California Senator Connie Leyva Takes Tour of WCU-Ontario

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West Coast University was delighted to host state Sen. Connie Leyva at the Ontario campus this August.

Leyva, whose 20th State Senate District includes the cities and communities of Bloomington, Chino, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Montclair, Muscoy, Ontario, Pomona, Rialto and San Bernardino, got a full tour of what WCU-Ontario can offer its students.

“She was truly interested in the learning experiences at WCU. Her questions showed true interest in the educational opportunities for students in simulation, skills lab and generally at WCU. She was fully engaged and eager to see and hear as much as possible,” WCU Nursing Dean Robyn Nelson said. “I believe Sen. Leyva will be an effective voice for our sector in the legislature as a result of her visit.”

Also onhand to greet the senator were WCU-Ontario Executive Director Mitch Thomas, campus Career Services Director Michelle K. Meitner, and WCU alum and Grapevine Home Health director of nursing Maria Andrade.

Besides her tour, Leyva also took time to meet with a group of WCU students — Damoun Ireninejad-Moghaddam, Negeen Mayel, Lindsay Nord, Claudia Alvarez, Shaleena Bonjour and Maricelle Dingcong — to learn about their journey into nursing and educational experience.

Scott Casanover, general counsel and vice president of governmental affairs, said he hoped both the students and faculty that met with the senator, and Leyva herself, would take something away from the campus tour.

“As a member of both the Education and Health Committees, Sen. Leyva champions many of the core values that West Coast University embodies, and as a result she has the ability to impact our schools in a number of ways,” Casanover said. “Not only was Sen. Leyva’s visit a valuable civic exercise for our students, but hopefully opened the senator’s eyes to what a valuable role that West Coast University plays in the state of California.”

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