Being a college student right now can be overwhelming, especially when the world keeps shifting under your feet. Back-to-school is anything but ordinary. In addition to books, students are carrying the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. Covid-19 has brought this vulnerable population into renewed focus highlighting inequalities that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including access to free medical and mental health services.

Cerro Coso Community College now offers 24/7 FREE medical and mental telehealth for students through Timely Care. With Timely Care, students can talk to a licensed provider from their smartphone or any web-enabled device, anywhere in the United States day or night, for FREE! The virtual clinic was created with a dual mission of addressing service gaps while reducing face-to-face clinical interactions and providing students with experience in caring for their medical and mental health needs during these unprecedented times. “Students have many responsibilities both inside and outside of school and it is incredibly important that they take care of themselves. We want everyone to know that the college offers these services and encourage all students to sign-up. Even if someone feels like they have everything under control, it is always helpful to have extra support,” said Counseling Director Christine Small. “Taking care of medical and mental health is important to everyone’s success.”

Students at all stages of their education are now experiencing remote teaching and learning. First-generation students and those from underserved backgrounds face further disadvantages with difficulties navigating education opportunities. Timely Care is just one of many resources now available to Cerro Coso students. “Students are our priority,” said Vice President of Student Services. “We are trying to strike a balance in students continuing to progress toward their educational goals while maintaining a safe and stable environment. We have expanded resources substantially to support our students, recognizing the many challenges they are facing. We highly encourage students to connect with us. From Counseling and ACCESS assisting with education plans to financial aid support, laptop loans, food resources, childcare, and access to free medical and mental health care, the college is here for them.”

Students can go to timelycare.com/CoyoteTelehealth to register with their school email address and receive services like: Medical 24/7, on-demand or scheduled access to a medical provider that can treat a wide range of common illnesses like cold and flu, sinus infection, allergies, and more; TalkNow 24/7, on-demand access to a mental health professional to talk about anything at any time; Scheduled Counseling – scheduled appointments to meet with a licensed counselor; and Group Sessions, weekly guided meditation and yoga group sessions, plus specialized sessions throughout the year. 

A smart approach to health now can easily pay much larger dividends later.

Timely Care. It’s for students. For FREE.


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Cerro Coso Community College’s Business Office Technology program provides a framework of business technology knowledge and skills that can adapt to any company’s operation. The program prepares students for employment in challenging positions as administrative assistants and office managers through courses in communication, industry-standard computer applications, business, and bookkeeping to meet the needs of the technologically dynamic office.

The college is offering several 8-week late-start classes this fall in Computer Literacy (BSOT C075), Microsoft PowerPoint (BSOT C127), Microsoft Outlook (BSOT C129), Intermediate Computer Keyboarding (BSOT C132), Beginning Adobe Acrobat (BSOT C135), Intermediate Excel (BSOT C153), Advanced Word (BSOT C161), and Advanced Access (BSOT C165). All are online classes for your convenience.

Career opportunities for students mastering these classes include Office Assistant, Bookkeeper, Data Entry Operator, Filing Clerk, Office Clerk, Administrative Assistant, Receptionist, Front Office Professional, Payroll Clerk, Accounts Receivable Clerk, and Accounts Payable Clerk. Cerro Coso offers an Associate of Science in Business Office Technology, Business Office Technology Certificate, Administrative Office Assistant Certificate, and an Office Clerk Certificate.

The job outlook for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants is expecting 324,300 openings each year, on average, over the decade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the median annual wage was $40,990 in May of 2020.

Train to become a Business Office Technology Professional at Cerro Coso this fall. A complete listing of late start classes is available on the web at www.cerrocoso.edu. Cerro Coso Community College – Your Hometown College.


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Cerro Coso Community College is offering a number of late start classes this Fall.

In addition to taking late start classes to pursue a degree, students can also opt to take late start classes for professional development, and personal enrichment.

Late start classes are offered in a variety of formats including completely online, hybrid, schedule Zoom, or on campus.

With a variety of start dates, the college is offering an array of classes in Administration of Justice, Anthropology, Business Office Technology, Child Development, English, Health Careers, Information Technology, Spanish, and so much more.

