What if recovery isn’t just about rebuilding—but reimagining? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations at Pasadena City College’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, to discuss how community colleges can become anchors in times of crisis. As LA County recovers from devastating wildfires, they explore how PCC activated everything from FEMA partnerships to workforce training programs to meet immediate needs. They also cover how PCC is preparing for the long game. Salvatrice and Leslie break down what it means to respond with both heart and strategy. It’s not just about restoring what was lost, it’s about building a more resilient, future-ready region.

You’ll learn:

• How Pasadena City College mobilized resources within days to support displaced students, families, and businesses

• What the PCC for DINA initiative is doing to bridge the gap between short-term recovery and long-term workforce transformation

• Why small business support is central to economic recovery, and how PCC’s SBDC and Women’s Business Center served over 1,000 businesses in weeks

• Which high-demand industries (think: skilled trades, construction, hazmat, and more) are seeing a surging need, and how community colleges can train for them

• Why flexibility, partnerships, and creative solutions are the future of disaster response and regional resilience

 

Engage with us:

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Visit: PCC EWD website

 

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

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Find the transcript of this episode here

 

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