College to Host Virtual Dual and Concurrent Parent Night

High School students can earn college credits while in high school for free at Cerro Coso Community College! 

The college is hosting a virtual Parent Night to provide more information on the programs for high school students on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 from 6 to 7:30 via Zoom. 

Cerro Coso is committed to providing dual and concurrent enrollment opportunities that embrace a college bound culture throughout its service area. 

Dual and concurrent enrollment benefit students by providing them with both high school and college credit.  This credit, at no cost to the students, can be an excellent way for students to get a head start on a college degree or certificate and can have a positive impact on a student’s participation in higher education.

The programs expand curriculum options for high school students, provide exposure to college expectation and culture, save time earning a college credential, allows students to earn both high school and college credit, increases the likelihood of transition to college after high schools, and enrollment fees are waived for high school students.

In May 6 high school students graduated from Cerro Coso before graduating from high school several weeks later. 

Participants must preregister to attend Parent Night at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/event/dual-and-concurrent-enrollment-attention-parents.

Questions contact outreach@cerrocoso.edu .

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Salvation Army Donation Fuels the Fight for Good

The Salvation Army in Ridgecrest made a very generous donation to the Cerro Coso Hunger Free Campus program to help restock barren shelves.  The donation will directly benefit college students in need.  Dedicated to eliminating food insecurities, the Salvation Army supplied free fresh produce, canned goods, and healthy frozen items providing students with valuable meal supplementation.  It is the college’s belief that no student should have to learn on an empty stomach.  The Hunger Free Campus program was created to address food insecurity for students.  Donations like Salvation Army’s are always welcomed.  Special thanks to the Ridgecrest Salvation Army.  

 

 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Uncover the Unknown in Archaeology Classes at CCCC

For those with a sense of adventure, mystery, and discovery, Cerro Coso Community College is offering archaeology classes via Schedule Zoom this fall.

Part detection, part research, and part treasure hunting, the course covers the basic principles of archaeology, studies ancient civilizations around the world, and practices hands-on archaeological techniques.

ANTH C131 (7858) will meet with Professor Sarah King on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 3:25 p.m. via Zoom.  Fascinated by the study of human remains from the Stone Age to modern day forensics classes, Dr. King has experience researching evidence of violence in skeletal remains. She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz, and a Master’s of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Mexico. She spent 4.5 years in England earning her Ph.D. in Archaeological Science with emphasis in Violence and Warfare in Iron Age England from the University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. Originally from Redding, California, King participated in two memorable archeological digs in Paris and one in Spain.

Professor Alec Griffin will instruct the same class CRN (72859) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 to 2:25 p.m. via Zoom. Not only has Professor Griffin traveled through 38 countries, but he has also had some exciting and terrifying experiences along the way.  The cultures of the world are widely varied and unique and learning to “adapt and overcome”, Griffin’s motto in life, ensure you gain the most from the experiences.  Raised in North California, Griffin attended San Diego State University for his undergrad and Cal State University, East Bay for his Master’s in Anthropology. He also received his teaching credential along the way.

ANTH 131 introduces archaeology as a subfield of anthropology that studies humanity’s prehistory, history, and present through the study of material remains and the archaeological record of human development from our origins to modern times. The course includes a discussion of the nature of scientific inquiry; the history of interdisciplinary nature or archaeological research, dating techniques, methods of survey, excavation, analysis, and interpretation. Students will learn cultural resource management, professional ethics, and selected cultural sequences. 

Scheduled Zoom classes will meet virtually during the same days and times already scheduled so that students can directly interact with the instructor to hear lectures, ask questions, engage in discussions, practice skills, and carry on many of the same classroom activities used in in-person classes, except in a remote environment. Although the Scheduled Zoom class will be supported with an online Canvas shell, students must make time to attend all live Zoom class sessions, as this is when instruction happens in the class.  

If you are not sure that you have the technology resources you need to be successful in a Scheduled Zoom class, please contact studentservices@cerrocoso.edu to see how the college can help you.

Fall 2020 classes at Cerro Coso Community College begin August 24, 2022. Complete registration and course information is available on the web at www.cerrocoso.edu or contact the Counseling Department today at 760-382-6219.

Explore something exciting this fall at Cerro Coso Community College.

 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

College offering courses to assist students in online classes

Distance learning has come a long way over the last 30 years.  For all their benefits, however, online classes also offer some unique challenges compared to traditional, in-person classes.  Without a plan for managing the challenges, performance could suffer.    

Having moved most classes to remote delivery methods for the fall 2020 term, Cerro Coso Community College would like the community to know they offer a 1 unit class in “Becoming a Successful Online Student.” 

