Caption: Selfless acts of kindness make a big difference.  Vincent, Liam, and Eli (l to r) the sons of Cerro Coso Counselor Tim Allen saved their birthday and allowance money to make a donation to the Cerro Coso Hunger Free Program to combat food insecurities for college students. For more information on the program or to make a donation contact Katie Bachman, Director of Outreach Services at 760-384-6150.   

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Honors Students Research Accepted to Present at HTCC Student Research Conference

Every year, the Honors Transfer Council of California (HTCC) in conjunction with University of California, Irvine organize the HTCC Student Research Conference. This multidisciplinary conference showcases outstanding faculty-mentored research by students from California community colleges, with a focus on honors students.

Two Cerro Coso students – Emily Aralar and Lucy Bui – submitted their honors research project, which have been accepted for presentation at the 20^th Annual HTCC Student Research Conference. Although the physical conference scheduled for April 4^th 2020 at UC, Irvine was cancelled due to COVID-19 state guidelines, HTCC reiterates that acceptance to the conference represents a significant achievements by students.  

Emily Aralar’s presentation entitled “Encouraging Legal Immigration: An Economic Outlook and Solution to Illegal Immigration” discusses the importance of looking at illegal immigration from an economic and public perspective. Her research based on recent studies published by various official agencies suggested that revising the immigration process through improvement of citizenship process and detention centers, as well as adjusting refugee admissions, legal immigration can be encouraged to help in the economy. Emily was mentored by Prof. Melanie Jeffrey her presentation is available here.

Lucy Bui’s research refutes the common belief that allergy and asthma are just minor inconveniences to the sufferers. In her presentation, “Allergy & Asthma: It’s Not Causing Inconvenience, It’s Causing Permanent Damage”, Lucy recounted that 35% of the world’s population suffers from allergic diseases, of which 300 million are from asthma, one of the most serious of all pulmonary diseases. Constant exposure to common everyday allergens damages lung tissues leading to cellular senescence and oncogenic changes, which triggers chronic inflammation, alveolar destruction, and endothelial dysfunction. Lucy was mentored by Prof. Guck Ooi available here,

Presenting their work at the HTCC Student Research Conference makes these Cerro Coso students eligible not only for monetary awards but also to submit their work for publication in the HTCC anthology Building Bridges, published through the University of California, Irvine.  Cerro Coso Community College is a member of the Honors Transfer Council of California, and send honors students to participate in the Building Bridges Honors Conference every April. To learn more about the Honors Program at Cerro Coso visit the website at http://www.cerrocoso.edu/academics/honors-program.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

All Cerro Coso campuses are CLOSED due to COVID-19.  Only a limited amount of classes and Learning Resource Services are available on campus!

All students and staff intending to visit any of the Cerro Coso Community College campuses for any reason whatsoever—including classes and scheduled work hours—must complete an on-campus visit form available on the college website prior to every arrival on campus. Students must complete the Student Campus Visit form. Faculty and staff must complete the Employee Campus Visit form. These forms let M&O, Campus Security, and site directors know who is on campus in case of emergency and for cleaning reasons. They also require the individual to affirm that they are free of COVID symptoms at the time of their visit and that they agree to abide by the protocols and healthy hygiene practices described in this document while on campus.

The only instruction taking place wholly or partially in-person at any Cerro Coso Community College campus for fall 2020 is classes supporting training for essential workforce activities (drafting, emergency medical technology, health careers, machine tool technology, and welding) and intercollegiate athletic classes.

Please help us keep our campuses safe by abiding by all Safe Campus Reopening Protocols

The beginning of the fall semester starts Monday, August 24, 2020!

Online Classes: Students can begin logging into full-term, online classes after noon on Friday, August 21. You must login by 8:00pm Pacific time on Monday, August 24. To log in to your online class: Go to insideCC (or insidePC, or insideBC, depending on your email address extension), or visit www.cerrocoso.edu/login for a tutorial on logging in to your class on the Canvas learning management system.

On-Campus Classes: You must attend the first class meeting if you are registered or on the waitlist for an on-campus class, or you will be dropped from the class or waitlist. Full-term on-campus classes begin the week of August 24, 2020. 

Schedule Zoom Classes: You must attend the first class meeting via Zoom on the times and days listed in the fall schedule, if you are registered or on the waitlist for a Schedule Zoom class. Schedule Zoom classes begin the week of August 24, 2020. 

