October 2017

Bridging Careers and Education 1 Student Support (Re)defined 1 ESCC Site Director Speaks at DACA Rally in Bishop 2 Nelepovitz - Let it Be 2 International Community Day 3 Reed’s Creativity if FUN 3 Griffin: Experience the World in a Different Way 4 Lady Coyote Pride 4 Staff Birthday Bash 4 Open Education Faculty Innovators 5 Allen - Life is About Creating Yourself 5 Foundation Feature: 6 Star Party an Astronomical Success

Inside this Issue

Student Support(Re)definedThe question of “what support services are needed to help students complete their educational goals” was the focus of intense research by the Research and Planning Group (RP Group) for California Community Colleges. To answer this question the RP Group interviewed students and conducted focus groups with over 900 students from 16 California community College. They sampled relatively equally from three primary groups – current students, completers of degrees/certificates/transfer, and those who did not reach their goals. It is always fascinating to talk directly with students about their experiences. After compiling and analyzing the data, RP identified “Six Success Factors” that the research indicated were key catalysts to these students succeeding (or not completing when they were absent):

• Directed, students have a goal and know how to achieve it

• Focused, students stay on track – keeping their eyes on the prize

• Nurtured, students feel somebody wants and helps them to succeed

• Engaged, students actively participate in class and extracurricular

• Connected, students feel like they are part of the college community

• Valued, students’ skills, talents, abilities and experiences arerecognized, they have opportunities to contribute on campus and feel their contributions are appreciated

Cerro Coso Community College is using these six success factors to drive campus-wide conversations and actions designed to improve student achievement. Everyone has a role to play in supporting student success and everything we do creates the conditions for change needed to help students complete. Helping students achieve academic success in the present and personal success in the future…Directed. Focused. Nurtured. Engaged. Connected. Valued.

Bridging Careers and Education

Career Exploration Day on September 21st at the Ridgecrest campus brought together more than 360 students from nine area middle schools and high schools and Cerro Coso students to interact with more than 40 volunteer businesses, non-profits, and educational partners. Activities allowed participants to explore the many career and educational opportunities available locally. Students talk with professionals from different companies to learn about local careers, their work environment, necessary skill sets, earning potential, and the training and education needed to become employed. College students were encouraged to come prepared with resume in hand to meet with employers, make good first impressions, and secure follow-up commitments. Various college departments highlighted the numerous educational programs offered through Cerro Coso. Directed and Focused – this event helps students map their way through high school, college, and career plans and stay focused on reaching their goals.

Nelepovitz – Let It BeKellen Nelepovitz has joined the staff of the Public Information Office as the new Department Assistant II to the CCCC Foundation and College Promise. Born and raised in Ridgecrest, she is the first granddaughter on her father’s side, born on her grandmother’s birthday. An only child for 8.5 years until her sister was born, Nelepovitz says she is part of an amazing blended family that calls themselves “The Brady Bunch”. She is the proud auntie of five nieces and nephews, and adores her 14 year old fur baby Cody. Her adventurous spirit allowed her to travel around for 10 years after high school breaking ground into new territory and experiences. She even studied abroad in Prague at Charles University. Nelepovitz holds a BA Degree in Communication Design and International Relations from Cal State Chico. After graduating college, she took her tax return and moved down to San Diego with absolutely no plan in mind. It turned out to be an amazing four years for her. She found her way back to Ridgecrest and is loving the small town atmosphere. For fun, Nelepovitz enjoys hiking and exploring around the area. She is also a professional lifestyle and wedding photographer. A welcome addition to the Public Relations, Marketing, and Development Department, Nelepovitz will play a powerful role in assisting the CCCC Foundation in developing sustainable funding for the Cerro Coso Promise. Welcome Kellen! Valued – Kellen provides opportunities for Cerro Coso students to contribute on campus and their contributions are appreciated.

