Current Students

December 9^th was a great day for Coyote’s softball player Annika Ramon. Surrounded by coaches, teammates, staff and employees of the college, she signed a letter of intent with William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri to play softball on a scholarship.

A native of Ridgecrest and a Burroughs High School alum, Ramon played three years of varsity softball at Burroughs before joining the Cerro Coso Coyotes in 2017. She will move on to continue her schooling and play for the William Woods University Owls. 

“Annika is a versatile athlete that has played both the middle field and the outfield at her junior college,” stated Heat Softball Coach Tracy Gastineau for WWU. “She has good speed on the bases and in the outfield; we look forward to having her join our program and University.”

Ramon was named to the All-Conference Second Team following her freshman season and the Honorable Mention team in 2019. She finished the 2019 season with a .366 batting average and seven extra base hits. She led the team in stolen bases with 25. 

A sophomore at Cerro Coso, Ramon proved to be a real leader for the Coyotes Women’s Softball team. She also played two seasons of soccer for the Coyotes. 

“Annika is as strong in the classroom as she was on the field,” said Cerro Coso Athletic Director John McHenry. “Her presence will be missed, but she has set a fine example for her teammates as they prepare for the next year.”

Ramon, the daughter of Durwisa and Jimmy Ramon, intends to major in management information systems.

Picture Caption: CCCC Athletic Director John McHenry congratulates Coyote softball player Annika Ramon on signing to play for the William Woods University Owls in the spring.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso student Zulema Nuno is the recipient of a $750 Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) Scholarship.

A first generation college student, Nuno came back to school after becoming a single parent to two children, Luna Isabel and Joseph Daniel.

Not only is she a full-time student and working for the Counseling Department at Cerro Coso Community College, she is currently part of EOPS, CARE, and CALWORKS programs.

Once accepted into EOPS in 2018, Zulema saw the opportunities offered by the program, such as financial and counseling support. Grants and scholarships from the program made it possible for her to be financially independent and provide for her family. She received immense support from the EOPS staff for educational and personal counseling. This is where Zulema found her second family within the school community. She believes that EOPS has made her the successful student she is today.

After receiving her Business certificate of achievement in 2019, she will receive an Associate’s degree in Business Administration in spring of 2020. Zulema’s academic goals include transferring to a University in fall of 2020 for a Bachelor’s degree, and eventually she plans to go on and earn a Master’s Degree.

Photo caption: (l to r) Penny Talley, Cerro Coso EOPS & CARE Director and Professor, student Zulema Nuno, and Access Programs Director Pam Campbell.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Community College is holding a grand opening for the Career Center located on the second floor of the Main Building.

The event is Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Career exploration and readiness is a continuous process that guides individuals into successful and fulfilling occupations.

Over the years, the College Career Center has gone through many changes, but has found its new and convenient home within the recently re-modeled Main Building.

Set within a modern space on the second floor, the Career Center is a hub for personal and professional development.  Students, alumni, and community members can explore and build connections between academics, personal interests, and professional development.

“This space is going to transform how we prepare students for careers and brings us that much closer to our goal of integrating career readiness into the  student experience while they are here on campus,” said Cerro Coso President Jill Board.

The Cerro Coso Career Center is designed to help businesses find qualified workers and assist job seekers to obtain employment and training services to enhance their careers.  They also offers assistance with career exploration, one-on-one and group career counseling, and job placement services.

During the Grand Opening guests will find a vast amount of resources including job search strategies, career exploration, internships, workshops, as well as information on college Career Technical Education programs.

The public is invited to attend and explore all the career services Cerro Coso has to offer.  Refreshments will be served and parking will not be enforced.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Community College is holding an information session on Thursday, December 5, 2019, in the Lecture Center from 2 to 4pm for their upcoming Tiny House/Earthquake Shelter Workshop.

The College is planning to offer a Tiny House/Earthquake Shelter Workshop in February that will show those who are interested what’s possible and guide them through all the options available. The two day course will serve as a guide to assist students, future tiny house owners, DIY tiny house buildings, engineers, architects, legislators, and regulators to better understand the critical issues of temporary earthquake shelters and provide housing solutions to those in low and middle-income demographics.

Gregori Niculitcheff will instruct the course and will be present at the information session to answer questions. An international entrepreneur, Niculitcheff studied engineering and design in Brazil and then moved to the United States to share his talents and expertise. After living decades in the Silicon Valley, he fell in love with and moved to the Mojave Desert where he opened a steel manufacturing plant. Witnessing firsthand the dire lack of affordable housing for the low and middle classes, as well as the homeless in the urban and suburban centers, Niculitcheff decided to find a practical and scale-able solution for this critical problem in California. 

Nothing can replace the experience of receiving a wealth of information in person, directly from an expert. If a Tiny House Workshop is of interest to you, attend the information session, meet other like-minded people, and talk directly with the expert.

For more information contact Jennifer Marshall at 760-384-6276 or Amanda Atencio at 760-384-6258.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Was your business affected by the recent earthquakes? Were you prepared? How did you recover?

Cerro Coso Community College in partnership with the Kern Community Foundation is hosting a FREE Business and Emergency Preparedness and Recovery Workshop on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

When seconds count, being prepared is critical. It is important to plan in advance. Attend this highly informative workshop to learn how to better prepare your business in an emergency or natural disaster.

The workshop will include information on keeping documents safe; emergency and crisis planning for your employees; what to expect during and after a power outage; proper insurance coverage; asset valuation; local, state, and federal resources; and preparing for loss. All attendees will receive a free disaster workbook.

Space Is limited. To learn more call (661) 567-0410. Register online at https://mcscorp.ecenterdirect.com/events/1835.