Bookstore: On-campus store is closed.  Visit the online bookstore for texts and materials: Bookstore

Navigate: Let Navigate help you stay updated on important deadlines, events, and activities; explore majors and careers; schedule your classes around the rest of your life, based on your preferences; and register with ease. All at no extra cost to you!

Financial Aid: If you have applied for financial aid, check on your status and additional information needed through insideCC. Login using your full school assigned email address and Banner PIN. Click on Financial Aid in the black bar across the top on the right hand side. Contact Financial Aid if you do not see the Financial Aid link.

Scholarships: The CCCC Foundation offers more than $100,000 in scholarships each year. Applying is easy.

Parking Pass: Ridgecrest campus students NOT required for the Fall 2020 term.

LRC Closure: Ridgecrest Campus. Tutoring services and open lab availability for individual study will be offered at the IWV, Bishop, Mammoth, KRV, and Tehachapi learning assistance centers in limited amounts on an appointment basis and require face coverings and physical distancing.

Campus Maps: Maps for each campus are available on the campus webpages. For example, maps for the Ridgecrest/IWV campus are on the  Ridgecrest/IWV campus page.

College Assigned Email:  Please check your college assigned email regularly. A Student Need To Know newsletter is sent out via email every week to keep you informed of all the activities happening around campus.  

Student Employment Outreach: Contact the Career Center for more information.

Welcome to the Fall 2020 semester at Cerro Coso Community College!

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Caption: Top l to r: Lisa Couch, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services; Lisa Stephens, East Kern Director; and Nicole Griffin, Program Manager for Dual Enrollment and Prison Education. Bottom l to r: Alec Griffin, Professor of Anthropology/Sociology; and Peter Fulks, Assoc. Professor of Administration of Justice.

Five Receive Excellence in Education Award

Five CCCC employees received the 2019/2020 CCCC Excellence in Education Award for their outstanding work in leading college efforts in serving underrepresented populations and ensuring our educational environment is safe for all.  The recipients are Lisa Couch and the champions of the Incarcerated Student Education Program (ISEP) Lisa Stephens, Alec Griffin, Peter Fulks, and Nicole Griffin.

Lisa Couch, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services at the college was recognized for her work during and after the earthquakes at the Ridgecrest Campus.  Mrs. Couch served as the main point of contact in communicating the level of damage to college facilities.  She coordinator tours and inspections with local, county, and state officials.  Her level of detailed accounting and records were recognized by the Kern Community College District Board of Trustees and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.  

“The coordination of the all the inspections to assess the damages to our facilities, and tracking the repairs that were needed to reopen the buildings, allowed students to return to classes and employees to return to work.  Her diligence on this will provide reimbursement from state and federal agencies.  During all of this work, Lisa’s primary goal was the safety of the students, staff, and faculty of Cerro Coso.  Without Lisa’s leadership and project management skills displaying the required attention to detail the college would have struggled to start classes on schedule last fall,” said CCCC President Jill Board.

Lisa Stephens, East Kern Director; Nicole Griffin, Program Manager for Dual Enrollment and Prison Education; Peter Fulks, Assoc. Professor of Administration of Justice; and Alec Griffin, Professor of Anthropology/Sociology received the award for championing the Incarcerated Student Education Program (ISEP) at the college which has earned state and national attention.

The prison program at CCCC began in the fall of 2015 with 18 students in one section of Counseling C101 at the California City Correctional Facility and has since grown to serve over 750 students per semester in more than 75 sections at both the Cal City and Tehachapi prisons. In Tehachapi, classes are offered in four yards providing students the opportunity to complete coursework in their choice of up to five associate degrees.  The program is poised to grow again in 2020-21 by an additional 25% in part by adding an additional degree option.

More impressive than the program’s growth has been its results.  In 2019, incarcerated students completed classes at an 86.6% success rate, almost twelve percentage points higher than the 74.7% average for non-incarcerated students.  African-Americans succeeded at a rate more than thirty percentage points higher than non-incarcerated African-American students 87.4% to 54.0%.  The prison numbers shed a light on true equity: whether by age or ethnicity, all demographic groups were tightly clustered in achievement rates.