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ESCC Site Director Speaks at DACA Rally in Bishop

In response to the announcement on Tuesday, September 5th, that DACA (Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals) would be “unwound,” Inyo 350, an Inyo County community organization, and the Sierra Club organized a rally

on Wednesday, September 13th, in Bishop City Park to “support DACA and local Dreamers.” Local government representatives and educators were on hand to provide information to the public. Dr. Deanna Campbell, Director of the Eastern Sierra College Center, spoke on behalf of Cerro Coso and President Jill Board. Dr. Campbell provided information about the California Dream Act, the difference between DACA and the Dream Act, as well as critical information recently announced regarding DACA renewal. She shared the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Acting General Counsel, Jacob Knapp’s summation of two issues arising from the “unwinding” of DACA that would affect existing DACA students. “The Department of Homeland Security] does not intend to terminate an individual’s DACA status prior to its stated expiration;” stated Dr. Campbell. “An individual whose DACA status is set to expire between now and March 5, 2018 may still apply for renewal of their DACA status – but the application for renewal must be accepted by the Department by October 5, 2017.” Campbell further explained Jacob Knapp’s message “it is important to note that today’s decision on the “unwinding” of

DACA does not impact a student’s ability to attend our California community colleges, qualify for an exemption from non-resident tuition fees under AB 540, or to apply for financial aid under the provisions of the California Dream Act. AB 540 and the California Dream Act are state programs that are entirely separate and distinct from DACA and the federal enforcement of immigration laws.” Lastly, Dr. Campbell shared that “Cerro Coso Community College’s President, Jill Board, has confirmed that we will adhere to Chancellor Oakley’s directive and will continue to serve all our students as we have under the California Dream Act.” Approximately 150-200 community members attended the peaceful, apolitical rally, and Dr. Campbell reported that after talking with audience members, the main message was that they felt grateful that the so many community leaders showed up and spoke out. This made the Dreamers feel that they were welcome in Bishop and the community. Nurtured – this event helped students to know that Cerro Coso stands behind them and is here to help them succeed!

International Community DayCerro Coso participated in the 2nd International Community Day event on Friday, September 18th in celebration of Ridgecrest’s vibrant cultural and diverse population. The community potluck took place at the Kerr McGee Center from 5 to 9 p.m. and a team of college faculty, staff, and students were on hand to staff the Cerro Coso booth and encouraged participants to spin the cultural wheel and test their knowledge of different cultures. Entertainment included Mexican dancers, a Chinese skit, the Ridgecrest Filipino Dance group, parade of nations, belly dancers, the High Desert Dance Center’s Polynesian Dancers, songs, and representatives wearing national costumes from various countries. Between 500 and 600 attended the event. Engaged and Valued – participating in community events like this are critical to education and promote multicultural collaboration.

Reed’s Creativity is FUNAt one time or another, we have all experienced walking into a business and receiving a lukewarm reception from the person behind the counter. That will never be the case with new Department Assistant II Amber Reed in the Public Information Office. Her bubbly and cheerful attitude are a welcome addition to the Department. Creative by nature, Reed loves to draw, color, and paint. Her favorite medium is digital art. She primarily draws on the computer using a Wacom tablet to create art and uses Photoshop to manipulate her work. Born and raised in Ridgecrest, Reed graduated from Burroughs High School in 2009 and went on to earn an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Cerro Coso in 2014, and then went on to earn a phlebotomy license while working for Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. In addition to her art, Reed enjoys reading, playing video games, going for walks, and playing with her two fur babies: Jiji, a 16-year-old cat, and her spunky Chihuahua mix dog Piper. The thrill of new experiences have led her to swim at the bottom of one of the many caves outside of town, and rafting in the Kern River a few months ago, where they lost control of their raft due to the current and crashed into a tree. Reed’s motto for life is also the golden rule…treat others as you would like to be treated. Cerro Coso WELCOMES Amber to the team. Directed and Focused – As a member of the Marketing and Public Relations

team Amber will assist in sharing important information with students on how to set goals and achieve them and help them stay on track.

