Athletics

Annika is currently a Cerro Coso student who is an Art History and Studio Arts major and will graduate with both transfer degrees this May 2023. Annika is part of the Cerro Coso Promise program and is proactive in school activities. Annika is a determined student who always has a smile on her face! We had the opportunity to catch up with Annika to ask her about her time being a college student at Cerro Coso and what her future holds.

What is your major? Why?

“I am an Art History and Studio Arts major; I will graduate with both transfer degrees. I have always loved art, studying it, and producing it. I enjoy most subjects, I’m even tutoring Biology this semester, but art is the subject that I don’t get tired of. I love making art and trying new ways to make art, and art history fascinates me.”

What are your educational plans/goals after Cerro Coso?

“I am planning to transfer in the fall to a four-year university. I’ve applied to several schools in California, and right now I’ve got my eye on UC Berkeley and I’m crossing my fingers. As far as long-term goals go, I can’t say for sure what I’ll get up to. Overall, I’m just excited to see what transferring will look like.”

What are your career goals/plans?

“I don’t have any specific goals, so I’m waiting to see what opportunities arise in the next couple of years and I hope to enjoy figuring out where I fit. I’ve thought about lots of things, and most recently I’ve considered pursuing a career working in an art museum. But again, it’s all up in the air.”

Whom would you like to give a shoutout to at Cerro Coso?

“I’ve been taking classes at Cerro Coso since I was a freshman at Burroughs High School so there are many people whom I cannot thank enough for what they have done and continue to do at the college for me and other students. Tanner McGuire is the instructor for all my other on-campus art classes. Art in the academic environment is tricky without the right instructors. I am lucky to have lots of opportunities for artistic experimentation.

I also have to mention, of course, Chad Houck, the Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, because without his help I’m not sure I would have fully realized the opportunities Cerro Coso has for all students and gotten the early start in my college career that I did.”

What resource at Cerro Coso was the most helpful/useful to you?

“I don’t think most students realize how many resources the college has. From the library to the counselors to the team in the Outreach office, I’ve never felt abandoned as a student. There’s always someone to reach out to for help.

I think the library and its resources have been a huge help to me as a student. Counseling was a big help in preparing to graduate and getting my classes and plan squared away. The workshops held for transferring were also super helpful for me when I was applying to schools.”

What words of wisdom do you have for future and current Cerro Coso students?

“For future students, get started as soon as you can. Taking classes at Cerro Coso while in high school was so helpful in terms of getting a head start, saving money, and becoming a more confident student. Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge supporter of dual and concurrent enrollment, and I hope more students take advantage of the opportunities they have at their local community college.

In my experience, going the extra mile to take advantage of opportunities and make connections with instructors and faculty always pays off. So many people here are willing to help and drop their own pearls of wisdom. College is always more fun when you can engage in a class or with a professor. At least that’s what I’ve found.”

Thank you for sharing your story, Annika! Good luck with your future endeavors!

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

For the second straight season, Coach Dugan has led the Coyotes to the Men's Basketball Southern California Men's Regional tournament. The top 24 teams in Southern California open postseason play this week, leading to the final 2 top teams from the South facing off with the final 2 top teams from Northern California in the state championship.

Cerro Coso Community College (17-11) will travel to Pasadena College (20-8) on Wednesday, February 22nd for a 7:00 pm tip-off in the opening round of the tournament. The Coyotes have had an impressive run this season and demonstrated consistency on the court with their style of play. Coach Dugan likes how his team matches up against Pasadena, and this group will be leaning on the experience gained from last season's playoff bid in preparation for Wednesday.

Good luck to our Coso Mens Basketball Team!

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

This past week has been a BLAST at the IWV Cerro Coso campus celebrating “I’m Going to College Day” with the local 5th graders. This day provides opportunities for 5th graders to learn about the educational options available to them at Cerro Coso. They experience college in a playful, collaborative, and creative way that inspires them to pursue higher education. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible!

Throughout the day 5th graders toured the Ridgecrest campus, interacted with college students, took interesting and fun classes taught by college professors, did a Q&A with Cerro Coso student ambassadors, and participated in the game “Are You Smarter Than A 5^th Grader?” Many of these 5th graders had never been to a college campus before.

The experience is one they will never forget and stresses the importance of going to college long before they are ready to go. "You have BRAINS in your HEAD. You have FEET in your SHOES. You can STEER yourself any DIRECTION you CHOOSE." – Dr. Seuss

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

The traditional 16-week semester is underway, but we know that with busy schedules you could use some additional choices. Please know that Cerro Coso is offering a number of late start classes beginning in February and running a variety of lengths.

It is not too late for you to enroll in spring classes!

This table provides a list of late start classes.