A complete listing of late start classes is available on the college website at www.cerrocoso.edu/class-schedule.

Do something for yourself this fall and register for late start classes at Cerro Coso Community College.

More information available on the web at www.cerrocoso.edu. Contact a counselor today.


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Complete two one-day courses in one weekend and you can advance your career opportunities in private security and receive your guard card.

Cerro Coso is offering two one-day classes back to back at the Ridgecrest campus on October 9 and 10, 2021.

ADMJ C050 Powers to Arrest & Weapons of Mass Destruction will meet with Dr. Bowen on Saturday, October 9th from 8 am to 5 pm The course familiarizes and instructs individuals on the training topics delineated at Business and Professions Code section 7583.7, including legal aspects, techniques, liability, and company requirements relating to the arrest of an individual. The training utilizes the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Power to Arrest Training Manual. Students also learn the subject matter of observation skills required to identify and report precursor activities to a terrorist event, react appropriately, report the occurrence of a terrorist event and remain safe while helping control the scene after a terrorist event. The training utilizes the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Weapons of Mass Destruction; Terrorism Awareness for Security Professionals, Terrorism Awareness for Security Professionals course consisting of a Digital Video Disk (DVD), and a student workbook.

ADMJ C054 Officer Safety and First Aid/CPR provide the knowledge and skills required to identify potentially hazardous situations including environmental, chemical, biological, and situational dangers. Students also receive instruction on basic first aid and CPR. This class will meet with Dr. Bowen on October 10. Both classes will meet from 8 am to 5 pm in Room 105.

“Since the tragedy of 9/11 private security has been the fastest-growing field in America,” said Professor Dr. Jarrod Bowen. “I have been a certified BSIS instructor since 2009 and I can say with confidence that the increase in salary and professionalism in the field of private security makes this training invaluable to anyone interested in a law enforcement future, private or public. One of the benefits of private security is that the minimum age requirement is 18 while a law enforcement officer in the public sector must be 21. As such, motivated individuals could provide themselves with several years of applicable security training while they await that 21st birthday.”

After completing these two courses students will receive a Security Guard card and can be employed immediately in private security.

The program is authorized by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.

Cerro Coso is offering a number of late start classes this fall in Medical Assisting, Business Office Technology, Child Development, and more. Complete schedule available at www.cerrocoso.edu.

For more information on the program contact Department Chair Peter Fulks at 760-384-6166 or email him at peter.fulks@cerrocoso.edu.


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Cerro Coso Community College (CCCC) announced today that it will require all students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1, 2021, and masks are to be worn at all times in its facilities.

The announcement follows the Kern Community College District’s Board Resolution 2021-01 on August 12th directing the chancellor to take any and all actions necessary to develop and implement a COVID 19 vaccine requirement for District employees, students, and others who access District facilities at any District location. This includes all three colleges: Cerro Coso Community College, Bakersfield College, and Porterville College, and all campus locations.

The District is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning and working environment for students and employees. COVID protocols have previously been established to ensure cooperation with local public health officials to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases. The tools available to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have evolved dramatically, including the development, approval, distribution, and broad availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Research shows that people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 are most at risk of infection, adverse health consequences, and further spreading COVID-19, including the highly transmissible Delta Variant, to friends, family, colleagues, and the community at large. Research also shows that the overwhelming majority of serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and death resulting from COVID-19, including the Delta Variant, are among the unvaccinated. “It is just the right thing to do,” said Board Trustee Nan Gomez-Heitzeberg following the vote.

Consistent with recommendations and directives from the State of California and the federal government, the vaccine requirement will be phased in over time to allow employees and students to comply with the resolution and to address potential exemptions as allowed for in the resolution. “It will allow us to continue to phase in our safe return to our campuses,” stated President Hancock in an email to employees and students.

The Vaccine Requirement will be developed consistent with applicable legal requirements, including exceptions for medical conditions and sincerely held religious beliefs. Students not taking any face-to-face courses or accessing in-person student services, do not need to provide proof of vaccination.

