Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick (center) joins American River College President Dr. Lisa Cardoza, student April Starr and representatives from luncheon sponsors Powers Bookkeeping & Tax Service Inc. and SMUD during the July 17 Citrus Heights ACCESS Luncheon at the Citrus Heights Event Center.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - What if the strongest investment in Citrus Heights’ future starts in the classroom?

American River College (ARC) President Dr. Lisa Cardoza delivered that message to dozens of community members during the July 17 Citrus Heights ACCESS Luncheon, calling on local businesses, nonprofits and education leaders to deepen partnerships that prepare students for the workforce while strengthening the regional economy.

Hosted by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce at the Citrus Heights Event Center, the monthly luncheon brought together business professionals, elected officials and community leaders. Sponsored by Powers Bookkeeping & Tax Service Inc. and SMUD, the event featured lunch from Prepped Eats and focused on the role higher education plays in developing the area’s future workforce.

Chamber Executive Director Sheri Merrick introduced Cardoza as the first Latina and ninth president of American River College, highlighting the college’s role as one of the nation's largest community colleges serving more than 32,000 students.

Rather than beginning with statistics, Cardoza invited one of those students to speak first.

April Starr, a third-year ARC student majoring in business administration and psychology who also works in the president’s office, shared how the college has shaped her educational journey.

“As a student myself, I’ve seen firsthand how amazing ARC really is,” Starr said. “We all come from different backgrounds, different walks of life, but our experiences are always positive because ARC prides itself on creating that environment. It gives us the opportunity to explore, learn and grow.”

Cardoza said American River College is part of the Los Rios Community College District, the second-largest community college district in California, serving nearly 70,000 students across four colleges. She noted ARC is the sixth-largest community college in the nation and offers more than 380 certificate and degree programs.

While highlighting nationally recognized programs in advanced manufacturing, health care, biotechnology, culinary arts, automotive technology and skilled trades, Cardoza acknowledged colleges across the country are facing financial challenges because of reduced funding.

“We are being innovative and we are being creative,” Cardoza said. “Because of good partners like you all, we are making it work for our students. We need our students to be educated. We need our students to be giving back to their communities.”

Throughout her presentation, Cardoza emphasized partnerships as the key to maintaining affordable higher education and preparing students for careers in high-demand industries, including nursing, engineering, software development, public safety and early childhood education.

She also shared the personal story that shaped her passion for community colleges.

Growing up in one of the poorest school districts in South Texas, Cardoza became pregnant at 16 and believed her dream of attending college was over. Instead, with encouragement, scholarships and family support, she eventually earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University before completing her doctorate.

“We must believe in our students first,” Cardoza said. “Education is the key to getting them out of poverty, to helping our communities and to making sure that we thrive all around. Education changed the trajectory of my life.”

Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick (center) receives a special recognition from representatives of local elected officials' offices after being named one of the Sacramento Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business honorees. Pictured from left are, Marco Espinoza, representing U.S. Rep. Ami Bera; Mika Klinsman, representing state Sen. Roger Niello; Natalya Sachuk, representing Assemblymember Josh Hoover; and Forrest Johnson, representing Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez.

Cardoza encouraged local employers to think differently about workforce development, noting that many community college students cannot afford unpaid internships because they are balancing school, jobs and family responsibilities.

Instead, she promoted paid work-based learning opportunities that allow students to “learn and earn” simultaneously.

She pointed to partnerships with organizations that fund paid internships, as well as American River College's apprenticeship programs, which currently serve about 4,000 students and have a 98% success rate.

Cardoza also highlighted collaborations with local school districts through dual enrollment programs, which allow more than 3,500 high school students to earn college credit before graduation, along with transfer partnerships with Sacramento State, UC Davis and other California universities.

She cited SMUD as an example of how industry partnerships can directly benefit students. Working together on workforce needs and facility improvements helped ARC expand its electrician training program while aligning classroom instruction with employer demand.

“Our students are benefiting from these partnerships,” Cardoza said. “We can’t do it alone. We need good partners like you.”

Following Cardoza's presentation, representatives from several elected officials' offices surprised Merrick with a special recognition celebrating her recent selection as one of the Sacramento Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business honorees.

“For those of you who don’t know, Sheri was recognized last month as a Woman Who Means Business," said Mika Klinsman, representing state Sen. Roger Niello. “When I think of Sheri, I just think of everyone’s biggest cheerleader, so we just wanted to cheer you on.”

Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick (center) receives a special recognition from representatives of local elected officials' offices after being named one of the Sacramento Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business honorees. Pictured from left are, Marco Espinoza, representing U.S. Rep. Ami Bera; Mika Klinsman, representing state Sen. Roger Niello; Natalya Sachuk, representing Assemblymember Josh Hoover; and Forrest Johnson, representing Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez.

Marco Espinoza, representing U.S. Rep. Ami Bera, echoed that sentiment, praising Merrick’s longstanding commitment to supporting local businesses.

“Every time I go into a new business, grand opening, ribbon cutting, whatever it may be, Sheri always has great words to say,” Espinoza said. “She’s someone who is truthfully rooted in the community, willing to support each and every one of you, or give out a loving hand.”

The next Citrus Heights ACCESS Luncheon is scheduled for Aug. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Citrus Heights Event Center. Organizers noted the August luncheon will be held on the second Tuesday of the month instead of its usual third Tuesday schedule.