OPEN: section is open and class has not started. All classes listed below are OPEN, unless otherwise noted.
CLOSED: section is closed and waitlist is not available.
WAITLIST: section is closed but seats are available on the waitlist.
Restricted: section is closed and/or special approval is needed; contact the department.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

December Student Spotlight on Jocelyn, class of 2023!

Meet an enthusiastic and friendly member of the Cerro Coso Tehachapi campus: Jocelyn! She will graduate in the Spring of 2023 with three degrees: an AA-T in Psychology, an AA in Liberal Arts: Arts and Humanities, and an AA in Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Sciences. She recently applied to a few colleges and hopes to transfer to her #1 choice: California State University, Monterey Bay as a Psychology Major! Jocelyn earns money as a student worker at Cerro Coso, and also volunteers in the Promise Program, a scholarship program at Cerro Coso. Jocelyn has this to say about her Cerro Coso experience:

“When I first started at Cerro Coso in Tehachapi, I tried to work full-time AND go to school, but I couldn’t keep up! I quit working and focused on just studying. Then last year, I felt ready to work again. I heard from my brother, who went to Cal State Chico, about being a student worker. Once I started doing that, it’s worked out really well, because the school is flexible with my class schedule.”

“Cerro Coso allowed me to explore my career options without financial pressure or racking up debt. At first, I wanted to do Early Childhood Education, but after taking some classes, I realized it wasn’t for me. I went on and tried different subjects, but when I took my first Psychology class, it really clicked for me! I realized I still wanted to be in a school environment, but not necessarily teaching.”

"Cerro Coso gives you a good idea of what a university will be like. You know, it’s like baby steps going from high school, then to community college, then on to a state university. CC gives you that time to figure out what you wanna do, and what you want to be, when it’s time for you to move on to university.”

“For me personally, I had to do online school for three years because the pandemic started when I was in the middle of high school. Because I was excelling, I decided to graduate from Tehachapi High School a year early and start at Cerro Coso. CC helped me get used to a college workload of homework and studying. And once school started in-person again, it gave me time to get used to that as well.”

“Because I graduated early from high school, the majority of my friends were still in high school. Luckily, because the class sizes are small at Cerro Coso Tehachapi, it was easy for me to meet people and make great friends in my college classes. It’s really nice and important to have friends who understand the workload and the busy schedule, because we’re all in the same boat as working college students.”

“I’d like to give a shout-out to Karee Hamilton, my counselor, and Heather Bopp for helping me get into the Promise Program. They’ve been very helpful to me and my classmates. I’d also like to show appreciation to my Mom! She’s very understanding and supportive of my education. I’m really hard on myself, and she always assures me that I’m doing the best I can.”

Jocelyn has these words of wisdom for new and current students:

“My main advice is make connections with students and faculty, because when I was in high school, it was drilled into me that college professors don’t care as much. When I started at Cerro Coso, I didn’t ask for help in the beginning, thinking, “I’m an adult and they won’t help me," but it’s not like that at all! It’s such a tight and close community here in Tehachapi, so they really do want you to succeed. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen how professors and staff take the time to help all students succeed.”

“Don’t be shy, ask for help! Know that it’s okay to take your time and explore your options, because that’s what community college is for. It’s trial and error: find what works with your schedule, and what your priorities are. You may pursue a subject that you find you don’t enjoy, and then you’ll take other classes and realize that THIS is what I really want to do! Stay open, and good luck!”

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso nursing students celebrated their completion of the program by participating in a Pinning and Capping Ceremony on the afternoon of Friday, December 9th.

The students lit lamps, recited pledges, and received caps and pins as symbols of their preparedness to serve as compassionate caregivers. Family and friends filled the College Lecture Center to witness the ceremony and support their loved ones as they celebrated the completion of the highly respected and rigorous vocational nursing program at CCCC.

The thirteen nursing students honored were: Shannon Davis, Dezerea Edulag, Natalie Grubbs, Crystal Hardison, Rana Khalifeh, Kylee Koch, Valerie Lucero, Dawnell McKnight, DeAnnaSamantha Mellor, Kyla Mercado, Esteffany Ponce, Sesli Watson, and TaMara Williams.

The capping and pinning ceremony signifies the official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses. It is a proud moment for the students as they are welcomed into the nursing profession.

“You have chosen an honorable profession. One that is demanding both psychologically and physically, and holds a lot of responsibility,” said Cerro Coso President Dr. Sean Hancock. “You may be sitting there thinking – I’m not prepared for what is next. I am here to assure you that you are. I have great confidence in the education you have received here at Cerro Coso,” he said. “I declare, you are well equipped to accept the challenges ahead. Whatever they may be.”

