Cerro Coso Providing Second Chance to Prisoners Twenty-five inmates from the California City Correctional Facility have become the first graduates of a prison based education program that awarded them associate degrees from Cerro Coso Community College in 2018. Students enrolled in the program are taught the same courses their Cerro Coso professors teach in the classrooms on campus and online. In addition to the 25 graduates 63 qualified for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society. To be invited to join PTK a student must have completed a minimum of 12 units and hold a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Offering hope for a better future, the Prison Education Program is designed to help students transition back into society upon release, effectively

reducing recidivism. Each year, hundreds of thousands of formerly incarcerated individuals are released back into society. Along with a high rate of incarceration, the U.S. also has a high rate of recidivism, meaning those who have been incarcerated are likely to return to prison after their release. “In higher education we see the potential in everyone,” said KCCD Chancellor to the graduates. “Our challenge

is getting those individuals to see the potential within themselves.” Cerro Coso’s Prison Education program provides an opportunity for success after incarceration, and improves the safety of prisons and communities. Directed. Focused. Nurtured. Engaged. Connected. Valued.

January/February 2019

Cerro Coso Providing Second Chance to Prisoners 1

Bloom - Be Honest, Open, and Willing 2

Nursing Pinning Ceremony: A Rite of Passage 2

Angel Tree Event Brings Smiles During Finals 3

Administrative Assistant Barnett 3

Walls New System Support Specialist 3

Adjunct Milestones Celebrated 3

December Meet and Greet RecognizesAchievements 4

Kelly Joins CDC 4Foundation Feature: Meet Foundation President-Elect Alexia Svejda 4

Inside this Issue

Prison Recidivism Rates: 86% for those with no education

43% for those who participate in college programs 16% for those with an Associate’s Degree

6% for those with a Bachelor’s Degree 0% for with a Master’s Degree

*2013 Rand Corporation Study

Distinguished guests included: (front seated) Warden George Jaime, Cerro Coso President Jill Board, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation(CDCR) Superintendent Shannon Swain, CDCR Director of Rehabilitation Brant Choate, and CDCR Principal Dr. Lincoln Johnson. (Far right standing) KCCD Chancellor Thomas Burke.

Bloom – Be Honest, Open, and Willing Cerro Coso announced the appointment of William Bloom as the director of Financial Aid and Admissions and Records. Bloom started his vocation in higher education after a career in the private sector. He worked for the University of New Mexico as a Financial Aid and Scholarships Manager and taught Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences part-time. He went on to serve as the Director of Financial Aid at Angelo State University in Texas for three years, prior to moving to California where he most recently worked as the Associate Dean for Financial Aid and Scholarships at Santa Monica College. Bloom, who assumed his appointment in January, comes with an extensive background in both financial aid and admissions. “At the two-year level, I have found that our students need us and our services much more to help them persist and graduate,” stated Bloom. “I value that and it motivates me daily.” A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) candidate in Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences, ABD from the University of New Mexico, Bloom holds a Master’s in Public Administration and Human Resource Management from the University of New Mexico, and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Bethel College. His doctoral research focused on nontraditional students and the challenges encountered in public higher education. Bloom says

his greatest accomplishment in life is raising his two sons, Jake and Will, by himself. An avid motorcyclist having toured throughout the Midwest and Southwest, Bloom also enjoys hiking, bicycling, and skiing. “I am thrilled about Bill’s appointment,” said Heather Ostash, Vice President of Student Services. “His vast experience in higher education, collaborative leadership style, and deeply caring attitude will benefit our students and their families tremendously.” Bloom and his wife Sharon will make Ridgecrest their home. Welcome Bill. Focused. Nurtured.

