FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 4, 2025
Barstow, Calif – Aug. 4, 2025 – Barstow Community College (BCC) is proud to announce the appointment of Juan Rivera as the new Executive Director for Vibrant Villages, a three-year $600,000 community-driven health improvement initiative in Barstow. Mr. Rivera will lead efforts to improve health and wellness by working alongside Barstow residents to identify and act on the most critical health priorities for students and all community members.
The Vibrant Villages initiative was created by an investment of the Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation (IEHPF) to BCC to address significant health challenges in Barstow. According to recent data, 22.5% of Barstow residents live below the poverty line (American Community Survey, 2018-2022), 39.8% of adults are obese (CDC Places 2021), 34.8% have high blood pressure (CDC Places 2021), and 14.4% have diabetes (CDC Places 2021). The program will focus on creating solutions rooted in community voice to improve health outcomes and ensure better access to resources that support overall wellness.
“At Barstow Community College, we believe true student success is about more than academics,” said Dr. Eva Bagg, Superintendent-President, Barstow Community College. “We are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our students and community. We are thrilled to welcome Juan as our new Executive Director for Vibrant Villages. His leadership and expertise will help us create meaningful, lasting changes that strengthen the wellness of our region for generations to come.”
Mr. Rivera brings over 30 years of leadership experience across government, education, and nonprofit sectors. He serves as Vice President of the U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard Association and has been a trustee of the Board of the Barstow College Foundation since 2021. Juan is a certified Community Impact Specialist and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (CGRC) professional, holding additional certifications in nonprofit management, fundraising, and financial oversight.
“I am honored to join Vibrant Villages and work with the Barstow community to build programs that reflect local strengths, address real needs, and create healthier futures for all residents,” said Juan Rivera, Executive Director of Vibrant Villages. “This work is
personal to me, and I look forward to partnering with residents, leaders, and organizations to make a real difference.”
Throughout the project, ongoing community feedback and data collection will shape goals and strategies. Focus areas under initial consideration include improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, strengthening mental health, expanding access to food and housing, and supporting economic opportunities through education and job training.
The Vibrant Villages initiative builds on Barstow Community College’s long-standing commitment to student and community wellness. Already a nationally recognized leader in mental health programming through the 2022 Active Minds Healthy Campus Award, BCC continues to expand and establish long-term programs focused on supporting basic needs and overall wellness.
Through a series of community listening sessions conducted by IEHP Foundation, the college was consistently mentioned as a trusted partner to help lead the effort to improve health outcomes across the region.
“This is a crucial moment for Barstow to invest in regional health, given the influx of new opportunities, investments and growth,” said IEHP Foundation community engagement specialist Edgar Arreola. "The time is now to help shape a healthier Barstow with community at the center," said Arreola. "We believe Juan is that essential piece to bring the community together and help create a healthier future for all residents."
Programs like Vibrant Villages meet people where they are and respond to what communities say they need most. By engaging directly with residents and creating meaningful solutions together, we can build a stronger, healthier Barstow,” said Dr. Bagg.
About Barstow Community College
Barstow Community College (BCC) is a two-year public college in California’s high desert that serves students from Barstow and surrounding communities, including Lenwood, Newberry Springs, Yermo, and Baker. BCC offers programs to help students transfer to four-year universities, train for careers, or improve basic skills in math, reading, and writing. The college also provides workforce training to meet local job needs and supports military personnel and their families through its center at Fort Irwin. Learn more at www.barstow.edu.
About Vibrant Villages
Vibrant Villages is a community-led health initiative focused on addressing the most pressing wellness needs in Barstow. With support from IEHP Foundation and Barstow Community College, the initiative empowers residents to create lasting health solutions rooted in local priorities and strengths.
###
Media Contact:
Amanda Simpson
Barstow Community College
2700 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311
Phone: (760) 252-6727
