The student voice of American River College since 1955

The American River Current
The student voice of American River College since 1955

The American River Current
The student voice of American River College since 1955

The American River Current
Heather Amberson

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief

Heather Amberson is in her ninth semester on the Current. Amberson is currently a Journalism major at American River College and hopes to transfer to a four-year university and become a sports broadcaster and journalist.

All content by Heather Amberson
Class schedules in eServices list classes as asynchronous, with no scheduled meeting times. But when students look at the syllabus for the class it may show different, unexpected requirements. (Photo Illustration by Heather Amberson)

Online class schedules should be clearly defined

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
April 3, 2024
Students at American River College spend a lot of time working on assignments, and connecting to the Wi-Fi on campus can be an important step to get this done. (Photo Illustration by Heather Amberson)

How to connect to the Wi-Fi at ARC

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
October 30, 2023
Since the closure of Davies Hall, classes have been moved all over campus, and not all of them are fit to be classrooms. Some classes are also being moved to multiple classrooms, which makes it hard for students to focus on education. (Photo Illustration by Heather Amberson)

Constant classroom changes disrupt student success

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
October 27, 2023
Davies Hall will close on Sept. 8, and classes normally held there will be moved online until new spaces are found, according to a statement sent to students, staff and faculty. Faculty and staff packing up offices in Davies Hall on Sept. 7. (Photo by Shy Bell)

American River College’s Davies Hall set to close on Sept. 8

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
September 7, 2023
Student elections are being held on eServices through April 26. Voting is available from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

Voting for student elections now open

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chieff
April 26, 2023
Professors need to be prepared for every class they teach, regardless of what time of day the class is. (Photo Illustration by Heather Amberson)

Professors need to be prepared for every class they teach

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
November 29, 2022
Edreece Arghandiwal and the rest of the Oakland Roots team are giving women’s sports the proper funding and recognition that they deserve. (Photo Illustration by Heather Amberson)

Edreece Arghandiwal’s mindset is vital to growing women’s sports

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
November 6, 2022
On Nov. 3, American River College President Melanie Dixon announced that she will be leaving her role as president at the end of the fall 2022 semester. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Dixon)

ARC president Melanie Dixon announces she is leaving position

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
November 3, 2022
On Oct. 20, it was announced in a statement by Brian King, the Los Rios Community College District chancellor, that the Los Rios Board of Trustees voted to end the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The mandate remains in effect for now. (Photo via Pixabay)

Los Rios Board of Trustees votes to end vaccine mandate

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
October 25, 2022
The Technical Education area at American River College is under construction and there is fencing around the area. Demolition has started and the project is scheduled to be done in fall 2024. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

Technical Education area at ARC is under construction

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
October 4, 2022
On Aug. 29, multiple cars caught on fire in the parking garage at American River College. There are no reported injuries and the parking garage was temporarily closed for cleanup, according to Scott Crow, ARC’s public information officer. (Photo courtesy of Brenda Baker)

Multiple cars catch fire in American River College parking garage

Heather Amberson, Editor-in-Chief
August 30, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic is going into year three, and many students and faculty have been learning and teaching remotely the whole time. This has led some to feel the effects of burnout. (Photo Illustration by Heather Amberson)

Burnout makes learning feel impossible

Heather Amberson, Editor-In-Chief
May 17, 2022
In 2022 K-12 schools in California have access to free COVID-19 rapid tests. Students and staff at higher education institutions should have the same access to rapid tests. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

Higher education institutions should receive COVID-19 rapid tests

Heather Amberson, Editor-In-Chief
April 26, 2022
American River College President Melanie Dixon and Brian King, the Los Rios Community College District chancellor, speak to members of the media during a press conference on the ARC campus on March 16, 2022. The conference was in relation to the racist threats made against Dixon. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

Former student who threatened ARC President Melanie Dixon arrested and later released

