A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf
The United Nations General Assembly chose April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in 2007 to bring attention to the growing need for communities and organizations to support Autistic individuals.

World Autism Awareness Day: Embrace neurodivergence

Michael Combs, Editor
April 2, 2024
SRJC student and Resident Advisor for SRJCs Polly OMeara Doyle dormitory Jayce Kaldunski maximizes space in his room with a couch and study area surrounded by his carnivorous plant collection under a bunk bed.

SRJC’s 30-second commute

Michael Combs, Editor
December 5, 2023
Jeff Gargiulo of The Silverado Pickups jams out with his guitar on the Allianz Stage at BottleRock Napa Valley on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Lizzo promotes body positivity while The Silverado Pickups, Tove Lo rock out BottleRock day 2

Michael Combs, Sean Young, and Nick Vides
May 28, 2023
SRJC’s Shone Farm is a 365-acre outdoor learning laboratory where students can learn crop production, ecological preservation, viticulture, animal and equine science, forestry and wildfire prevention.

SRJC’s Shone Farm: a place where students can grow

Michael Combs, Co-Editor in Chief
May 24, 2023
As SRJC’s first president of color, Dr. Chong feels he came to the right place at the right time, when the community was starting to change. He arrived with plans to make Latino, first-generation, homeless, LGBTQIA+ and veteran students feel indispensable to the college community.

So Long, Dr. Chong

Michael Combs and Sean Young
May 19, 2023
As a college president, Dr. Garcia looks forward to connecting with students. She kept sneakers in her office at Berkeley City College so she could walk the campus to socialize throughout the day.

Gabbing with Garcia: An interview with SRJC’s incoming president

Michael Combs and Sean Young
May 19, 2023

The dangers of AI in media and three non-controversial ways to use ChatGPT

Stephen Howe and Malek Madani
May 16, 2023
24th U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón thinks the pandemic was a time where it was easier for Americans to be numb and hopes poetry can help us remember we are thinkers and feelers.

Songs of Sonoma: U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón reads select poems from her life in Sonoma County

Michael Combs, Co-Editor in Chief
April 24, 2023
Delashay Carmona Benson (on the left, next to Board of Trustee Members Terry Lindley, middle, and Ezrah Chaaban, right) announces her resignation as SRJC Student Trustee at the April 11 after a year of conflict with college officials.

SRJC Student Trustee announces resignation at Board of Trustees meeting

Michael Combs, Co-Editor in Chief
April 21, 2023
The new president for the SRJC Students in Recovery Club, Dan Lionett, wants meetings to cover the connection between addiction and mental health, individual coping mechanisms for addiction as well as the recovery lifestyle.

SRJC Students for Recovery Club invites all students wanting support in the recovery lifestyle

Michael Combs, Editor In Chief
March 7, 2023
Thorton “Thor” McKay is grateful to be alive after attempting suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge on Dec. 27, 2022. He urges students to have a reliable support system when they feel hopeless.

SRJC student survives jump off Golden Gate Bridge and is thankful at second chance

Michael Combs, Editor in Chief
February 28, 2023
An SRJC Police officer speaks with an individual having a mental health crisis on the south side rooftop of the Zumwalt Parking Garage on Friday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Santa Rosa.

District police respond to mental health crisis on campus

Sean Young and Michael Combs
February 15, 2023
24th U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón thinks the pandemic was a time where it was easier for Americans to be numb and hopes poetry can help us remember we are thinkers and feelers.

Songs of Sonoma: U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón reads select poems from her life in Sonoma County

Michael Combs, Editor-In-Chief
December 14, 2022
Legendary climber Kevin Jorgeson scales the wall at his new climbing gym, Session, his latest passion after a life spent clinging to natural walls including Yosemites storied Dawn Wall, which he and his climbing partner, Tommy Caldwell, were the first to summit.

School of Hard Rocks: The Story of Kevin Jorgeson

Michael Combs, Editor-In-Chief
December 13, 2022
California’s Proposition 1, on the California General Election Ballot Nov. 8, would increase protection of an individual’s reproductive rights by including them in an amendment to California’s Constitution, without changing current state law.

California Proposition 1

Michael Combs, Editor-In-Chief
October 24, 2022
After two years of planning, SRJCs Ethnic Studies Department is live with five new full-time faculty and courses that fulfill California public universities graduation requirements. (Clockwise, from top left: ethnic studies instructors Jordan Bell, Moises Santos, Jason Seals, Lori Laiwa Thomas and Stephanie Chang)

Santa Rosa Junior College Ethnic Studies Departments opens with new courses and faculty

Michael Combs, Editor-In-Chief
October 11, 2022
Director of Student Health Services Rebecca-Maria Norwick DNP spoke to SGA about services the department provides, such as the monkeypox vaccine and new non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at their meeting August 29.