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Celebrating cultural diversity at the 2nd International Community Day left to right: Student Ambassador Jenna Daugherty, Umoja Program students Makaila Constant and Novena Pena, Professor Lucila Gonzalez-Cirre, staff member Julie Maikai, and Professor Guck Ooi.

Staff Engagement EventsOct 5 - Thirsty Thursday Oct 31 - Meet & Greet (Location TBA), 12:30-1:30pm

Griffin: Experience the World in a Different WayThere is a lot that we read and hear about when it comes to other parts of the world, but actually visiting and experiencing another culture in person is quite different. Not only has new Anthropology and Sociology instructor Alec Griffin traveled through 38 countries, but he has also had some exciting and terrifying experiences along the way. Traveling to Cairo 11 days after a coupe d’état deposed President Morsi was among some of the craziest. The pyramids and Cairo museum were empty as the country experienced serious protests, unrest, and an imposed curfew, but for Griffin the trip was amazing. 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 on a large pig farm 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, and spent the last 14 years teaching every grade level from kindergarten through community college. In addition to traveling and exploring new cultures, Griffin likes to run, hike, and play guitar. Alec plays a key role in helping students stay focused, nurtured, and engaged. Welkom, Bem Vindo, Namaste Alec!

Staff Birthday Bash

To celebrate those with birthdays in August and September, the Staff Engagement Committee held a Birthday Bash Breakfast Potluck in logo wear Friday, September 15th in the Sculpture Garden. One of the most important meals of the day, breakfast is one of our favorite ways to express our thanks for our employees. Their dedication, commitment, creativity, and hard work is what makes Cerro Coso a wonderful place to go to school and work. They are the motivators that keep students directed, focused, nurtured, engaged, connected, and valued. Great food celebrating great people.

Lady Coyote Pride

The Cerro Coso Lady Coyotes are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Currently 3rd in the Central Valley rankings the Women’s Volleyball Team has won 4 of their 5 league games. The Lady Coyotes beat the Porterville Pirates in 3 of their 4 games on September 28th. Women’s Soccer is equally strong with a standing of 5 wins to 5 loses overall landing them 4th in the Central Valley League. Check out their schedules on the CC website and don’t miss an opportunity to see these two teams in action! Cerro Coso athletics are keeping students engaged and connected and plays a vital role in a well-rounded college education.

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“We the people,” of the Student Government of Cerro Coso recognized the Constitution of the United States on Thursday, September 22nd, with a coffee

and Constitution event at 12:30 pm in the Quad. Students were invited to enjoy free coffee and croissants while the SGCC educated them on the history of the

American Constitution.The SGCC helps students stay Engaged and Connected.

Staff members l to r: Sherri Windish, Jessica Kawelmacher, Katie Bachman, Becky Rock, and Jennifer Curtis at the Birthday Bash Potluck.

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Open Education Faculty InnovatorsReprinted from issue 14 of the Library Link Fall 2017

Faculty members Ben Beshwate (History) and Sarah King (Anthropology) have freed themselves from commercial textbooks and are providing exceptional learning opportunities using alternative learning methods in their courses. Together the two saved students in their courses over $8,000 during the spring semester! “For years I have been looking for an appropriate textbook for my Modern Western Civilization class (HIST C104). Nothing on the market was adequate, but I continued to use the available textbooks with no other resources available. When I was approached by Professor Sharlene Paxton about Open Educational Resources (OER), I was quickly interested. We worked on a series of open resources, and the result is a “book” I can use in my course that is not only better than any textbook on the market today, but is also of no cost to the student. This has been a win-win for both myself and my students in HIST 104,” said Beshwate. Dr. King added “Native People of North America was a brand new class, so it seemed like a good opportunity to try an OER. The overall experience was a positive one. The students had access to the textbook from the first day. There was none of the usual lag in preparedness as students waited for financial aid checks to arrive in order to purchase books. I don’t have hard data on it, but it seemed like more students were keeping up with the reading throughout the semester as well. It was so successful that I decided to use OERs in my Intro to Sociology and Physical Anthropology courses in the future,” said Dr. King. Focused and Nurtured - taking

classes without the financial burden of textbooks allows CCCC students to stay on track and lets them know that their success matters. KUDOS to Dr. King and Associate Professor Beshwate.

