Future Students

It’s Astronomical Barbecue and Star Party time again at Cerro Coso Community College. The community loves this family-friendly fundraising event where they enjoy great food, children’s activities, and are exposed to the beauty and wonders of the night skies. This year’s signature event will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022.

Mark your calendars for this fun-filled fundraiser to benefit Cerro Coso Community College.

A barbecue dinner will be held in the fountain area on the West side of the Main Building from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Star Party will get underway at 7:30 p.m. at the Observatory. For those desiring transportation, golf carts will be running continuously from the barbecue to the Observatory and back. Major stars and constellations will be pointed out by college staff, students, and enthusiasts from the China Lake Astronomical Society. There will be several different telescope stations set up inside the Observatory compound for public viewing and education.

Star parties have been an important part of the amateur astronomy scene for many years. All are invited to enjoy the wonders of the night sky.

Tickets for the event may be purchased at Red Rock Books or online at www.cerrocoso.edu. Dinner will include a grilled tri-tip or chicken sandwich, salad, beans, drink, and dessert for $20.

New this year will be the sale of beer and wine.

Special thanks go to this year’s event sponsors: Galactic Level – Desert Valley’s FCU, Copernicus Level – T.J. Frisbee Bicycles, The Swap Sheet, and Sylvia Sotomayor.

For more information on this family evening of fun, call the College at 760-384-6262.

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 many late start classes beginning in October and November which run a variety of lengths.

It is not too late for you to enroll in fall 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.

New full-time Business Professor Dr. Deanna Ing Campbell has always loved school and has worked in many aspects of education over the years. She spent the last 16 years serving as site director for Cerro Coso’s Bishop and Mammoth campuses.

“Teaching is my passion and I have taught full- and part-time over the past 30 years at every level from elementary to doctorate,” she said. “Life-long learning is definitely the motto I live by.”

She is currently working towards a master’s degree in counseling, with only two more courses left. “I could not imagine being more excited to return to full-time teaching this fall, especially for Cerro Coso!”

Born and raised in the Chicago, Illinois area, Dr. Campbell left after high school and never looked back. In the years since, she has lived in 20 different cities in five different countries including, Birmingham, UK; Taos, NM; Shanghai, China; New York City, NY: Singapore, and now Bishop, CA. She enjoys playing in the mountains – trail running, mountain biking, skiing, white water kayaking, climbing, and canyoneering. She also loves playing in the ocean – sailing, sea kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and swimming. 

Her teaching philosophy is adopted from bell hooks’ Teaching to Transgress: To hear each other…to listen to one another is an exercise in recognition. “I engage students by learning about them, figuring out how to connect the course topic to their own experiences and interests, recognizing that not all course topics are as important to them as they are to me,” she said, “and showing that I care about their success!” Campbell says she is really excited about working more closely with the students in the community and supporting them in pursuing their academic and career goals. “I am also very excited about learning from other faculty members to better support our students,” she concluded. 

Dr. Campbell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana; a Master’s Degree in International Studies from the Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania; MBA in Finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; and a Doctorate in Education in K12 & Higher Education Administration from the Rossier School, University of Southern California (Doctoral Thesis: Perspectives of Native American Community College Students). 

“We are very excited that Dr. Deanna Ing Campbell will be joining our faculty this fall,” said Cerro Coso President Dr. Sean Hancock. “She will enrich the business program with her expertise in accounting, marketing, and organizational management, and infuse the curriculum with her in-depth knowledge in the field of administration. She is committed to student success, and her experiences will help prepare students for an ever-changing business world.” 

Fall 2022 classes at Cerro Coso begin August 22, 2022. Call the campus near you.

Cerro Coso Community College – Your Hometown College!  

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Regular hours resume Tuesday, September 6^th
Monday – Thursday 10:30 am – 4 pm

Contact Us

Phone: 760-384-6352
Email: sm8016@bncollege.com

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Cerro Coso Community College is pleased to announce that Dr. Frank Guevara will be joining the college as a Professor of Child Development beginning in Fall 2022.

He says he admires “Cerro Coso for being innovative in meeting the needs of the community and is excited to contribute to the expansion of the Child Development program to support Spanish-speaking students.”

Dr. Guevara is a father to 9 children and a male role model to many others. He and his wife are foster parents, so they have many children under their roof and were fortunate to adopt several children to create a unique family. His wife holds degrees in Special Education and Social Work so the two have built a life around supporting children from challenging backgrounds.

He lives by the motto “the biggest room is always the room for improvement.” 

