Student Activities and Organizations

Office of Student Life

Room CC105
Located in the Campus Center, the Office of Student Life (OSL) supports the college’s mission by facilitating and encouraging student learning and success beyond the classroom. The OSL provides the resources necessary to develop, enhance, and support student engagement at Pasadena City College. The Office of Student Life is committed to facilitating the development of the whole student through the core tenets of inclusion, engagement, service, social justice, holistic learning, and support.

The Office of Student Life offers activities, programs, and services to assist students in achieving a balanced educational experience. The opportunities include participation in student governance; involvement in clubs and student organizations; leadership development activities; cultural awareness and social justice programs; educational events; recreational activities and programs; and other student support services that reinforce student success.

The department endeavors to connect students to human, financial, and other resources, needed to support student development that is focused on active and responsible student self-direction, student self-governance, and engagement. The Office of Student Life intends to provide full-fledged programs and services appropriate to a highly diverse, urban college campus of 30,000 students.

Intercollegiate Athletics

The College offers intercollegiate competition in the following sports:

Sport Men Women
Baseball x
Badminton x
Basketball x x
Cross Country x x
Football x
Soccer x x
Softball x
Swimming x x
Track & Field x x
Volleyball x
Water Polo x

Athletic teams at Pasadena City College are members of the South Coast Conference. Football stands alone as a participant in the Southern California Football Association, competing within the American Division as a member of the Mountain Conference. Both are affiliated with the California Community College Athletic Association.

Student Government

The Associated Studies of Pasadena City College is the representative body for the students of PCC. The Executive Board's responsibility is to represent students, provide oversight for events and operations, and manage the ASPCC budget. ASPCC advocates for students to the PCC administration and local, state, and Federal officials.  It comprises the President, ten Vice Presidents, the Chief Justice, Commissioners, various committees, and the Student Trustee who sit in an advisory capacity.  

Involvement in student government gives students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, enhance cultural awareness, work with others in formal and social situations, enhance interpersonal communications skills, pursue special interests, develop critical thinking skills, and support involvement opportunities for all PCC students. 

Clubs and Organizations

Pasadena City College offers a broad spectrum of involvement opportunities through approximately 65 student clubs and organizations. There are recreational, vocational, political, cultural, religious, educational and service clubs, and other interest groups. Students enrolled at PCC are encouraged to consider membership in the clubs and organizations of their choice. Students may form new organizations to meet special needs or interests. All student organizations must have a faculty advisor and be chartered by the Inter-Club Council, as outlined in Associated Students policies. Information and required forms are available in the Office of Student Life located in the Campus Center, CC105. Students may also find out more information regarding clubs and organizations by visiting https://pasadena.edu/campus-life/student-life/clubs-organizations.php

Commencement

Held in the College’s Robinson Stadium, commencement exercises occur during the last week of the Spring semester. The formal ceremony, followed by a hosted reception, is a special tradition at Pasadena City College. An official diploma cover is presented to each graduate participating in the ceremony. The diploma, certifying that the Associate in Arts or the Associate in Science Degree requirements have been met, is mailed to the graduate as soon as possible after the close of the semester.

Commencement is an impressive tradition. Members of the graduating classes from the Fall, Spring and Summer terms are encouraged to participate in the annual event.

Campus Publications  

The Campus Crier is published regularly during the Fall and Spring semesters, for all students and personnel. The Crier provides timely information on official deadlines, financial aid and scholarship announcements, special events, club meetings, and more.

The College news publication, the Courier, is published daily online on pcccourier.com by students in the Visual Arts and Media Studies. Students who wish to work on the Courier must enroll in the JOUR 007AJOUR 007BJOUR 107AJOUR 107B classes.

Inscape, an anthology of student literary work, publishes meritorious stories, essays and poems each year. Under the direction of the English Department, it is edited by a board of student editors and draws its written and art materials from the entire student body.

Spotlight is a slick feature magazine published each year by students in the magazine and small publications class. Students must sign up for JOUR 005 to work as writers or editors on Spotlight.

Cardinal and Gold Student Leadership Program

Cardinal and Gold Leadership (C&G) believes that everyone can be a leader! This leadership development program seeks to develop the leader in you through hands-on workshops and activities where participants can gain first-hand knowledge, skills, and experience in leadership. C&G participants serve as the primary facilitators at local and regional leadership retreats and staff the Lancer Leaders Program. For more information contact Carrie Afuso, cmafuso@pasadena.edu.

Performing Arts

Room CA119, (626) 585-7216
The Center for the Arts at Pasadena City College presents more than 100 public events and performances each year in music, theater, dance, and speech/forensics to enrich our community and showcase the work of PCC students, faculty, and guest artists.

Music

The music department at Pasadena City College offers a wide variety of instrumental and vocal performance ensembles including marching and concert bands, the Tournament of Roses Honor Band, symphony orchestra, choral groups, opera and musical theater workshops, jazz ensembles, jazz combos and chamber ensembles. Under the imaginative leadership of prominent directors, these ensembles have created a reputation for musical excellence. Students perform in a range of concerts, competitions, showcases, and televised events, including the annual Tournament of Roses parade. A range of courses are open to beginning, intermediate, and advanced musical performers. The Pamela Girard Artist in Residence program also brings acclaimed musicians to campus for workshops and performances each year.

Theater Arts

The Pasadena City College theater arts department trains the next generation of theater artists and technicians through coursework and participation in all facets of theatrical production.  The annual theater season includes mainstage productions and studio productions of traditional plays, musicals, operas, dance collaborations, and original student works. Students may gain production experience for careers in performance, playwriting, directing, arts management, costuming, stagecraft, lighting, and more. 

Dance

The Pasadena City College dance department provides a comprehensive lower-division education in dance, geared toward the diversity and versatility of our student body. The program offers technique courses in a wide range of genres including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip hop, and social dance. Courses in choreography, improvisation, and dance performance provide opportunities for practice and public performance. Guest artist work with students to create original repertoire for public performances.

Forensics

Forensics, or competitive intercollegiate speech and debate, provides students at Pasadena City College with an opportunity to compete with major colleges and universities at local, state and national tournaments. Students develop speaking, research and critical thinking skills as they participate in individual events and debate. Public showcases of student performances are presented twice a year for public audiences. The program is open to all students with or without prior experience.