Incorporating this direction from the KCCD Board, the College’s COVID-19 team will be publishing an updated version of the Cerro Coso Safe Reopening Protocols this week, with the intention of providing further guidance on workplace and classroom protocols for the Fall 2021 semester. In addition, they will provide ongoing updates as more details are made available.

Fall semester classes at Cerro Coso begin Monday, August 23. Classes are offered in a variety of formats for students to choose from including Online and Scheduled Zoom, in addition to an increased number of classes being offered in-person on campus.

As an added safety measure, the College is requiring employees, students, and visitors to wear approved face coverings regardless of vaccination status when entering any Cerro Coso campus.

“It is through the addition of these safety protocols that we are able to continue our much-anticipated return to face-to-face instruction and student support services,” concluded President Hancock.

Cerro Coso is hosting a Vaccination Clinic this week on Thursday, August 19th from 3-7 p.m. in West Wing 145A. The clinic is open to all unvaccinated employees, students, and the public.

Read the full resolution and an associated Kern Community College District Q&A For the Vaccine Mandate.

For more information on the benefits, safety, and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the CDC's Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine.


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Cerro Coso Bookstore Open for Business

The college campus bookstore re-opened on August 16th. Listed below are the hours for the upcoming weeks.

Barnes & Noble Back to School Hours
Monday – Thursday 8/16/21 – 8/26/21
9:30am – 5:30pm

Extended Hours for CC Rocks
Thursday 8/19/21
9:30am – 1:00pm and 3:00pm – 7:30pm

Regular hours resume Monday 8/30/21
Monday – Thursday 11:00am – 3:00pm


View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital is partnering with Cerro Coso Community College to host a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at the College on Thursday,  August 19, 2021, from 3 to 7 p.m. in Room 145A of the West Wing.

The recent effort to vaccinate as many students and community members before the start of the fall semester comes on the heels of a recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases locally.  

The college has hosted several vaccine pop-up clinics over the summer and will continue to partner with the Hospital to find ways to increase access to the vaccines.  

The August 19th Vaccination Clinic is open to the public and will take place during the Cerro Coso Rocks Welcome Back to Campus event.  

The College asks everyone to wear a mask inside any college buildings regardless of vaccination status.

Cerro Coso strongly encourages all members of the community to receive the vaccine to help stop the spread of the virus.  The combination of the COVID-19 vaccination and following the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines offers the best protection from COVID-19 and the Delta Variant. 

For more information on Cerro Coso’s Safe Reopening Protocols in response to the COVID-19 virus, or to learn more about available resources, visit https://www.cerrocoso.edu/campus-safety/covid-19/covid-19-resources 


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Technology touches every aspect of our lives today. From downloading music, playing games, banking, to communication, and driving a vehicle….technology drives it all. As information technology continues its rapid change, businesses and organizations need professionals with the right skills and training to help them meet their needs and lead technology initiatives.

Whether you're just starting out in the IT field, or ready to advance your career, Cerro Coso’s IT programs of study can help you gain the expertise you need to succeed. Programs that meet all levels of experience. The college offers an AS in Information Technology, Information Technology Certificate, Data Analyst I Certificate (Pathway to Completion), and an Information Technology Plus Certificate. 

This summer, Cerro Coso is offering a highly valuable course online for those interested in pursuing careers in the business technology field.

IT C101 – Introduction to Computer Information Systems is being offered online with Professor Valerie Karnes. This 12-week course begins May 17 and ends August 16. Professor Matt Hightower will offer an 8-week course that begins June 7 and ends July 30, 2021. The course concentrates on information systems and their role in business. The focus is on information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems hardware, and software components. Students develop computer-based solutions to business problems and the course satisfies the certificate/degree requirements for a variety of programs including Cloud Computing, Linux Operating Systems, Entrepreneurship, Business, Information Technology, Management, Web Fundamentals, and Web Professional!

Cerro Coso Community College is offering a variety of classes in 8, 10, and 12-week formats online this summer. Now registering for summer and fall 2021 classes. Complete registration and course information is available on the web at www.cerrocoso.edu or contact the local Cerro Coso Counseling Department today.

Explore something new at Cerro Coso Community College.


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