In addition, the program, saw the introduction of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society at both facilities, with an immediate large number of inductees in good standing.  A peer mentor program was been developed, and a number of students have even been recognized as National Latin Exam awardees.  Over the past two years, more than 40 students have earned their associate degrees in the two facilities.  “For lives that have been restricted for years by justice-involved horizons, the prison program has been nothing short of inspirational,” said Board.  As one of the Tehachapi graduates said, “It’s the beginning of a new life and it’s probably got to be my biggest accomplishment so far.”

Both Alec Griffin and Peter Fulks received the 2019 California Academic Senate Regina Stanback-Stoud Diversity Award for their work with the ISEP; and the McSilver Institute of NYU has collaborated with the program to engage in a multi-year study on Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices.

“Please join me in congratulating these employees on receiving this prestigious award,” concluded Board.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

CAPTION:  Dr. Corey Marvin Interim President and Vice President of Instruction, Heather Ostash Vice President of Student Services, and Pam Campbell Director of Access Programs demonstrate the importance of masks on, wiping  down surfaces, wash hands regularly and use hand sanitizer for the fall 2020 term.

College Releases Reopening Protocols for Fall 2020 Semester

Interim President, Dr. Corey Marvin, released reopening protocols for the fall 2020 semester at Cerro Coso Community College.  “Not only does this document represent a lot of input by a lot of people but it captures the college’s approach to the pandemic and to staff and student safety—pieces of which might very well become the new normal,” he stated in an email to staff.

The document is informed primarily by guidelines received from the Statewide Association of Community Colleges (SWACC) who, as the college’s liability insurance provider, has provided comprehensive guidance related to reopening. It has also been substantially aligned with the California Department of Public Health ‘s Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education, which was just recently released. And these protocols have been reviewed by the Kern County Public Health Services.

Some highlights of the protocols includes face coverings are to be worn in public spaces at the college by faculty, staff, and students (classrooms, hallways, restrooms, offices visited by the public, etc.) in line with the same requirements state-wide for all workers and members of the public, until further notice.

All students and staff intending to visit any of the Cerro Coso Community College campuses for any reason whatsoever—including classes and scheduled work hours—must complete an on-campus visit form available on the college website prior to every arrival on campus. Students must complete the Student Campus Visit form. Faculty and staff must complete the Employee Campus Visit form. These forms let M&O, Campus Security, and site directors know who is on campus in case of emergency and for cleaning reasons. They also require the individual to affirm that they are free of COVID symptoms at the time of their visit and that they agree to abide by the protocols and healthy hygiene practices described in this document while on campus.

Until further notice, any face-to-face meeting between students and a faculty member or other employee will be pre-arranged by appointment only and will take place in the learning assistance center (LAC), one-stop shop, or other public space sufficiently sized to maintain social distancing. Students must complete the Student Campus Visit form prior to arrival; the faculty or staff member must complete the Employee Campus Visit form.

The only instruction taking place wholly or partially in-person at any Cerro Coso Community College campus for fall 2020 is classes supporting training for essential workforce activities (drafting, emergency medical technology, health careers, machine tool technology, and welding) and intercollegiate athletic classes.

Student support services such as counseling, advising, financial aid, admissions and records, outreach, and Access programs will continue to occur virtually unless or until restrictions are lifted.

Learning support services such as library and proctoring will continue to occur virtually unless or until restrictions are lifted.

Tutoring services and open lab availability for individual study will be offered at the IWV, Bishop, Mammoth, KRV, and Tehachapi learning assistance centers in limited amounts on an appointment basis and require face coverings and physical distancing.

All common spaces will be closed. All tables and chairs have been removed from spaces where individuals may gather, including the student center and employee break room. There will be an exception for appointment-based use of the learning assistance center by students and staff. 

Faculty and staff who are at a higher risk for severe illness (including older adults and people of all ages with certain underlying medical conditions) are directed to contact the college HR office to seek an accommodation that limits their risk of exposure.

Students or staff who believe they have been exposed to COVID should contact any of the following: Human Resources (staff or students), Campus Security (staff or students), Area Administrator (staff), and Instructor (students).

To address any questions or concerns about COVID-19, the college’s response, or compliance with the protocols, an email account has been created that goes to members of the Core Response Team for immediate review: cc_covid19@listserv.cerrocoso.edu. 

“These reopening protocols are a living document. We are anticipating that changes will be made as conditions continue to evolve. We are continuing to work with Mono or Inyo county departments of public health for their review and feedback. While we are not expecting significant changes, they may have particular items they would like addressed more fully. But any input from inside or outside the institution that helps clarify and improve the document and our response is appreciated,” stated Marvin.