“My philosophy of teaching asserts that students are entitled to quality instruction in an active and stimulating learning environment,” said Guevara. “My standards of excellence- set high, yet attainable – are used to facilitate optimal student learning and the development of tools which will enable students to be successful in the field. I also encourage students to self-evaluate individual progress to facilitate the mindset of a reflective practitioner. An important component of my teaching philosophy is the commitment to serve as a mentor to future childhood professions,” he said. Two individuals stand out in helping Dr. Guevara achieve his own professional goals. As a student-teacher, Bev Hartman took the time to explain why certain strategies were effective when working with young children. “She helped me become a more effective educator, he said. Another mentor is Dr. Kelly Walter, because “she intervened when I was ready to drop out of my doctoral program and stood by me to get me graduated; since then, she’s been a mentor as he transitioned to higher education.”

When asked how he engages students in the classroom, he said…” often students are less motivated or disinterested when they cannot connect with the course topics. So, I look for opportunities to highlight the practical implications to their professional work – to demonstrate why this topic is meaningful to them as educators.” Dr. Guevara believes students come to class with a different set of skills and unique goals for themselves, so success will take all shapes and sizes – from a student completing their first course, learning a new strategy to support children’s development, or overcoming a personal obstacle. “It’s all about moving forward and not giving up,” he said. 

He received his doctoral degree in Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University, having completed his graduate studies in Child Development at San Jose University and a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Stanford University. He recently completed an M.A. in Special Education from the University of Arizona Global Campus. 

“As a family, we enjoy spending time outdoors, going on cruises, and volunteering in the community,” he concluded.

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. Their mission is to improve the life of every student it serves by prioritizing equity and supporting the attainment of educational goals. Through innovative delivery methods, Cerro Coso provides transfer preparation, workforce education, degree pathways, and comprehensive student support services to develop ethical and effective citizenry throughout its vast rural and online communities.

Fall 2022 classes begin August 22, 2022. Register today at www.cerrocoso.edu or call 760-384-6219. 

 Cerro Coso Community College. Your hometown college.

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Caption: Student Government of Cerro Coso (SGCC) representatives Mia Guzman president (front); Mary Piatt, finance manager; CCC President Dr. Sean Hancock; Catey Boyenga, secretary; and Dianne Espindola, vice president; are excited to welcome students back to campus this fall.

Fall semester marks the start of a new academic year and carries a sense of renewal as students return and classes resume on campus. Fall 2022 is no exception, yet it carries far greater significance following two years of pandemic-induced shifts to virtual and hybrid learning and working.

At Cerro Coso, the upcoming fall semester will mark the in-person debut of exciting changes to the gymnasium, lecture hall, and classrooms. “The college has been busy preparing an exciting and engaging academic experience that will help our communities thrive,” said Cerro Coso President Sean Hancock. “As our students begin their classes this fall, they will see that there is an entire Cerro Coso community that is supporting them throughout their journey.” 

The semester will officially kick off with Cerro Coso Rocks, a welcome back event slated for Thursday, August 18^th from 3 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard between the Main Building and West Wing. Open to the public, activities will include tacos for schedules, counseling assistance, student IDs, games, a photo booth, music, popcorn, ice cream social with the President, tours, information, workshops, and orientation. CC Rocks provides an excellent place to meet new faculty and staff and to catch up with those who have been away during the summer. It is an opportunity to get a real sense of what it is like to attend your local college. 

A series of workshops are being held in-person and virtually, to assist students with applications, registration, and financial aid. Cerro Coso is here to help students make the most of their time at the college. For information on programs of study, classes, or resources available contact the Counseling Department at 760-384-6219.

President Sean Hancock, who began his role as Cerro Coso’s eighth president in September of 2020, is eager to see the college campuses come alive. “Since joining the Cerro Coso team in 2020, I have long awaited the day when we would all return to our campuses, interacting in person once again. While we have experienced many challenges over the last couple of years, together we continue to stand strong in our commitment to our mission to transform the life of every student we serve. The start of a new academic year always brings a sense of enthusiasm and anticipation, but this year is uniquely special; I’m very excited to see our campuses come alive again as we welcome new and returning faculty, staff, and students”

The college is welcoming eight new full-time faculty members this fall: Frank Guevara, Child Development (Ridgecrest), Richard Garrett, Academy Coordinator (Tehachapi), Paul Kuttig, Computer Information Systems (Ridgecrest), Deanna Campbell, Business (ESCC), Rachel Barksdale, Counselor (Ridgecrest), and Jewell Ludwigsen, Librarian (Tehachapi). 

