Cuyamaca, Grossmont colleges welcome donations to food pantries

Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have long been filling the minds of students with knowledge. Now they are looking to help fill their stomachs as well, and are seeking the public’s help.

Studies, including a survey of the two colleges, have shown that food insecurity among college students is a significant problem, so the campuses are both setting up food pantries to help needy students. 

Cuyamaca College’s Harvest Pantry started Monday, the first day of the fall semester. Grossmont College’s Gizmo Kitchen kicks off Friday, Aug. 25, with a noon-2 p.m. grand opening in Griffin Gate in the student center. 

 Both pantries are located in health services offices in each college’s student center. (Bldg. 60-130 at Grossmont College; I-134 at Cuyamaca College.)

"These food pantries are critically needed at our colleges,” said Chancellor Cindy Miles. “We assist students in other ways through scholarships and emergency grants for unexpected expenses, but until now, we haven’t had the resources to help with basic sustenance. Students who are hungry can’t focus on their studies.”

Chaldean culture, food, traditions at Cuyamaca College

Leaders of the thriving Chaldean community in San Diego’s East County will be on hand for a special Chaldean Culture & Traditions celebration at Cuyamaca College on Monday, Aug. 28.

The event sponsored by the Cuyamaca College Student Affairs Office and the Associated Students of Cuyamaca College is set to start at 2 p.m. on the Grand Lawn. Highlights include an abundance of Chaldean food, music and dance. Among the scheduled speakers is Mar Bawi Soro, Vicar General for the Chaldean Catholic Cathedral, the seat for the Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, in El Cajon.

District builds its tradition of high marks for Prop. V construction program

The expansion of chiller plant at Grossmont College

For the third year in a row, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has received outstanding marks for providing open information about its Proposition V construction bond program.
 
The district received 24 out of 25 points possible from the San Diego Taxpayers Educational Foundation for the transparency of GCCCD’s Prop. V program. The taxpayers foundation released its annual transparency scorecard July 25 for the 23 school and college districts in San Diego County with active facilities bond programs.

Cuyamaca College student on track for medical school

Niall-Conor Garcia

You won’t find too many students aiming to go straight from a community college to medical school. But not too many community college students are like Niall-Conor Garcia.

The Cuyamaca College scholar already has a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Southern California and recently secured a master’s degree in professional composition and orchestration through an online program offered by the University of Chichester in Sussex, England. He’s even tried his hand at musical theater and wrote the soundtrack for a few independent films.

Boot camp for students studying STEM being held at Cuyamaca College

  Talk about starting off with a bang. 

 

Lab tech Niall-Conor Garcia poses as a victim as
Professor Laurie LeBlanc points to evidence

      A STEM Summer Boot Camp introducing a group of Cuyamaca College students to the dedication required in studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics got under way July 24 with a classic whodunit – the discovery of a “victim” felled by a bullet and a directive to work as a team in collecting blood samples, analyzing DNA and engaging in an abundance of research over the following three weeks to solve the faux crime. 

       Call it CSI Cuyamaca College. Seventeen students are taking part in the boot camp, which runs through Aug. 11 and involves extensive lab work combined with a crash course in technical reading and writing.  

    

Cuyamaca College career education programs honored for boosting careers and earnings

      A trio of Cuyamaca College career education programs are being honored by the California Community Colleges system for providing students with the skills needed in new higher-paying jobs. 

Cuyamaca College Environmental Health & Safety class

       Cuyamaca’s Water & Wastewater Technology and Environmental Health & Safety programs were commended because virtually every student taking part in those career readiness efforts have found a job in their field of study and are boosting their earnings by 77 percent, according to data collected by the California Community Colleges. Cuyamaca’s Ornamental Horticulture program was commended because 76 percent of participating students working in the profession are earning the regional living wage.  

       “Cuyamaca College provides among the largest and most effective workforce development programs in East County, and we’re honored to be recognized by the California Community Colleges system for our efforts in providing students with the skills they need to find good jobs in a rapidly changing economy,” said Cuyamaca College President Julianna Barnes. 

Ford ASSET graduates to navigate new roads

Graduates of Cuyamaca College's Ford ASSET program

Last week’s commencement of the first Ford ASSET graduates at Cuyamaca College since 2013 was a double cause for celebration. The 16 students were the first to graduate since the program was brought back from a two-year hiatus and a new class is set to begin in the fall with online innovations designed to draw students from beyond San Diego County.
Cuyamaca College’s automotive technology program, which enrolls an average of 300 students each semester, is highly regarded because of its industry-recognized certifications. In addition to strong support from Ford Motor Co. for the ASSET (Automotive Student Service Education Training) program, which provides vehicles, tools and a partnership with Cuyamaca College dating back to 1986, the automotive technology program also enjoys industry backing from General Motors for the GM ASEP (Automotive Service Educational Program).