“The decision to reduce activity on campus was not an easy one to make; however, it was a measure that we took to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.  At the same time, we are aware that living through times of uncertainty such as these can make us anxious about the future.  Our primary focus is to continue to provide a safe learning and working environment for all our students and employees.”   

The Reopening Protocols document for the college is available online at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/campus-safety/covid-19/covid-19-resources .

Fall 2020 classes at Cerro Coso Community College begin August 24, 2020.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Hocker to Instruct college class in Videography, Storytelling, and Video Editing

Professional photographer and videographer Ray Hocker will be instructing a 3-unit class in Digital Video Production at Cerro Coso Community College this fall.

The course is specifically designed to help students edit and manipulate videos.  No matter whether you are a novice video maker, blogger, or business owner; this class will help you learn the nooks and crannies of producing quality videos.  The course introduces digital video production techniques including: single camera operation and procedures, basic principles and techniques of sound and scriptwriting, and digital video editing.  Course topics include the operation of digital camcorders, lighting and sound equipment; post-production digital editing suites; concepts and techniques of nonlinear digital editing, including organization of the editing process; and working timeline and audio editing, with emphasis on the principles and aesthetics of video editing. 

Video marketing has seen a surge in popularity due to its effectiveness in generating good ROI and ramping up website traffic.  However, just like other forms of content, there is a lot of emphasis on the need to produce quality videos.  DMA C131- Digital Video Production will be taught online with Instructor Hocker who will provide a thorough understanding of the appropriate use of equipment and techniques required to create a great product.

Cerro Coso offers complete programs of study including an Associate of Science Degree in Web Profession, as well as a Web Professional Certificate, and Web Fundamental Certificate to prepare students for employment or self-employment in the Web industry by emphasizing standards-based coding and scripting, creative problem solving, usability, accessibility, media production, e-commerce concepts, project management; and networking. 

There is still time to register for fall 2020 classes that begin August 24, 2020.  Complete schedule of classes is available at www.cerrocoso.edu or call 760-384-6100.

 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Offering New Class Formats: Most Classes Start August 24

Classes at Cerro Coso Community College this fall will not look like ‘business as usual’.  The College will offer classes in a variety of formats to decrease the amount of traffic on its campuses for the safety of students, employees, and communities. 

Cerro Coso has always offered convenience through its seven campuses and online courses. But this fall it adds a good dose of innovation.

“While our top priority remains providing a safe environment for our students and employees, our goal is to continue to give students the best learning experiences we can, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Acting President and Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Corey Marvin. 

Students will be able to choose among classes offered in Online and Scheduled Zoom formats—in addition to a very small number of classes still offered in-person on campus.

Online: These are the “traditional” online courses that do not meet on a certain day, or at a certain time, but are taught completely through the college’s learning management system, Canvas. Coursework is posted to and accessed through a Canvas shell that includes all the class elements: lecture, exercises, assignments, assessments. Regular effective contact is built into the class between instructor and student and among students through such features as discussion forums and journal entries. And some instructors may still use Zoom to provide opportunities to work with them. 

Schedule Zoom: These courses are offered over the internet but use the platform Zoom to deliver instruction at the times and days listed in the College’s fall schedule. Students attend these virtual classes like traditional classes, interacting directly with the instructor to hear lectures, ask questions, engage in discussions, practice skills, and carry on many of the same classroom activities used in traditional in-person classes. A number of courses in workforce training and general education are being delivered through Scheduled Zoom.

On-campus: These courses are taught in a traditional classroom face-to-face and will be limited primarily to programs that have a strong hands-on or in-person component, such as nursing, welding, and intercollegiate athletics. Many of these classes have smaller enrollments to allow for physical distancing. 

“Limiting the number of classes taught in person can ensure that our students have the space necessary to practice physical distancing while they are on campus,” Marvin said. “We know that students may not feel comfortable returning to campus, however, and that is why we are offering even more options for students to make progress toward their educational goals with us this fall.”

For classes and services continuing to be provided on campus, the college will abide by all evolving state guidelines including enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols, required face coverings for students and employees, and daily self-screening questionnaires. Signage and other communications will guide and direct safe practices.