Coll C052 (CRN 75652) is being offered August 17 through September 5, 2020 online with Counselor Karee Hamilton. 

Specifically designed to assist students in becoming successful in online courses, the class provides preparation for online course work by focusing on the fundamentals of the online educational environment. 

Topics include email use, online class interactions such as discussion groups, the differences between online and onsite courses, equipment needs, and other introductory information. 

Utilizing the information, time management, and organizational skills learned in this class is just one of the many ways Cerro Coso is here to assist students in becoming successful this fall.   

Things may have changed over the last five months, but Cerro Coso is here for you. 

The college is currently registering for fall 2020 classes that begin August 24.  More information and registration available online at www.cerrocoso.edu or call a counselor today at 760-384-6219. 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Photo left to right: Airam Gomez, Ashley Padilla, Kimberly Alvarez, Nicole Cabrera, Daisy Montano, & Gabrielle Moore

Six Cal City High School Students Graduate College

Cerro Coso Community College is celebrating six high school students that earned both their Associate in Arts (AA) college degree in Liberal Arts as well as their high school diplomas from California City High School.

The six students are Airam Gomez, Ashley Padilla, Kimberly Alvarez, Nicole Cabrera, Daisy Montano, and Gabrielle Moore. 

“All were dedicated, hardworking and truly committed to getting their Associate degree by the time they graduated from high school and have plans to continue their education in the fall,” said Kristen Hanle, Program Manager for East Kern.

Airam will be attending Northern Arizona University where she will be pursuing a degree in Biology. Ashley will be attending College of the Canyons where she will be finishing the pre-requisites to pursue a degree in Nursing. Kimberly will be attending Long Beach State where she will be pursuing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Nicole will be attending California State University Fresno to pursue a degree in Animal Science.  Daisy will be attending Antelope Valley College where she will be pursue Nursing. Gabrielle will be attending the University of Washington where she will be pursuing a degree in Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management, Oceanography, or both.

The result of partnerships with service area high schools, by earning their Associate in Arts (AA) college degree in Liberal Arts, these students will start as juniors or third year college students of study, thus accelerating their ability to earn a Bachelor's Degree and at the same time saving money and potentially limiting student debt. 

Cerro Coso President Jill Board said “observing the hard work of all those involved in our high school partnerships, and especially the students crossing the finish line during a global pandemic, makes the work that we do every day so rewarding. They inspire us all to create even more unique pathways to college degrees and credentials.”

 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

The key to reducing the cost of college is getting the most out of your financial aid offers, but applying for financial aid can be a daunting process.

It is not too late get federal financial aid for the upcoming fall semester.

Cerro Coso will be holding a FASFA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid) workshop on Thursday, July 16^th from 6 to 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Participants must preregister for the event on the College website that will include information on Federal Student Aid, State Student Aid, Institutional Aid, and scholarships.

Cerro Coso wants to help make college more affordable by sharing tips and information about financial aid programs available and streamline the process for application. Parents and students are invited to attend and connect with college experts and get assistance in filling out financial aid applications and helpful hints about making the process easier.

The workshop will offer students and parents a better understanding of each program and how they work in conjunction with any tuition waivers or scholarships students may be eligible to receive.

Preregister for the workshop at www.cerrocoso.edu. Fall classes begin August 24, 2020.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

The month of June is recognized in countries around the world as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Pride Month. Cerro Coso Community College respects the dignity and equality of LGBTQ+ people and celebrates their contributions to society. The CCCC Library created a LGBTQ+ Resource Guide. 

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with conscience and reason and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

As California and the counties of Kern, Mono, and Inyo continue to expand the reopening of business and services, Cerro Coso Community College is preparing now to offer face-to-face classes in the fall 2020 semester at all campus locations.

Cerro Coso is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for students and staff.  They will work closely with the local departments of public health in all three counties to ensure that reopening guidelines are adhered to, such as promoting healthy hygiene practices; intensifying cleaning, disinfection and ventilation; implementing distancing inside and outside the classroom; limiting sharing; and planning for when staff or students become sick; among others.

Due to the requirements of social distancing, class seat size has been reduced dramatically. Where a classroom typically fits 60 students, for example, it may fit only 15 this fall. Because of this the college is using as many large classrooms as possible to maximize seats in classes. Students who prefer face-to-face instruction, are encouraged to register now to ensure their spot in on-ground classes.

Students taking face-to-face classes in the fall will be expected to take an active role in maintaining a healthy environment by not coming to school sick or after having been exposed to someone sick, wearing facemasks as required, complying with physical distancing and hand sanitizing protocols, and following instructions of faculty and staff regarding healthy hygiene practices and institutional protocols.