This workshop is sponsored by California Community Colleges, Cerro Coso Community College, Citibank, Kern Community Foundation, Mexico Consulado En Fresno, West Business Development Center, Wells Fargo, and the Small Business Administration.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Community College’s student Veterans Club held a Flag Raising Ceremony in honor of veterans on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at the flag pole.

Bill Bloom, Director of Veterans Affairs at the college, delivered welcome remarks, noting the importance of paying tribute to the flag and to the nation, and also honoring those who raised their hands to defend their country.

For student veteran Omar Grajeda, watching the raising of the American flag to commemorate Veterans Day and kick off Veterans Week, stirs memories of his time in service to his country in the Marine Corps.

Grajeda, who was among the speakers at the ceremony, shared the benefits of his service.  “I served 5 years in the Marine Corps, “ he said.  “It not only provided me the opportunity to find a good job here on base, but it gave me the chance to go back and further my education. I want to thank those who support our veterans and active duty military and their families,” he continued naming- Bill Bloom, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid; Jessica Kawelmacher, Admissions and Records Technician;  Alfonzo Guzman, Education Advisor; and Veterans Club Advisor Jarrod Bowen. 

Other activities planned throughout the week included a Veterans Resource Workshop, Wall of Courage on display in the college student center, and a Veterans Movie Screening of Lioness.

The flag raising ceremony, led by U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, was attended by students, staff, faculty members, and administrators. Music provided by Music Professor Tom Foggia.    

Photo Caption: Flag Raising Ceremony at Cerro Coso Community College performed by U.S. Naval Sea Cadets.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Men of Worth featuring Donnie MacDonald and James Keigher will once again delight an Indian Wells Valley audience when they appear in concert at Cerro Coso Community College on Friday, November 22, 2019, at 7:00pm, in the College Lecture Center, courtesy of the Cerro Coso Alumni Association. The concert features the very best in Celtic music–songs that come from past generations as well as stories from present day observations. Donnie MacDonald, a Scotsman, and Jimmy Keigher, an Irishman, combine music with humor in a very special union that leaves an audience laughing and cheering for more.

On stage, they perform with octave mandolin, accordion, bodhrans, guitar, banjo and mandolin while singing their songs in both English and Gaelic. Their vocals are rich with harmony and strong in unison. Together Men of Worth have a simple approach to their presentation, and in keeping with tradition, remain true to the music and story. They have been recording and performing since 1986 and have gained popularity from audiences all over America, Canada, Scotland, and Ireland.

CD's and tapes will be offered for sale during intermission and after the concert.

Price of general admission is $20, children under 13 are FREE. Tickets are available online at https://cerrocoso.ticketspice.com/2019-men-of-worth-concert from the College Business Office, and Red Rock Books. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, if space is available.  Parking will not be enforced during the event. For more information contact the Cerro Coso Foundation Office at 760-384-6262.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

The Cerro Coso Community College Band will present their fall concert on Thursday evening, November 21, at 7:00pm in the College Lecture Center.  An array of musical pieces will be performed that pay tribute to Vietnam, Woodstock, and other eras. 

Music has always had the power to evoke emotion and the College band concert will feature "Black Granite" by James L. Hosay which is a tribute to the valor, courage and honor displayed by the men and women of the U. S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam conflict.  Also dating from that era is music from Woodstock that will be featured in the selection "Summer of '69" arranged by Ted Ricketts, guaranteed to bring back memories!

For the younger audience, the band will stir up memories through the "Harry Potter Symphonic Suite" by John Williams and Robert W. Smith.  To bring a smile to the audience, the band will play "March of the Cute Little Wood Sprites" by PDQ Bach, "Instant Concert" by Harold L. Walters and "What's Up at The Symphony?" by Jerry Brubaker. 

Rounding out the concert and setting the stage for the holidays will be "And the Mountains Echoed: Gloria!" by Robert Longfield. 

The Fall Band Concert promises to be a delightful celebration of the fall season.  Admission and parking are FREE.  Donations will be accepted. 

The Cerro Coso band is composed of gifted junior and high school students, college students, and adults (some professional) and is directed by Debra Veit. The class meets Thursday evenings from 6 to 9:10 p.m. and is a wonderful example of a multi-generational group that fosters excellent performance in all.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Community College is holding a Veteran Resource Workshop on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Main Building Room 218.

The College strives to support, empower, and assist military and veteran students through military-connected transitional challenges, increase student veteran retention and completion, foster the development of skills needed to succeed in their educational goals, and create an awareness of military culture and how to support veterans on campus. 

Information will be provided on CalVet, Career Center, Counseling, Financial Aid, Kern County Veterans Office, and more. 

Interested members of the public are invited to participate. Parking will not be enforced during the event. 

For more information on Veteran Services at Cerro Coso Community College at 760-384-6291. 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

The Cerro Coso Veteran’s Club is hosting a FREE screening of the movie “Lioness” the untold story of the first women in U.S. history to be sent into direct ground combat,  on Thursday, November 14, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Main Building Community Room 350.

Lioness presents the untold story of the first group of women soldiers in US history to be sent into direct ground combat, in violation of official policy.

Told through intimate accounts, journal excerpts, archive footage, as well as interviews with military commanders, the film follows five women who served together for a year in Iraq.

With captivating detail, this probing documentary reveals the unexpected course of events that began with using US women soldiers to defuse tensions with local civilians, but resulted in the women's fighting in some of the bloodiest counter-insurgency battles of the war. Together the women's candid narratives and scenes from their lives back home form a portrait of the emotional and psychological effects of war from a female point of view.

Lioness is the first film to bridge the gap between perception and reality of the role women in the military are playing in Iraq, capturing an historical turning point for American society. 

Parking will not be enforced during the event that is FREE and open to the public.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.