In athletics, the college is expanding its athletic offerings to include a new cross-country team. “The fielding of a cross-country program represents the next move for Cerro Coso athletics,” said John McHenry, Athletic Director. “Cross-country is a natural fit for our local community. Our current student-athletes make a significant contribution to our student experience and campus culture, and I look forward to welcoming a new team into the Coyote athletic program.” If you are a full-time student at Cerro Coso and interested in representing the college on the cross-country team contact athletic director John McHenry at 760-384-6148. Women’s soccer will be on hiatus this year. The past year witnessed major success for Coyote athletics as both the men’s basketball and baseball teams finished the season with high rankings. “Adding the cross-country team is the next step in furthering Coyote success in the classroom and on the field,” said McHenry.   

Cerro Coso is excited to welcome students back beginning Monday, August 22, for the Fall 2022 semester.

Preparing students for life-long success, it’s all about the future. Whatever the career goal, a college education can help. The College offers a variety of Associate Degrees and certifications, Associate Degrees for Transfer that guarantee acceptance to the California State University system, and community education. “Whether you want to earn an associate’s degree and transfer or want to improve your job skills, we are here for you,” said Hancock.

New this semester are programs of study in: Cloud Computing, Linux Operating System, Addiction Counseling, Digital Media and Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and the Child Development Associate Teacher Certificate taught in Spanish. The College is also offering a new Associate of Arts Degree for Transfer in Law, Public Policy, and Society. 

Every member of the Cerro Coso campus community plays a part in keeping campuses safe. They are reminded to take precautions, follow COVID-19 protocols, and most importantly, stay home if they aren’t feeling well. The Safety and Security and Human Resources departments are still monitoring positive cases and performing required contact tracing, and we’ll be sending out updates to the ever-changing protocols for employees and students as needed.

A leader in online education since 1997, students can also take classes from the comfort of their home or office through CC Online. A virtual campus of Cerro Coso, CC Online offers 24 accredited online associate degrees, 25 online certifications, and more than 160 courses per year. The College also offers high school students the ability to finish college faster through dual and concurrent enrollment programs offered through their high school. Interested high school students are encouraged to contact their counselors for more information.

“There are many exciting educational programs and initiatives to support our students’ success,” said Hancock. “Low tuition, no distractions, small commute, expert faculty, and friendly atmosphere…it’s a great time to be a Coyote and we look forward to everyone’s return.”

Registration is still ongoing and there are a number of classes still open. From anthropology to welding, Cerro Coso truly has something for everyone. Contact the college counseling department today at 760-384-6219.

Cerro Coso Community College – Your hometown college!

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Are you interested in working in a law-based profession to help people and society? Are you interested in an education path that could lead to law school? Are you interested in becoming a politician or working in government offices? Cerro Coso is offering a new Associate of Arts for a Transfer degree in Law, Public Policy, and Society. 

An associate degree for transfer provides a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. The AA-T degree guarantees admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and gives priority admission consideration to your local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to your community college major. This priority does not guarantee admissions to specific majors or campuses.

The Law, Public Policy, and Society study spans the humanities and the social sciences, incorporating disciplines, such as criminal justice, business, economics, political science, diversity, and paralegal. Careers in this field include paralegal and legal assistants, legal secretaries, lawyers, and judicial law clerks. 

Students pursuing this degree major will learn to identify sources of American law and articulate how a law is created. Describe the American legal system, including jurisdictional requirements, state and federal court systems, and roles of those in the legal field. Locate, critically read, and analyze relevant primary and secondary sources. Apply laws, public policy, and/or societal or ethical theories to develop a solution to a legal issue, a public policy issue, and/or social concern. Describe one’s ethical obligation to social responsibility under the laws. 

Classes are offered both online and on-campus. 

The degree has an option to take a more civil or more criminal law-based pathway to complete the program depending on your interests. 

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

Fall 2022 classes at Cerro Coso Community College begin August 22, 2022. Complete registration and course information is available on the web at www.cerrocoso.edu or contact the College Counseling Department.

Explore something new and exciting this fall at Cerro Coso Community College. – Your hometown college!

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Cerro Coso Community College will be offering two new certificates to meet the ever-growing and changing Information Technology field. Cloud Computing and Linux Administration Certificates of Achievement will not only benefit those new to the field but also those experienced in the IT/Cyber workforce.