Heather Amberson, Editor-In-Chief
March 20, 2022
American River College President Melanie Dixon received racist threats from a former Los Rios Community College District student, according to an email sent on March 10, 2022 by Brian King, the LRCCD chancellor. The district has filed a temporary restraining order and increased security at ARC and for Dixon. (Photo via Pixabay)

ARC President Melanie Dixon receives racist threats from former student

Heather Amberson, Editor-In-Chief
March 10, 2022
On Feb. 15, 2022, the Los Rios Community College District announced that all classes originally scheduled for on-ground will return to campus on Feb. 22, 2022. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

LRCCD announces return to campuses after starting semester online

Heather Amberson, Editor-In-Chief
February 17, 2022
On Jan. 26, members of the American River College community met in front of the ARC campus to protest against the Los Rios Community College District's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. (Photo by Alyssa Branum)

Members of the ARC community protest against district’s vaccine mandate

Heather Amberson, Lorraine Barron, and Alyssa Branum
February 1, 2022
According to an announcement by the Los Rios Community College District, because of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, some classes will be switched to an online format until Feb. 22. Other “difficult-to-convert” classes will return on ground on Jan. 31. (Photo by Oden Taylor)

Rise in COVID-19 cases causes spring 2022 semester to begin online

Heather Amberson, Editor-In-Chief
January 23, 2022
Emily Cowan, an American River College language studies major and tennis player protests, among other students, against the Los Rios Community College District COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Sept. 30, 2021. (Photo by Lorraine Barron)

LRCCD students and faculty protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Heather Amberson and Lorraine Barron
October 17, 2021
On Oct. 1, the vaccine requirement from the Los Rios Community College District was put in place. Some members of the American River College community disagree with the decision to require a vaccine and have held anti-mandate protests. (Photo by Lorraine Barron)

Members of the ARC community speak out as the LRCCD’s vaccine mandate takes effect

Heather Amberson and Lorraine Barron
October 17, 2021
American River College will host an on-campus vaccination clinic on Sept. 14 in the Student Center Community Rooms from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., facilitated by Walgreens. (Photo via Unsplash)

ARC to host vaccination clinic on Sept. 14

Heather Amberson, Editor-In-Chief
September 13, 2021
It was revealed during the Los Rios fall 2021 convocation that LRCCD Chancellor Brian King has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing severe symptoms, despite being fully vaccinated. King is currently recovering at home and getting better each day. (File Photo)

LRCCD Chancellor Brian King tests positive for COVID-19

Heather Amberson, Editor-In-Chief
August 28, 2021
New American River College President Melanie Dixon inherited the position during a difficult time, but says she is excited to get started, and ready to bring the college community back together soon. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Dixon)

New president Melanie Dixon excited to lead the ARC community

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
May 15, 2021
Students browse the booths near the Student Center on Welcome Day at American River College on Sept. 13, 2018. In an email sent by LRCCD Chancellor Brian King on May 3, the LRCCD plans to have a full return to campuses in spring 2022. (File Photo)

LRCCD plans for full return to campuses in spring 2022

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
May 13, 2021
Heather Moody, coach of American River College's women's water polo team, has Olympic experience, both as a player and as a coach. (Photo Courtesy of Heather Moody)

Heather Moody brings Olympic experience to the ARC women’s water polo team

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
April 23, 2021
Former Oakland Athletics player and American River College alumnus, Dallas Braden speaks to attendees of the Los Rios Foundation Honors and Awards Gala at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento on Oct. 23, 2015. Braden was a guest at the gala where he was one of four alumni honored by the foundation on the occasion of the Los Rios district's 50th anniversary. (File Photo).