Allen – Life is About Creating Yourself

New Counselor at the Ridgecrest campus Tim Allen is not the same do-it-yourself Tim Allen of televisions hit show Home Improvement, but he did ironically work for a short time at a friend’s tool

company. A California native, Allen is a first generation college student and the son of immigrants and had a truly interesting childhood growing up with a combination of two very distinct cultures. His father’s family is from Sweden and his mother’s is from Mexico. Allen says his siblings and himself take after their father and look nothing like their mother, who was often mistaken for their nanny. Born and raised in Fullerton, CA, Allen is a product of the California Community College system and completed his Associate of Arts degree at Fullerton College. While there, he participated in a study-abroad program in Cambridge, England. He then moved to Washington State where he completed his undergraduate degree in Spanish and Teaching English as a Second Language at Western Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham. While at WWU he studied abroad in Sonora, Mexico. When he graduated, he moved to the Caribbean to pursue his Master’s Degree in Education: Guidance and Counseling,

at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. For many years, Allen worked for the TRIO Programs, Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound in Puerto Rico. After many years on the island, he returned to California to care for his ailing father. He later returned to the field of education and has worked for Citrus, Golden West, and Fullerton Colleges as an adjunct counselor and admissions technician for the last 13 years. In his spare time, he enjoys riding his dirt bike through the desert, playing his guitar and piano, or reading a good book. But Allen and his wife Cynthia dedicate most of their free time tending to the needs and wants of their 3 small boys: Vincent (4), Eli (2), and Liam (1). Whether he is spelunking in a cavern in Arizona, climbing a pyramid in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, or scuba diving in Puerto Rico, this adventurist says he has “found a new home at Cerro Coso.” Directed and Focused: Allen specializes in helping our student athletes to train for success. WELCOME Tim!

The Coyote Howler is a publication ofCerro Coso Community College.

For more information about the stories in this publication, or to include information in this publication, contact Natalie

Dorrell, Public Information Manager, at 760-384-6260 oremail ndorrell@cerrocoso.edu.

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About this Publication

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Star Party an Astronomical SuccessHigh above the city lights, perched on the hill, on the darkest night, the Cerro Coso Community College Dr. Alex Shlanta Observatory proved the perfect setting for a night of good food, great music, planetary education, and fundraising. The stars were shining bright with minimal light, providing an ideal venue for stargazing during the Annual Astronomical Barbecue and Star Party on Friday, September 22, 2017. Professional astronomers and enthusiasts from the college and local China Lake Astronomical Society were on hand to share their expertise and assist the more than 350 participants to explore the celestial bodies in the night sky. The CCCC Administration and CCCC Foundation team up every year for the signature, family friendly fundraising event. Dinner was prepared on the front lawn of the LRC and Treacherous Edges provided musical entertainment. As the summer begins to wind down, the September skies are perfect for exploration. This year’s event was fun and educational for the whole family. All proceeds will enhance Cerro Coso’s ability to provide the community with valuable services. Engaged, Connected, and Valued – Events like the Star Party are a great way to connect the community to the students and work of the college and provides an avenue to serve others.

FOUNDATIONFEATURE

Faculty members Frank Timpone, Karen O’Connor, and Tony Damiano pose for a photo at the star party photobooth.

Rock painting was a galactic hit with the children who attended this year’s star party.

Porterville President Bill Henry and his wife Gina were shining stars in our constellation Friday night having driven all the way from Porterville to attend Cerro Coso’s event.