Those who feel they cannot abide by these expectations, are urged to enroll in an online section. 

Not all courses have online options--for example, art and science labs, hands-on instruction in the trades like welding and nursing, physical education classes, and other hard-to-convert sections. If a student cannot abide by all expectations to maintain a healthy environment and their course(s) aren’t offered online, the student should take it at a later time. Contact the counseling department for help to identify alternate course options so students can continue to make progress toward their educational goal. 

As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve- departments and faculty are developing backup plans in the event the health crisis significantly deteriorates and it is necessary to transition once again into remote delivery. These backup plans range from transitioning the class into a fully online class, to the instructor delivering lectures real-time at a particular day and time through Zoom, to—in some very hard to convert courses—cancelling the section outright.

“If it looks like the college may have to transition back again into remote delivery,” said Dr. Corey Marvin, VP of Instruction. “We will communicate this prior to July 16 so that students have time to consult with a counselor or advisor on their best options or make adjustments as needed.”

Students will soon receive a survey to gather input and feedback on taking classes during this unusual time. “We know they have seen a lot of surveys recently, but this is critical to assist decision-making to best support their instruction at Cerro Coso,” concluded Marvin.

Fall classes begin August 24, 2020.  Students are encouraged to register now for best class selection.  Complete fall schedule is available online at www.cerrocoso.edu.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

The Cerro Coso Community College Honors program hosted its first virtual recognition for program graduates on the college website at 2020 Honors Program Graduates.

Graduates and their instructors reflected on the hard work the students put into the rigorous program. Students received their Honors chords and tassels to wear in the college-wide commencement ceremony during the drive-thru regalia and professional photography event.

Since 1998, the Honors program has provided opportunities for students to challenge themselves through academics, leadership, service-learning programs and presentations, honors conferences, social engagement and much more.

The 2020 Honors program graduates include: Ashleigh Ayers, Amir Chaudhry, Arsh Chaudhry, Subber Dhillon, Gavann Freiberg, Torin Fuller, Emma Gilmartin, Warif Kastoun, Ryan McKinney,  Zulema Nuno, Lorin "Quinn" Smith, Matthew Tidball, and Abigail Voigt.

Two $500 Faculty Honors Scholarships were awarded to Emma Gilmartin and Gavann Freiberg and a $1,000 President's Honors Scholarship went to incoming freshmen Elajae Lee.

"Even though these graduates have missed out on an important college celebration, the class of 2020 will always be linked together through the adversity and challenge of COVID-19," said Cerro Coso President Jill Board. "It's easy to be part of something when times are normal; it is more rewarding to be part of something when times are extraordinary. With great determination these students have worked hard, and have not been deterred by the crisis that closed our campuses, cities, state, nation, and world. Celebrating their achievements is always one of the many highlights of the year for us at the college. Congratulations on your hard work and academic achievements."

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

The observance of Juneteenth is about the journey and achievement of African Americans - from a horrific period of sanctioned enslavement to the pinnacle of human endeavors. It is a story of pride, resilience and determination that will always be of historical and spiritual importance – as it serves us well to understand that together, we can overcome all obstacles in our path.  

As we know it, June 19^th 1865, was the day word reached the enslaved in Galveston, Texas, that their emancipation had been made formal, though it had been so since January, 1, 1863. And with those words, our country changed, this world changed. And, with bold and contentious decisions, we have continued to change – striving always to make it right, to make it better for all.

Again, we have the opportunity to look back at this nearly century-and-a-half journey of progress. We pay homage to those who have gone before us, those that have paved the road to freedom – many with their lives.  We stand on their shoulders.  We, as a collective, from all walks of life, are a part of this victory. We celebrate freedom.

Through our celebrations we reflect this independence. Through grass roots organizing and community collaboration we enjoy the creativity and dedication that produce celebrations from the dinner table to the backyard barbeque, from the neighborhood block party to the city wide parade, and from the school cafeteria to the corporate conference room. There is no governing body that sanctions or approves Juneteenth celebrations or Juneteenth organizations. We encourage everyone to participate in a local event or start their own tradition. Strengthening the ties that bind us should always be our objective. Unity and peace are our goals.

As we pay tribute to the journey, we acknowledge the many roles and contributions of the African American spirit to our society.  We embrace the past as well as the future that only unity, respect and appreciation can bring. To the countless supporters, organizers and attendees of Juneteenth celebrations hosted all across this nation and beyond, you are writing the history of our country and our world – there can be no greater honor than that. We thank you.

We Celebrate Juneteenth!

View on the Cerro Coso College website.