Imperial Valley College Honors Four Alumni with Hall of Fame Induction

-Editorial

Imperial Valley College (IVC) celebrated a milestone of achievement and legacy on May 2, as four distinguished alumni were formally inducted into its Hall of Fame during a ceremony recognizing their professional success, leadership, and lasting contributions to the Imperial Valley and beyond.

This year’s inductees—Tammy Summers, Karla A. Sigmond, John Cabanilla, and Crispina Calsada—represent a wide spectrum of fields, including biotechnology, education, business leadership, public service, and finance. Though their paths diverged after leaving IVC, each shares a common foundation rooted in the college’s commitment to opportunity, academic growth, and community impact.

The Hall of Fame recognition, now approaching four decades of tradition, continues to serve as one of the college’s most meaningful institutional celebrations, honoring alumni whose achievements reflect the transformative role of higher education in the region. 

Todd Evangelist, executive director of the IVC Foundation, noted that the Hall of Fame program was established in 1984, when the college first began formally recognizing the breadth of its growing alumni network.

“Even then, we already had a lot of graduates of IVC,” Evangelist said, explaining that the program was created to periodically pause and highlight alumni whose accomplishments bring distinction to the college.

“What we want to do is take a moment at least once a year to identify those individuals and share their stories—our ambassadors of the college, our Hall of Famers,” he added. “Today, we have nearly 100 inductees, and around 50,000 alumni out there in the world doing great things.”

Despite brief interruptions over the years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, the tradition has remained a cornerstone of institutional pride, reinforcing the college’s long-term investment in student success.

Tammy Summers, a 1997 graduate, began her academic journey at Imperial Valley College as a first-generation college student before transferring to the University of California, San Diego, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and cell biology. She later completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of Phoenix.

Her professional career spans biotechnology and in vitro diagnostics, and she currently works with Guardant Health, a leading precision oncology company. In 2024, Summers expanded her impact by founding Leadership Learners LLC, a professional development firm focused on empowering individuals through communication skills, leadership training, and personal growth.

In addition to her corporate work, Summers has remained closely connected to her community and alma mater, serving as an instructor at IVC and participating in organizations such as MANA and Soroptimist. Through her company, she also supports children and adults with autism, particularly in the areas of communication and public speaking development.

“I honestly feel like I don’t belong, because I’m very humble,” Summers said upon her induction. “At the same time, with everything that I have gone through, being a first-generation college student here at IVC, then going on to live in San Diego, and through some of the contributions I’ve made in the Valley—working with MANA, Soroptimist, and through my business, Leadership Learners—I feel very honored that this type of work has been seen and recognized.”

Karla A. Sigmond attended Imperial Valley College from 1981 to 1982, later building a long career in K–12 education as a teacher and school principal. Her professional journey has centered on supporting youth development and strengthening family systems within the community.

Sigmond currently serves on the Imperial Valley College Board of Trustees and is chair of the First 5 Imperial County Commission, where she focuses on early childhood development and family support initiatives. She has also worked extensively as a foster parent resource advocate, helping strengthen systems of care for vulnerable children.

“I’m very honored and grateful to be chosen,” Sigmond said. “There are so many other people out there in the community that deserve the same honor.”

Her induction reflects decades of service in education and public leadership, reinforcing the essential role educators play in shaping future generations.

John Cabanilla, a 1997 IVC graduate, earned his associate degree in social science before transferring to Oakland City University to complete his bachelor’s degree. A former student-athlete, he distinguished himself as a two-time first-team all-conference basketball player during his time at Imperial Valley College.

Following his academic and athletic career, Cabanilla pursued graduate studies, earning a teaching credential and a master’s degree in educational leadership. He has since dedicated more than 25 years to teaching middle school social studies in the Imperial Unified School District.

Beyond the classroom, Cabanilla has served as a coach and mentor, guiding countless students through academics, athletics, and personal development. His long-standing commitment to youth education highlights the lasting influence of IVC alumni within local schools and communities.

Crispina Calsada, a 1989 graduate, represents the global reach of Imperial Valley College alumni. After beginning her academic career at IVC, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from San Diego State University and an MBA from the University of Southern California.

Calsada has held executive leadership roles in the biopharmaceutical and technology industries across the United States and Europe. As chief financial officer of Regulus Therapeutics, she played a key role in guiding the company through its acquisition by Novartis, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms.

In addition to her corporate achievements, Calsada remains committed to mentorship and philanthropy, supporting student programs and contributing to initiatives that benefit IVC students and educational advancement.

Imperial Community College District Superintendent/President Dr. Lennor M. Johnson described the Hall of Fame ceremony as a rare and meaningful opportunity for reflection within the fast-paced environment of higher education.

“The beautiful thing about the Hall of Fame event is, you know, as academics and administrative, faculty and staff, we’re in the trenches,” Johnson said. “We’re just trying to grind everything out so our current students are successful.”

He emphasized that the college’s mission extends beyond academic instruction, focusing instead on long-term transformation and community impact.

“We strive for excellence, but it’s not only the excellence that we’re striving for. We want to make sure that the excellence that we impart in our students translates into impact in the community,” Johnson said. “We want our students to pay it forward.”

Johnson also credited the Imperial Valley College Foundation for helping eliminate barriers that might otherwise prevent students from achieving their goals, noting that many Hall of Fame inductees attribute their success to the encouragement of faculty and staff.

“When I read those nominations… I just get, wow, the work they have done, the impact they have had,” he said. “Many of those folks basically credit IVC faculty and staff that inspired them, that motivated them, that made them want to be a better person and to give back.”

Ultimately, Johnson said, the Hall of Fame serves as a reminder of education’s long-term impact.

“That’s the power of education,” he said. “We get the chance to step out of the day-to-day operation and recognize those champions—those seeds we planted 20, 30, 40 years ago—and see all the fruits that it has yielded.”