Riverside City College Welcomes More Than 2,500 New Tigers at 2025 Welcome Day

Riverside City College (RCC) proudly welcomed more than 2,500 new students and their families to campus during Welcome Day 2025, held Friday, August 22. The annual tradition transformed campus into a vibrant hub of celebration, connection, and Tiger Pride as incoming students prepared to begin their academic journey.

Faculty, classified professionals, managers, administrators, retirees, and student leaders came together to create a festive onboarding experience, showcasing the strength of the RCC community. The event featured music from the internationally acclaimed RCC Marching Tigers, spirited performances from cheerleaders and dancers, and interactive sessions highlighting academic programs, student clubs, and campus resources.

“This year’s Welcome Day was a tremendous success thanks to the commitment of our entire RCC family,” said Vice President, FeRita Carter, Ph.D.

Interim President, Eric Bishop, Ed.D., highlighted, “At RCC, we live by our Tiger Values—Transparency, Inclusivity, Growth, Equity, Respect, and Student-Centeredness. Today, those values were on full display as our community came together to celebrate and support our newest Tigers.”

Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac, Ph.D., Trustee Mary Figueroa, and ASRCCD Student Trustee Gabriel Graves joined in welcoming students, reinforcing the district’s commitment to access, equity, and student success.

The event was led by Dean of Student Services, Thomas Cruz-Soto, Ed.D., and classified professional Cathlene Castellanos, who coordinated months of planning with teams across the college and district. Their leadership ensured a seamless experience for students, even as activities unfolded under triple-digit summer heat.

“Welcome Day is a collective effort that demonstrates what happens when our community comes together for our students,” said Vice President, FeRita Carter. “This milestone marks the beginning of an incredible academic year at RCC.”

Student leaders also played a vital role, with ASRCC President Myisha Jackson and the Associated Students team greeting attendees, hosting activities, and encouraging peers to get involved in campus life.

As students explored resource fairs, joined clubs, and connected with mentors, the spirit of Tiger Pride resonated throughout the day. “Our talented students and dedicated employees make events like this possible,” Bishop added. “Together, we create opportunities that shape the future of our community.”

Welcome Day concluded with excitement for the year ahead, including the historic move-in of the first RCCD-UCR Residential Scholars cohort, further underscoring RCC’s innovative approach to student success.