SGA appoints new Curriculum Review Committee member and provides updates on the Monkeypox and COVID-19 vaccines

Michael Combs, Editor-in-Chief
September 5, 2022
Meghan Walla-Murphy, SRJC instructor and director of the North Bay Bear Collaborative, believes feral pigs benefit Sonoma Countys oak woodlands by rooting in the ground, which distributes acorns, aerates the soil and increases water percolation.

Humans vs. feral hogs: Why can’t we be friends?

Michael Combs, Editor
May 25, 2022
SGA President Delashay Carmona Benson (left) and SGA Vice President of Diversity Athena Weathers (right) formed the SRJC Disabled Student Union to support disabled students who feel excluded from campus life.

SGA leaders start Disabled Student Union to support SRJC’s disabled community

Michael Combs, Editor
May 18, 2022

Jenner Headlands Preserve: Coastal prairies, cows and vista points

Michael Combs and Albert Levine
May 17, 2022
Former SRJC student Tate Barend created the Lift-Off scholarship to support students with learning disabilities through college and allow them to showcase their unique abilities, which may be hampered by traditional education.

Former SRJC student gives back to disabled community with Lift-Off Scholarship

Michael Combs, Editor
May 15, 2022
SRJC filmmaking students said award-winning director Fabio Frey provided the right mix of professional criticism and learning space during the making of student film “You Don’t See Me, which will air as an unofficial selection of the 14th Petaluma Film Fest.

Award-winning director Fabio Frey shows SRJC filmmaking students how it’s done

Michael Combs, Editor
April 29, 2022

Helen Putnam Regional Park: Take a walk through the rolling hills of Sonoma County

Michael Combs and Albert Levine
March 28, 2022
A poster for the Women and Disability in America talk at SRJC.

The little known history of the women behind the disability rights movement in America

Michael Combs, Editor
March 19, 2022
Michael Hogle, 39, poses in his Santa Rosa Junior College culinary arts jacket and holds a small tote bag

Cooking alone: The challenge in learning culinary arts during a pandemic

Michael Combs, Editor
March 16, 2022
14 Santa Rosa Junior College choir and chamber singers and there instructor stand on the front steps of Burbank Auditorium in black formal wear.

Help SRJC choir students get to Carnegie Hall

Michael Combs, Editor
March 15, 2022

The Oak Leaf Online: The Super Bowl

SRJC MEDIA 19 students
March 1, 2022
A Black History Month flyer detailing the various BHM events happening at SRJC.

SRJC Sawubona Black Support Center presents “Black Yoga Series” for Black History Month

Michael Combs, Editor
February 15, 2022
The frame of the new SRJC dorm building with a white sky nearing sunset in the background.

State funding could drop new student housing rent as low as $700

Aryk Copley, Photographer
February 10, 2022
A photo of a sign that says Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf Guide to SRJC, Spring 2022: Online and Santa Rosa campus edition

The Oak Leaf Staff
February 9, 2022
SGA asked representatives from 15 Santa Rosa Junior College student groups how supportive campus administration and culture was for them over Zoom Dec. 6.

SGA asks SRJC student groups if the campus is student-ready

Michael Combs, Editor
December 11, 2021

Salt Point State Park: Pygmy forest, coastal prairie and mushrooms

Michael Combs, Editor
December 8, 2021
The Oak Leaf staff, pictured here with Santa Rosa Junior College President Dr. Frank Chong (center, blue sweater), won two on-the-spot awards and 12 publication awards at the 2021 JACC Virtual Fall Conference Nov. 5–7.

The Oak Leaf brings home 14 JACC awards

James Domizio, Managing Editor
November 18, 2021
The SRJC Foundation and professional artist Maria De Los Angelos want to represent SRJC community values for the new mural at 707 Elliot Ave.

SRJC Foundation seeks student and faculty input for new on-campus mural

Michael Combs, Editor
November 8, 2021
Six people standing with shovels during the groundbreaking ceremony for new on-campus housing.

SRJC celebrates new student housing project with groundbreaking ceremony

Michael Combs, Editor
October 25, 2021
This Oak Leaf explainer will catch you up on SRJCs new vaccine mandate, how to get a CLEARED4 access pass and changes in campus attendance coming this October.

Everything you need to know about SRJC’s vaccine mandate and CLEARED4 access passes

James Domizio, Managing Editor
October 11, 2021
Santa Rosa medical professionals assured SRJC students and faculty that development of the COVID-19 vaccine followed the same testing and approval processes as the other 14 vaccines used in the U.S.

