Riverside City College Welcomes More Than 2,000 Students for Welcome Day 2026

Revamped event connects new Tigers with resources, opportunities and the RCC community ahead of the fall semester

Riverside City College welcomed more than 2,000 new students who RSVP’d for Welcome Day 2026, transforming the campus into a celebration of belonging, engagement and Tiger pride as students prepared to begin the fall semester.

Many students attended alongside family members, friends and supporters, giving the broader RCC community an opportunity to experience the resources, programs and people who will support students throughout their educational journey.

“Welcome Day is about making sure our students know from the very beginning that they belong at Riverside City College and that there is an entire community invested in their success,” RCC President Eric Bishop, Ed.D., said. “College can open doors students may not yet know are possible, and our responsibility is to make sure they have the relationships, resources and encouragement they need to walk through those doors.”

The revamped Welcome Day was designed as an intentional first-year experience, connecting students with both academic and student support services while providing opportunities to begin building relationships across campus.

Throughout the morning, students and their supporters participated in self-guided campus tours, club rush, a comprehensive resource fair, academic engagement center visits, cultural and resource engagement center open houses and student services question-and-answer sessions. Students connected with representatives from financial aid, basic needs, health and mental health services, academic support programs, engagement centers and other services available throughout the year.

The event also showcased the student life and campus culture that are an important part of the RCC experience. Band and cheer performances, music and entertainment, photo opportunities, career closet giveaways, bookstore activities, refreshments and pop-up raffles helped create a celebratory atmosphere and encouraged students to explore ways to become involved on campus.

Current RCC students played a central role in welcoming the College’s newest Tigers. Student volunteers, performers and Associated Students of Riverside City College (ASRCC) members and leaders served as ambassadors throughout the event, giving incoming students an opportunity to connect with their peers and see firsthand the leadership and engagement opportunities available at RCC.

More than 50 faculty, classified professionals, managers, administrators, student leaders and community members participated in Welcome Day. The event represented months of campuswide planning under the administrative leadership of Thomas Cruz-Soto, Ed.D., dean of student services, and classified professional Cathlene Castellanos, with collaboration across Student Services, Academic Affairs, Business Services, Planning and Resource Development, the President’s Office, the District Office and numerous college programs.

Riverside Community College District Chancellor Wolde-Ab Isaac and longtime RCCD Trustee Mary Figueroa also joined Bishop at the event, demonstrating the districtwide commitment to creating meaningful onboarding experiences and ensuring students have access to the support they need to succeed.

“Students are most successful when they know they are not navigating college alone,” Cruz-Soto said. “Welcome Day brought the campus together to make those connections early and show students where they can turn for help, engagement and opportunity. The tremendous collaboration behind this event demonstrates what is possible when we work together around a shared commitment to our students.”

Welcome Day 2026 reflected a simple but powerful message: teamwork works. The collective efforts of employees, students, district leadership and community partners created an environment where new Tigers could begin their college experience feeling welcomed, valued, connected and prepared for success.

As Riverside City College begins the 2026-27 academic year, Welcome Day set the tone for the semester ahead and reaffirmed the College’s commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity, resources and sense of belonging necessary to achieve their goals.