Cuyamaca College celebrates ribbon-cutting of revamped OH complex

 Like a shot of Miracle-Gro to a houseplant, Cuyamaca College’s expanded Ornamental Horticulture complex is expected to invigorate the campus flagship program.

A ribbon-cutting Friday celebrated the $19.4 million renovation of the site, with added indoor and outdoor classrooms and facilities, doubled square footage of building spaces, and a state-of-art, high-tech greenhouse for the college’s Ornamental Horticulture program. Also added was a separate new building housing the nursery’s retail shop, along with office and meeting rooms.

“We are proud of our stellar graduates who are prepared to take on jobs in the green industry in our region and beyond,” college President Julianna Barnes said to about 80 attendees gathered for the mid-morning celebration. “These facilities will help our students work in classrooms and outdoor spaces that model the professional world.”

This project, started in August 2019, was funded by Proposition V, a $398 million construction bond measure passed by East County voters in 2012 to improve and add facilities at Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges to meet student needs.

College District retains trustee boundaries

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s trustee area boundaries will remain unchanged, after a thorough review of 2020 Census population and demographic data.

The Governing Board voted to retain the district’s five trustee area boundaries at a meeting last week, following public hearings Aug. 17, Oct. 12, and Nov. 9.

The district contracted with Redistricting Partners, a Sacramento-based firm, to analyze to what extent population and demographics had changed between the 2010 Census and 2020 Census. Redistricting Partners found minimal changes, noting that the district’s boundaries were well-drawn and aligned with communities of interest including school districts and cities. Overall, the district’s population increased from 465,050 in 2010 to 498,019 in 2020, or by about 7 percent, with population gains spread across the five trustee areas. The district also saw less than significant demographic changes.

The district stretches from the cities of Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove, and communities of Lakeside, Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley, east to the Imperial County line.

For additional information on the district’s Redistricting process, visit Trustee Areas and Redistricting.

 

 

 

Grossmont College, District win marketing, PR awards

 

Grossmont College and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District have won seven awards from a national marketing and public relations organization.

The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations’ District 6 announced the 2021 Medallion awards, including two first-place wins for photography and writing, last week. The organization represents more than 1,700 marketing and public relations professionals at nearly 650 community and technical colleges across the United States and Canada. District 6 includes community colleges across Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Territory of Guam.

The annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication by community colleges.

Grossmont College dance concert at PVAC

 The Grossmont College Dance Department will stage its annual student-choreographed dance concert in the new Performing and Visual Arts Center (PVAC) on November 18, 19, and 20.

Titled “Breaking Boundaries,” the yearly fall-semester concert will highlight a variety of genres – including hip hop, ballet, jazz, and tap – choreographed by Grossmont College dance majors.

The PVAC is a $44 million facility funded by East County voters through Proposition V, a $398-million bond measure approved in 2012 that includes a 390-seat performance hall for dance, theatre, and live music programs. It also houses the campus’ Hyde Art Gallery.

Grossmont College a Champion of Higher Education

Grossmont College has been named a 2021 Champion of Higher Education for its exemplary work in implementing the Associate Degree for Transfer program that provides a streamlined pathway between California’s community colleges and four-year colleges and universities.   

Grossmont College will be honored at a November 16 Champions of Higher Education Celebration sponsored by the Campaign for College Opportunity, which noted the El Cajon campus is among the state’s top performers in associate degrees for transfer awarded per 50 full-time students.

Grossmont College makes Top 100 list for Hispanic graduates

Grossmont College was named No. 73 – out of more than 900 community colleges in the country – for the number of associate degrees awarded to Latinx students during the 2019-2020 academic year in Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine’s 2021 Top 100 issue.

Grossmont College was also recognized as No. 64 in the country for Latinx student enrollment during the same period.

“Grossmont College is a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to getting it right, serving our students, and making an impact,” said Grossmont College President Denise Whisenhunt. “That these rankings come after we held an inspirational series of music and dance performances, workshops, and panel discussions both in-person and online to celebrate and honor another Latinx Heritage Month makes this recognition even sweeter.”

College District appoints vice chancellor

 Sahar Abushaban, a veteran administrator with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, has received permanent appointment as Vice Chancellor-Business Services following a two-year interim term.

Her selection to the post, announced by Chancellor Lynn Neault, is effective Nov. 1.

Abushaban brings to the role substantial experience in public education budgeting and administration, including 15 years with the college district. She first began at the district in 2006 as a financial analyst, and went on to serve as Interim Director of District Business Services. She was appointed Associate Vice Chancellor-Business Services in 2011. She then served as Vice President of Administrative Services at Cuyamaca College for five years before returning to District Services.

A community college alumna, Abushaban then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from San Diego State University and a master’s in accountancy from National University.