychology department is surrounded by posters of monumental American figures and pieces of Pierce memorabilia. An alumni of CSUN and the University at Buffalo, the doctor of behavioral neuroscience has learned...

Bringing culture to the classroom

Many Americans, including Angelita Rovero, have had their identities centered around a generic stereotypical label—one often including a hyphen. African-American. Asian-American. The names have become too general to describe someone’s culture. Rovero, who is both Mexican and Jewish, felt like...

An Out of this Galaxy Professor

Dale Fields holds a 3D globe at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., Photo by Natalie Miranda A science professor comes gliding into campus on his bicycle every day, unless it is a rainy day. On this day, he is wearing a white T-shirt with the words, Earth first, before the other planets....

Finding culture through Anthropology

Erin Hayes holds a Russian nesting doll, surrounded by other cultural items in her office on Mar. 16, 2019 at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. The saying is to always take the road less traveled. This mantra is often found on coffee cups and bumper stickers with good intentions that are rarely...

The Long Way Dao-wn the Road

(Left to Right) Long Dao, mens tennis head coach, talks to Christian Ponce and Daniel Vinterfeld in the tennis courts at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif on Feb. 27, 2019. Photo by Chris Torres. Beside the rusty metal fences surrounding the outdoor tennis courts stood a hooded figure dressed in a bright...

Teaching students on what they can do as welders

Photo by: Diego Barajas As he stands tall wearing Celtic wristbands laid under his skin, grey facial hair, and brown leather work boots, he has returned to the campus with familiarity. Teaching on the Pierce College campus for nine years, Gary Wheeler, certified in L.A. city structural steel, L.A. city reinforcing steel, and California State certification, is a welding instructor...

From the punk show to the classroom

Pierce College English Professor standing in his office in Woodland Hills Calif., holding some memorabilia from his time as lead singer and guitarist for punk band Still Life. Photo by Cameron Kern Blue dyed hair, skin-tight jeans, ear piercings, skull tattoos and fast-paced strumming of guitar strings- these are just some...