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Nursing Pinning Ceremony: A Rite of Passage Success has been achieved by 13 students at the Ridgecrest/IWV campus and 14 students at the ESCC Bishop campus in the Vocational Nursing Program at Cerro Coso Community College. A formal Capping and Nursing Pinning was held on Friday, December 7th, in the College Lecture Center for the Ridgecrest students and Wednesday, December 5th, for the Bishop students. “The nursing ceremony is a well-known and honored event. Students start planning for this ceremony very early in their three-semester program,” stated Matt Wanta, Vocational Nursing Director at Cerro

Coso. For a nursing student, being pinned signifies completion. The tight bonds made with peers and faculty members – and the prospect of beginning a professional career in nursing – fuel the ceremony with emotion. The path to becoming a nurse is long, steep and sometimes rocky and the ceremony provides validation that the difficult and adventuresome college experiences have been achieved. The pinning and capping is a beautiful tradition that welcomes graduates into the world of professional nursing. Directed. Focused. Nurtured. Engaged. Connected. Valued.

Ridgecrest Campus cohort (pictured above) not in order: Alexis Boske, Maria Renate Gaivoronski, Jessi House, Kayla Linton, Ma’aka Luma’ava, Mashel Lyon, Mary Katie Maguina, Tammy Sue McKinney, Rondra Dee Morrison, Martha Paz, Jonathan Shaw, Brenda Isabel Solis, and Dulce Trujillo.

Bishop Campus cohort (pictured below) not in order: Jonathan Aguilera, Theresa Bell, Rylie Cottriel, Renée Hartsman, Julia Loera, Shelby Logan, Michelle Mendiola, Pablo Muro, Laura Parker, Guadalupe Rios, Alejandra Ruiz-Ariás, Jay TeSlaa, Frankie Vidrio, and Thomas Yeomans.

Adjunct Milestones Celebrated The successful growth of Cerro Coso is the direct result of our valued employees. Their dedication and commitment serves as a vital link in the chain that drives what we do in education. In recognition of that commitment, the college celebrated adjunct faculty longevity during spring faculty flex training on Friday, January 11. The significant accomplishments of the following adjunct faculty careers at the Cerro Coso were celebrated: 10 semesters – Christina Christenson-Rockwell; 20 Semesters – Jorge Martin, Deborah Lurie, Joy Donoho, and Christopher Harper; 30 semesters – Linda Middleton and Anthony Damiano. Those present received a longevity pin and certificate as a symbol of the college’s appreciation for their dedication and loyalty. “People are and always will be our greatest asset,” said President Jill Board. “You are all important members of our team and your abilities and contributions will be an important part of our continued success.” Directed. Focused. Nurtured. Engaged. Connected. Valued.

COYOTE HOWLER 3

Walls New System Support Specialist Please join us in congratulating Braxton Walls on his permanent position as a System Support Specialist I at Cerro Coso. A native of Ridgecrest, Walls is a 2007 graduate of the college earning his Associates Degree in General Education. In addition to his computer skills, Walls is a digital artist, musician, performer, and life-long skateboard enthusiast. He enjoys producing music and DJing, as well as creating visuals used in live performances. Welcome Braxton! Focused. Nurtured.

Angel Tree Event Bring Smiles During Finals The holidays present a dizzying array of demands – parties, shopping, baking, cleaning and entertaining, and for college student final exams. Exams are stressful enough, and all the festive activities, don’t make preparing and studying for exams any easier. Every year, Access Programs hosts an Angel Tree party for students in the program, providing an afternoon away from the stress of finals to enjoy some fun and activities with their families. With compassionate hearts and selfless acts of kindness, Cerro Coso staff and friends donate gifts for every child in attendance, recognizing the sacrifices they make while their parent’s pursue an education. Santa Claus sat next to his trusted Elf handing out gifts as the children waited patiently and squealed in delight. Peer mentors and staff assisted the children in making holiday crafts, and festive music helped light up the lives of the students and children in attendance. Focused. Nurtured. Engaged. Connected. Valued.

Santa cannot help but smile holding Holdyn Leuschen, son of Cerro Coso student Ariana Sullivan, during the 2018 Angel Tree event at the college.