SRJC hosts Q&A to share COVID vaccine information and dispel misinformation

Michael Combs, Editor
October 4, 2021
A photo of a graphic titled On-Campus Employees/Volunteers - Vaccination verification & Covid 19 Testing Process. Step 1: Vaccination verification submitted online or in-person. Step 2: Vaccination record verified by HR and recorded in Escape Portal. OR Test Weekly with SRJC (Positive tests will be reported to COVID Response Team. Step 3: Weekly report on employees allowed on campus.

SRJC Board of Trustees approves on-campus vaccine mandate

Michael Combs and Liam Vinueza
September 16, 2021
A picture of a group of Pomo dancers performing under a read canopy.

Unity Through Community: SRJC clubs share support and solidarity

Emma Molloy and Michael Combs
May 20, 2021

Willow Creek Road Trail: Let summer hiking begin

Michael Combs, Editor
May 20, 2021
A photo of Black Panther Legacy Keepers cofounder Amin Cooley.

Black Panther Legacy Keepers co-founder Amin Cooley on starting anew while building on the old

Michael Combs, Editor
May 19, 2021
A photo of the Santa Rosa Junior College front-lawn sign depicting the schools name.

Board of Trustees schedules listening session in response to BLAC’s protest against listening sessions

Michael Combs, Editor
May 16, 2021

Photo gallery: BlackOut

Nick Vides, Michael Combs, and Audrey Fry
May 6, 2021
A photo of a person carrying a sign that says Defund the police. Behind them is a group of people holding up a Black Lives Matter flag.

BLAC, BSU and Black students and faculty to stage “BlackOut” walkout May 5

Michael Combs, Editor
May 4, 2021
A photo of a Gyro Lebni from King Falafel.

Review: King Falafel

Michael Combs, Editor
April 21, 2021
A black and white photo illustration depicting an online conference.

Students and faculty react to SRJC remaining mostly online through 2021

Michael Combs, Editor
April 12, 2021
A slide from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges 2021 spring awards ceremony in which The Oak Leaf won the Online General Excellence award.

The Oak Leaf wins 16 awards for 2020 work

James Domizio, Editor-in-Chief
April 2, 2021
Poster for Legacy of the Blues panel sponsored by the Black Students Union.

Sage wisdom from a lifetime of blues

Michael Combs and Jessica Johnson
March 17, 2021
Construction underway at SRJC includes new

Board of Trustees approves transition toward in-person athletics, denounces anti-Asian violence and updates land acknowledgement

Jennifer Sawhney, Reporter
March 17, 2021
A poster for the three part Black Lives More Than Matter! workshop by Dr. Abdimalik Buul.

Black lives more than matter: Viewing the SRJC vision statement through an anti-racist lens

Michael Combs, Editor
March 17, 2021
An image of SRJCs Luther Burbank Auditorium, home to SRJCs theatre programs.

Summer Repertory Theatre 2021 season canceled

Jessica Johnson, Reporter
March 14, 2021
Santa Rosa Junior College opened two vaccination clinics last week. The SRJC clinic is for students only, while the Petaluma clinic is open to the public by appointment.

Board of Trustees announces new vaccination sites and emergency funding for students 

Michael Combs and Jennifer Sawhney
February 17, 2021
Dr. Abdimalik Buul spoke Feb. 5 over Zoom about the types of racism, how to be an agent of change and how racism affects us all.

Black lives more than matter: Being an agent of change against structural racism

Michael Combs, Editor
February 11, 2021
All U.S. citizens should be able to pass the naturalization test that is required for immigrants to obtain citizenship.

Opinion: I don’t want ignorant people making decisions that affect my life

Michael Combs, Editor
February 9, 2021
Joseph Sapp considers fall 2020 to be his most rewarding semester yet despite the move to online education.

The downward spiral of the screen: Online education and motivation quagmire

Michael Combs, Staff Writer
December 31, 2020

Pomo Canyon Trail: A Sonoma County scenic sampler

Michael Combs, Staff Writer
December 6, 2020
Students acted from their homes with Zoom during the shooting of Its a Wonderful Life. SRJC Theater Arts used digital magic to create the scenes and cohesive backgrounds.

SRJC Theatre Arts presents “It’s a Wonderful Life,” its first online musical ever

Michael Combs and Peyton Krzyzek
November 26, 2020

Experienced backpacker reviews popular sleeping bag styles

Michael Combs, Staff Writer
November 19, 2020
Sonoma County’s Measure P promises to expand civilian oversight of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to increase transparency, accountability and public trust in local law enforcement during a time of increased skepticism among the county’s minorities and young residents.

Measure P: Increasing transparency and accountability over the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office

Michael Combs, Staff Writer
October 27, 2020
Proposition 16: Reinstating affirmative action

Proposition 16: Reinstating affirmative action

Maritza Camacho, Staff Writer
October 26, 2020
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