What does it actually take to create a sustainable and equitable recovery plan after a disaster? In this episode, host Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and co-host, Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations at Economic and Workforce Development at PCC, dive into the real, hands-on ways Pasadena City College is leading the region's recovery and preparing the workforce for what's next.

In their conversation, they pull back the curtain on how PCC rapidly launched solutions after the Altadena fires—organizing immediate support, connecting resources, and building innovative new pathways for rebuilding.

You'll hear how economic and workforce development isn't just a division—it's the engine driving PCC's response. From the launch of the Skills to Rebuild initiative and rapid business accelerators to flexible, career-focused programs, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo and Leslie Thompson share exactly how PCC is equipping students, supporting local businesses, and creating new opportunities for workers hit hardest by disaster and how we continue to build forward and stay vigilant in the approach to disaster recovery.

You'll learn:

• How Pasadena City College's Division of Economic and Workforce Development plays a crucial role in rebuilding and supporting communities in crisis

• How existing assets from the college, such as PCC Extension and noncredit courses, can be rapidly deployed to aid displaced workers and business owners

• The importance of business technical assistance in times of disaster, including how the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Women's Business Center (WBC) served over 400 fire-impacted businesses, most of them women-owned

• How career technical education (vocational programming) and initiatives like Skills to Rebuild and the College Corps empower students and create pipelines for workforce development

Engage with us:

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Visit: PCC EWD website

Partner with us! Contact our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo directly: [email protected]

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Find the transcript of this episode here

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October 29th, 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm PST This panel will examine how colleges, employers, workforce organizations, public agencies, and community partners can work together to connect people to the careers emerging from recovery. We'll discuss where the greatest workforce needs are developing, how education and training programs can keep pace, and what employers need from workforce partners. Whether you develop workforce programs, hire talent, teach students, or shape public policy, you'll leave understanding where recovery and workforce opportunities intersect. We will be featuring panelists from across county government, utilities, construction and trades, and the rebuild effort.

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