10 professional athletes who once attended ARC

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
April 11, 2021
Unpaid internships need to be a thing of the past. They usually only work for people who are well off or have parents to help with finances, which limits the talent available. (Photo via Freepik)

Unpaid internships exploit people who hope for a better life

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
March 25, 2021
The Beaver Food Pantry is distributing food and toiletries on the ARC campus on March 22. There will also be two more distributions on April 26 and May 24. (Photo via the ARC Beaver Food Pantry Instagram)

Beaver Food Pantry schedules three distributions for spring semester

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
March 19, 2021
In recent years, there has been an increase of women in ownership roles with professional sports teams. This is important, because it creates diversity and shows young girls and women that anything is possible. (Photo illustration by Heather Amberson)

Women’s ownership in sports is vital to growing the game

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
March 17, 2021
Students gather on club day prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall semster of 2019 at American River College. ARC and other Los Rios Community College District schools have seen a significant decrease in student enrollment from the spring 2021 semester to the spring semester of 2022, due to complications from the pandemic. (File Photo)

Fall 2021 semester to be a hybrid format

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
March 1, 2021
California has approved a $600 or more stimulus for eligible residents. Californians who make $30,000 a year or less, undocumented workers, CalWORKS recipients, people who are blind, people over 65 and people who are disabled are eligible. (Photo via Pixabay)

California approves $600 or more stimulus for eligible residents

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
March 1, 2021
Students travel to classes between Davies Hall and the portable village on Sept. 5, 2019. There is a chance that there can be a return to campus for the fall 2021 semester. Student and faculty listening sessions and reopening reports are among the steps that will determine a possible reopening. (File Photo)

Fall semester reopening still uncertain

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
February 16, 2021
Former American River College student, Jorge Riley, was arrested after admitting on video that he was involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol. (Photo courtesy of CBS)

Former ARC student, Jorge Riley, arrested after storming capitol

Heather Amberson, Managing Editor
January 29, 2021
Unexpected issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic can pop up at any time, and having an excused withdrawal can help students who experience unexpected issues during the semester. (Photo Illustration by Heather Amberson)

An excused withdrawal option would help lower student stress during the pandemic

Heather Amberson, Arts&Culture/Sports Co-Editor
December 14, 2020
ARC professor Tracy Shearer directs plays and musicals, teaches multiple classes at multiple schools and performance studios, and even helped raise money to save the Fair Oaks Bluffs. (Photo Courtesy of Tracy Shearer)

ARC theater professor brings passion and hard work to everything she does

Heather Amberson, Arts&Culture/Sports Co-Editor
December 10, 2020
ARC’s Pride Center continues to offer support to students, now virtually, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of the ARC Pride Center’s Instagram)

ARC’s campus Pride Center closed, but continues virtually

Heather Amberson, Arts&Culture/Sports Co-Editor
December 6, 2020
Since the campus shut down in March, Aramark has laid off 35 students. (Photo illustration by Emily Mello)

Aramark reduces student workforce due to campus closures

Emily Mello and Heather Amberson
November 17, 2020
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” was released in 1966 and is a movie that the whole family can enjoy. (Photo courtesy of Lee Mendelson Film Productions)

5 family friendly Halloween movies to watch this October

Heather Amberson, Arts & Culture/Sports Co-Editor
October 21, 2020
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many college students say they feel overwhelmed, which has led some to take a gap year. (Photo Illustration by Heather Amberson)

COVID-19 pandemic pushed some students to opt for a gap year

Heather Amberson, Staff Writer
October 19, 2020
While live on “Good Day Sacramento,” Tina Macuha and cameraman Dave Grashoff drove to Los Angeles, where they went behind the scenes on “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal.” (Photo courtesy of Dave Grashoff)

Tina Macuha’s energy makes every day a good day

Heather Amberson, Arts/ Culture and Sports Co-Editor
October 7, 2020
Members of the American River College men’s basketball team huddle up during the game against San Joaquin Delta College on February 11, 2020. The team is now working out on their own, after practices and games have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

How ARC’s men’s basketball team is staying in shape during quarantine

Heather Amberson, Arts & Culture/ Sports Co-Editor
September 12, 2020
The Los Rios Colleges Foundation continues to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund. So far, the fund has raised over $200,000.n (Photo Courtesy by Pixabay)