“Our plan for the fall is grounded in two priorities: creating a healthy and safe learning environment and continuing to offer the classes students need to make progress on their major,” said Dr. Marvin. “We have largely succeeded in not cancelling any classes for the fall semester—including some hard to convert biology and science classes—to fulfill our vision of transforming lives and building strong communities. Our faculty have been very resourceful and innovative.”

Although the college remains largely closed to the public, the full range of student support and engagement services will be available virtually during the fall term, including counseling, advising, and financial aid. A very small amount of in-person support services are planned to be offered on campus, including tutoring.

“Cerro Coso prides itself on creating a supportive environment in which to learn and succeed in all instructional delivery modes. Whether courses meet online or in person, we are committed to providing an educational experience that is engaging, focused, connected, and that offers timely and meaningful feedback. Students will have opportunities to interact and engage with not only the course content and instructors but with other students as well,” continued Marvin.

“We welcome not only those students who choose to stay home for a bit but also those who have decided this might be the time to learn new skills and pursue a different career moving forward,” he concluded.

Registration is going on now for fall 2020 classes that begin August 24, 2020.  To learn more about Cerro Coso Community College, visit www.cerrocoso.edu or call 760-384-6100.

 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Kern Community College District announces next Cerro Coso Community College President Dr. Sean C. Hancock to begin term at the end of September 2020 

Chancellor Thomas Burke of the Kern Community College District is pleased to announce Dr. Sean C. Hancock as the next President of Cerro Coso Community College.

“Dr. Hancock brings extensive experience in higher education administration, instruction, and student learning support services that will ensure Cerro Coso Community College’s continued emphasis on improved student outcomes, building on the outstanding leadership of his predecessor, President Jill Board,” Burke says. “Additionally, Dr. Hancock will have a keen focus on navigating through the current Covid-19 crisis with a long-term vision for transitioning to a more stable environment in the future.” A nationwide search process included several excellent candidates, on-campus forums, and several rounds of interviews prior to Dr. Hancock’s appointment for the position.

Dr. Hancock’s Background

Dr. Hancock most recently has served as Vice Chancellor for Student and Institutional Success at Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District in El Cajon. His primary responsibilities included providing vision and leadership for the district-wide academic and student services, community and workforce development, integrated strategic planning, institutional research, and information technologies. He has more than 20 years of experience in community college administration and leadership in California. He earned an Associate’s Degree from College of the Sequoias in Visalia, a Bachelor’s in Management and Organization Development from Fresno Pacific University, an MBA from TUI University in Cypress, and holds an Ed.D. in Educational Administration and Leadership with emphasis in Higher Education/Community Colleges from University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Future Goals

“Dr. Hancock will be a strong and innovative leader who can build a successful future for Cerro Coso Community College by working with the Kern Community College District to achieve the vision set forth for student success goals,” says Chancellor Burke. Cerro Coso Community College has provided a variety of programs and services to meet the needs and interests of students and community members since 1973. The school provides educational opportunities for a population base of more than 85,000 over 18,000 square miles, covering a four-county region in eastern California that includes mountain, desert, and valley communities. Chancellor Burke will officially recommend Dr. Hancock to the KCCD Governing Board at their meeting on August 13th. He will begin his term at the end of September.  

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.

Cerro Coso to Host Virtual Veterans Benefit Webinar

The College is hosting a Veterans Benefit Webinar via Zoom on Thursday, August 6, 2020 from 6 to 7 p.m., highlighting information on how to enroll as a student and receive military educational benefits at Cerro Coso Community College.

Discussion topics will include a brief overview of education benefits, processes for the G.I. Bill and CalVet Fee Waiver, college resources, and the new MyVRC App.

Those attending are encourage to preregister in advance of the workshop at https://www.cerrocoso.edu/event/virtual-veterans-benefits-webinar  After registering participants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link to attend.

The new MyVRC App is designed specifically for Cerro Coso’s military and veteran students to help them access information and staff contacts, provides links to campus and community resources, has a built-in chat feature, access to wellness and crisis resources,  and provides success tools and learning resources.  The app allows them to build a network of buddies and introduce themselves to other veterans on campus.  The MyVRC can be downloaded for free from the APP Store or Google Play using keyword: myvrc.

They make sacrifices for our nation, education doesn’t have to be one of them.  Cerro Coso offers a wide range of services and programs in support of their military and veteran students.

Now registering for fall 2020 classes that begin August 24, 2020.  

College it really can change everything. 

View on the Cerro Coso College website.