Adjunct Psychology Instructor Christina Christenson-Rockwell receives her longevity pin and certificate from CCCC President Jill Board.

Administrative Assistant Barnett

Tanner Barnett is the new Administrative Assistant to Heather Ostash, the Vice President of Student Services. He is excited about his new position, having formerly been a temporary employee in Human Resources and Job Development Specialist. A native of Ridgecrest, Barnett attended Cerro Coso from 2013 -2015 earning Associate's in Arts degrees in Business Administration, and

Liberal Arts: Arts and Humanities. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Historical Musicology, Classical Guitar Performance, and Piano Performance at California State University, Northridge. In his spare time, Barnett attends concerts, plays music, and loves playing with his cats. Welcome to the Cerro Coso Team, Tanner. Nurtured. Engaged. Connected. Valued.

December Meet and Greet Recognizes Achievements

The Coyote Howler is a publication of Cerro Coso Community College. For more information about the stories in this publication, or to include information in this publication, contact Natalie Dorrell, Public Relations

Director, at 760-384-6260 or email ndorrell@cerrocoso.edu.

BAKERSFIELD COLLEGE

CERRO COSOCOMMUNITY COLLEGE

PORTERVILLE COLLEGE

About this Publication

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Meet Foundation President-Elect Alexia Svejda

Alexia Svejda is a native Idahoan who has called the Antelope Valley home since 1999. She recently became an Economic Development Specialist for Kern County representing the East Kern region and serves as the president and executive director of the California City Chamber of Commerce and president elect of the Cerro Coso Community College Foundation board. Alexia holds a bachelors in

German from Utah State University, a masters in Bilingual-Bicultural Studies from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and a certificate of Nonprofit Management from Duke University. Alexia started her career teaching English at the Defense Language Institute. She continued in the education field as a teacher trainer for the states of Texas and Colorado and as the director of an adult literacy program. Many moves due to her spouse’s career resulted in an eclectic resume. While Alexia never quite left teaching, she made the change over to nonprofit management and consulting. She specializes in rebuilding struggling organizations and establishing new nonprofits. In her current position she is passionate about bring positive change to her local community and area. Alexia also taught and rewrote the curriculum for Adult English as a Foreign Language classes at Cerro Coso. Focused. Nurtured. Valued.

FOUNDATIONFEATURE

L to r: Michael Cowley, Braxton Walls, Mark Lathrop, Crystal Leffler, Joseph, Chris , Mike Campbell, Kristi Jansson, Lisa Couch, Rudy Solidarios, John Daly, and Natalie Dorrell.

Cerro Coso closed out the year with a holiday potluck. The festive season is a great time to recognize staff milestones and accomplishments, meet new staff, enjoy good food, and have some fun. The December meet and greet was all that and more. Minute to win it games brought out the laughter and competitive nature in everyone, and a reindeer antler making competition conveyed a great deal of appreciation for each other’s skills. Recognition was given to the Vice President of Administration Services and Finance Lisa Couch, Maintenance and Operations, Information Technology, and Communications for their role in the oversight, coordination, and implementation of the transition back into the main building. Overseeing the planning, design, construction, and implementation, these teams navigated through the challenges and obstacles along the way with professionalism, integrity, and commitment to safety. “Everyone played an important part in the success of this move and the minimal impact it had on students” said President Jill Board to those present. “But it wouldn’t have happened so seamlessly without their planning, coordination, flexibility, and execution.” Focused. Nurtured.

Kelly Joins CDCPreparing nutritious meals and snacks for picky eaters is no easy task, but new Child Development Center Food Coordinator Koree Kelly is up for the challenge. Raised in Ridgecrest, Kelly is a 1999 graduate of Burroughs High School and attended Cerro Coso for one year before transferring to Clayton College of Natural Health where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Holistic Nutrition. The mother of three

daughters, Kelly’s work plays a critical role in creating a healthy food environment so children can flourish in their studies at the college CDC. Welcome Koree! Focused. Nurtured. Connected.