COVID-19 relief fund still available for students in need

Heather Amberson and
September 3, 2020
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center and the Gender Health Center stationed themselves in the Center’s parking lot on 20th and J Street in downtown Sacramento to provide medical supplies for protesters, on June 2, 2020. Volunteers assembled care kits that contained medical supplies, snacks, and water to be distributed for the demonstrators while they marched against police brutality. (Photo by Emily Mello)

Sacramento community joins up to collect donations to help with the fight for change

Heather Amberson, Staff Writer
June 16, 2020
ARC’s funeral services program sent both students and staff to assist with the post-death process in New York. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

ARC’s funeral services program provides assistance in New York

Heather Amberson, Staff Writer
May 16, 2020
In a study done by the Sacramento Bee, Sacramento ranked No. 1 in lowest infection rate out of 50 largest metropolitan areas in the country. (Photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

Sacramento ranked No. 1 in lowest coronavirus infection rate

Heather Amberson, Staff Writer
May 11, 2020
The IRS has sent out more than 80 million stimulus check payments to 'eligible' citizens. Anyone claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return will not be eligible to receive the check. (Photo courtesy of pixabay.com)

IRS sends out more than 80 million stimulus checks to ‘eligible’ citizens

Heather Amberson, Staff Writer
April 29, 2020
The Los Rios Colleges Foundation will be raising funds for students in need of financial relief, during the shelter-in-place order. The maximum award will be $500 per student. (photo courtesy of Alexander Mills)

Los Rios sets up COVID-19 relief fund for students in need

Heather Amberson, Staff Writer
April 22, 2020
With sporting events canceled or suspended due to coronavirus concerns, multiple sports podcasts such as ESPN Daily are filling the gap during the unknown hiatus. (Photo courtesy of espn.com)

10 sports podcasts to fill the void during sports hiatus

Heather Amberson
March 25, 2020
Mariam Ali, health science major, and former California State University, Sacramento student employee, was laid off from her campus bookstore job on March 13, 2020 with only one days notice. (Photo by Emily Mello)

Coronavirus shutdown leaves student workers questioning

Heather Amberson
March 17, 2020
ARC men’s basketball assistant coach Kenny Thomas talks to ARC forward David O’Looney during the game against San Joaquin Delta on Feb. 11. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

Former NBA player looks to help the next generation

Heather Amberson
March 16, 2020
“Me personally, no. But for people that it is the biggest threat for, yes. I’m not worried because I’m pretty confident in my immune system. I’ve always washed my hands, but now I put more attention into the time that I’m doing it.” - Alfonso Gonzales | Psychology Major

Campus Pulse: Are you worried about the coronavirus?

Heather Amberson
March 10, 2020
American River College pitcher Cassie Ralston, throws a pitch during the game against Diablo Valley College at ARC softball field on March 3, 2020. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

ARC softball team falls short at home against Diablo Valley College

Heather Amberson
March 9, 2020
Dogs from Lend a Heart Lend a Hand Animal-Assisted Therapy were at American River College on Dec. 9, 2019. (File Photo)

Lend a Heart helps students de-stress with therapy dogs

Heather Amberson
February 25, 2020
The Funeral Service Education program displays a coffin outside of the Student Center at American River College on Feb. 20, 2020. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

Photo of the Day : Feb. 20, 2020

Heather Amberson
February 20, 2020
American River Collge women’s basketball team congratulates Jordyn Hilliard after a made basket against San Joaquin Delta College on February 11, 2020. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

ARC women’s basketball loses at home

Heather Amberson
February 18, 2020
American River guard Jair Lang directs the offense in a game against San Joaquin Delta College on February 11, 2020. (Photo by Heather Amberson)

ARC Men’s Basketball team loses at home

Heather Amberson
February 18, 2020
The Weeks of Welcome event runs from Tuesday, Jan. 21, through Friday, Feb. 21. (file photo)

ARC hosts its annual welcome event

Heather Amberson
January 29, 2020
Load More Stories