Cerro Coso Community College just completed participating with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in a pilot program to update our certificate. Scholarships will be available to students whose goal is to earn the Cloud Computing Certificate of Achievement.

This certificate can be completed in just one year entirely online. Employers have repeatedly emphasized the skills for cloud computing and knowledge of Linux Administration is crucial to the industry. So, whether you are experienced or not, sign up for classes today to enter the field or advance to a higher position!

The Cloud Computing Certificate of Achievement is comprised of five courses. If a student has previously completed the IT Plus Certificate of Achievement (IT C101 - Introduction to Computers, C142 – Information & Communication Essentials (A+), C143 – Computer Network Fundamentals (Net+ ) and C146 -- Introduction to Information Security Systems) taking an additional three classes will yield the new certificate. Students will need to take IT C251 (Python), IT C248 (Server+), and IT C280 (Introduction to Cloud Computing) in the fall term and then IT C282 (Cloud Architecture) in the Spring 2023 term.

The Linux Administration Certificate of Achievement is comprised of four courses. If a student has previously completed the IT Plus Certificate of Achievement (IT C101 - Introduction to Computers, C142 – Information & Communication Essentials (A+), C143 – Computer Network Fundamentals (Net+) and C146 -- Introduction to Information Security Systems) taking an additional two classes will yield the new certificate. Students can take IT C290 (Linux Administration) in the fall term and then IT C292 (Linux Administration II) in the Spring 2022 term. The Linux Administration courses are aligned with the Red Hat version and will also align with the industry certification exams.

What if you have not taken the first four classes to get ready for the new certificates? You can start this fall by taking the first two courses (IT C101 and IT C142) online. If you have questions, please contact the Counseling Department at Cerro Coso Community College to get more information at 760-384-6100.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Cerro Coso Community College is offering Volleyball Camps July 18-21, 2022, for youths 6 - 17.

A camp for young players ages 12 -17, will be held Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Cerro Coso College Gymnasium. In addition, another camp will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. for 6- to 11-year-olds. 

Take advantage of these great opportunities to join the new head Coach Andy Cole, staff, and players to enhance your technical skills and volleyball knowledge. 

For athletes looking to advance their skills in a team environment, Cerro Coso's volleyball camp will help improve skills and practice in inter-program scrimmages. 

Younger players are introduced to the game in a fast, energetic environment meant to teach the game the right way and foster a love of the sport.  Camp will emphasize executing skills correctly and building good habits early. 

Camp fees are $100 per player $10 off for each additional sibling and include a camp t-shirt. More information and registration may be completed online at www.cosocoyotes.com/sports or contact Coach Cole at andrew.cole@cerrocoso.edu. 

Coyote Volleyball looks forward to providing a fun-filled camp experience while taking your game to the next level. 

Go Coyotes!

View on the Cerro Coso College website.

Tap into your creative side and take an art class at Cerro Coso Community College this fall. Interested in art history, meeting new people, rekindling a lost passion, or just because you have always wanted to take that class? Cerro Coso is offering a variety of art classes Online and at the Ridgecrest campus.

Loren Sandvik will be instructing an Introduction to Art class ART C101 online. The class provides a general introduction to art that offers a look at works of art through the study of theory, terminology, themes, design principles, media, techniques, and an introduction to visual arts across time and diverse cultures. Students are given studio art experiences with various studio media to reinforce the concepts presented.

An overview of western art and architecture from prehistory through the Middle Ages is the topic of ART C105 to be taught by Tanner McGuire. The class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. in the Learning Resource Center Room 709.

Survey of Western Art from Renaissance to Contemporary will be taught by Katherine Hover-Smoot online. ART C106 will provide an overview of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the Contemporary period.

Other art classes being taught at the Ridgecrest campus this fall include: Art and Design Foundations 3-D (ART C115) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.; Painting I (ART C131) Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.; Ceramics (ART C141) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.; Drawing II (ART 221) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:10 p.m. to 8:20 p.m.; Painting II (ART C231) Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.; Intermediate Drawing (ART C821) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:10 p.m. to 8:20 p.m.; Intermediate Painting (ART C831) Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.; Intermediate Ceramics (ART C841) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.

Additional art classes that are being offered online include: Modern Art (ART C108) and Drawing I (ART C121).

The Fall 2022 term at Cerro Coso Community College begins August 22, 2022. Complete registration and course information is available at www.cerrocoso.edu or contact the Counseling Department at 760-384-6219.

Studies have shown that students who enroll in art classes do better in school overall. Explore your potential at Cerro Coso Community College this fall.

View on the Cerro Coso College website.