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:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

Partner with us! Contact our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo directly: scummo@pasadena.edu

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!

We are diving into the evolving landscape of the Goods Movement with Gene Seroka, Director of the Port of Los Angeles. Our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo and Gene Seroka have a candid conversation about the challenges and innovations shaping the goods movement sector and how turbulent changes in trade policy, tariffs, and technology are impacting supply chain management.

They also discuss the importance of steady leadership and long-term investment in careers and future-forward problem solving. Gene Seroka shares insights on launching the Port Optimizer—a groundbreaking digital platform that's transforming cargo operations—and shares the vision to build the nation's first goods movement training campus.

You'll hear about the critical role California Community Colleges play in partnering with the Port of Los Angeles to collaborate on workforce training and the need to upskill both new and existing talent. Gene shares practical advice for staying visible, mobile, and resilient as we navigate the future of work.

You'll learn:

• How partnerships between industry leaders and community colleges are shaping workforce training and curriculum development

• Why steady, long-term investment is essential for supply chain resilience in the face of unpredictable trade policies and economic cycles

• Why the creation of the nation's first goods movement training campus matters for the future of port and supply chain careers

About the guest:

Gene Seroka is the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in the Western Hemisphere. The Port has experienced historic, record-breaking performances since his appointment in 2014. As chief of America's top port, he is responsible for managing a $2.6 billion budget, advancing major capital projects, growing trade volume and promoting innovative, sustainable practices that strengthen the region's economy. Under his direction, the Port has taken a leadership role in adopting cutting-edge technologies to improve cargo flow at the San Pedro Bay port complex and throughout the supply chain, including the launch of the digital Port OptimizerTM cargo-tracking system. Seroka continues to advocate for a national export policy and data-sharing among ports globally.

Seroka has distinguished himself as a leader throughout his illustrious career in shipping, global logistics and executive management. He received the esteemed Stanley T. Olafson Award from the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce in 2023, recognizing his work in the world trade industry and leadership of the nation's busiest container port. The Containerization & Intermodal Institute named Seroka the 2021 recipient of the Connie Award, one the most coveted honors in the maritime industry. Seroka has been named one of the most influential people in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal and featured on the LA500 list each year since it was created in 2016.

Engage with us:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

More from the Port of L.A:

Visit: https://portoflosangeles.org/

LinkedIn: @portofla

Instagram: @portofla

Youtube: @theportoflosangeles

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: scummo@pasadena.edu

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!

For many students, alternative career pathways are the key to unlocking systemic barriers and breaking through rigid environments that keep economic mobility out of reach. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Jesse Diaz, the Director of Market Development Los Angeles at Propel America to unpack how to build more equitable career opportunities. As a first-generation Latino college graduate and lifelong educator, Jesse brings a powerful personal journey—growing up in Boyle Heights and navigating nontraditional pathways from athletics to nonprofit leadership. Together, they dive into the challenges young adults face in building stable careers, the impact of rising college costs, and the barriers that marginalized communities often encounter. Join us to discover how reimagining career pathways can create more equitable opportunities and build a stronger, more inclusive workforce for the future.

You'll learn:

• Why alternative career pathways—like tuition-free, debt-free training and apprenticeships—are critical for both economic mobility and meeting urgent workforce needs.

• How mentorship, wraparound support, and innovative community partnerships transform the lives of students grappling with systemic barriers.

• How educational institutions and community organizations work together to address obstacles keeping marginalized communities out of the workforce.

• Why it is imperative to challenge conventional views about the connection between education and employment.

About the Guest:

Jesse Diaz is Propel's Director of Market Development, Los Angeles. He is a proud Los Angeles native from the working-class neighborhood of Boyle Heights. He graduated from Roosevelt High School as a scholar-athlete and went on to pursue his passion for football, earning his Bachelor's at Doane College. Although an injury ended his playing career, it led him to discover his passion for education and supporting our youth facing systemic barriers. Jesse went on to serve as AmeriCorps member with City Year San Antonio igniting his desire to become an educator. He returned to Los Angeles and later earned a Master of Science degree in Sport Administration as a graduate assistant coaching Division 2 football at Eastern New Mexico University. Most recently, he served as a Student Support Specialist with SIATech Academy South, an Independent Studies High School.

Engage with us:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

More from Jesse Diaz & Propel America

LinkedIn: @Propel America & @Jesse Diaz

Instagram: @propel.america

Facebook: @PropelAmerica

Website: https://www.propelamerica.org/

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: scummo@pasadena.edu

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!