The next step for these students is to take the Nursing Certification Licensing Exam (NCLEX), and upon passage, the graduates will have earned the credential of Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Community College to offer Police Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Academy in Ridgecrest this spring.

If you’re interested in starting a career in law enforcement, Cerro Coso’s Modular P.O.S.T. Academy is an excellent option.

Cerro Coso’s Peace Officer Academy is approved by the California Commission on Peace officer Standards and Training, the academy offers an array of training options to meet the diverse needs of California’s law enforcement community.

Classes are held evenings and weekends for your convenience. Take Modules III and II and apply to be a Police Department Reserve Officer. Complete Module I and you will have completed a full police academy and could be eligible to be hired as a full-time officer.

P.O.S.T. Academy includes, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Administration of Justice, Criminal Law, Evidence, Community-Police Relations, Patrol Procedures, Juvenile Procedures, Defensive Tactics, Firearms, First Aid/CPR, Vehicle Operations Domestic Violence, and more!

The P.O.S.T. Academy Modular Level III will begin in January. Spaces are limited. More information available at www.cerrocoso.edu/academy

To apply, become a Cerro Coso student, register for two courses, and await application packet sent via mail.

For more information contact Academy Director Peter Fulks at peter.fulks@cerrocoso.edu.

Take flight with Cerro Coso this spring. Endless opportunities await.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Higher education resource guide releases the best community colleges for 2023

Inteligent.com a trusted resource for program rankings and higher education planning, has included Cerro Coso Community College to its list of the Best Community Colleges in California in 2023. The research identifies top schools in the state based on tuition costs, the number of credits required to graduate, and the online coursework delivery format.

Intelligent.com implemented a unique methodology that ranks each institution on a scale from 0 to 100 across six categories. The scoring system compares each school to tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students.

Studies show that obtaining a degree increases income substantially, with graduates earning 84% more than those with only high school diplomas or those without a completed GED. The percentage difference in earnings continues to grow with higher learning degrees such as master's, doctoral or professional degrees, with the unemployment rate decreasing to as much as 1.6% for those with a doctorate. To access the complete ranking, please visit www.intelligent.com/best-community-colleges/california/#cerro_coso_community_college

Cerro Coso Community College is one of three colleges in the Kern Community College District. The college is charged with the responsibility of providing educational opportunities for the widely separated desert, mountain, and valley communities within a sweeping 18,000-mile, four-county region of eastern California. Cerro Coso's service area includes a population base of just over 85,000 individuals. The college officially opened in the fall of 1973, and within the year began expanding its service area to include the present region. Cerro Coso, as an institution, has a long history of valuing students as individuals with unique capabilities and needs and a teaching-learning process that motivates students towards excellence.

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides that include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships, and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit www.intelligent.com.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Caption: David Moelter and Frank Ortiz from RIDG Gaming, Jude Siracki, and Sam King earn bragging rights for RAW Media Pros for winning the corporate competition, Nick Wakley owner of RAW Media Pros, and CCCC Foundation Director and Event Chair Derrick Hu

Super Smash Bros. has evolved into an enduring fan favorite—one that has managed the neat trick of appealing to both the casual and hardcore fans—and proved the perfect game for the Cerro Coso Community College Foundation’s second Gaming Tournament held on Saturday, December 10, 2022. This year, the Foundation teamed up with experts RIDG gaming to hose the event. More than 62 players showed up to play in one or more of the individuals, under-ten, or corporate competitions.

The competition was fierce, with players of all ages who play in regular tournaments with esports professionals and with friends daily. Competitive as everyone was, it was all in good sportsmanship, which is important. As the remaining players dwindled, everyone gathered around to watch those who would come out on top.

Today’s top Smash Bros. players can perform feats that would seem impossible to mere mortals. In the end, after an entire day of battles it would be Jude Siracki, Orlando Mielke, and Matthew Raley who would take first, second, and third place respectively in the individuals’ competition. Team Raw Media, Auron Wakely took first place for the 10 and under competition, and RAW Media team of Sam King and Jude Siracki won the prize trophy in the sponsorship competition.

Following the success of the first Gaming Tournament, the CCCC Foundation hopes to hold another tournament in the spring. Moving on to their next event mark your calendars for a Promise Color Fun Run in April at the Ridgecrest Campus.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Community College will be closed for winter recess from Monday, December 19, 2022 through Sunday, January 1, 2023.

Online registration will be available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day through the College website at www.cerrocoso.edu. Try this easy and convenient way to register for classes. The spring schedule of classes is also available online.

Operations at all CCCC sites will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, and staff will be available to assist via email, phone, and scheduled Zoom sessions.

Spring semester classes at the college officially start on January 17, 2023.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.