College district names 2 top administrators

Kerry Kilber Rebman, left, Nikki Salgado

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has selected two administrators to fill top leadership posts.

Nicole “Nikki” Salgado has been chosen as Vice President of Administrative Services at Cuyamaca College, and Kerry Kilber Rebman as Associate Vice Chancellor of Technology for GCCCD.

“Nikki and Kerry will provide strong leadership to ensure that we are providing the highest quality programs and services to students and broader communities in East County,” said Chancellor Lynn Neault. “I’m thrilled to welcome them to their new leadership positions, and I look forward to working closely with them.”

GCCCD to launch drone program

 Students will soon be able to attain a certificate in the high-demand and high-pay field of drone operations at the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.

Students line up for a class photo taken by a drone.

The field is in great need of highly trained workers, and college and district leaders partnered with business professionals across the region to develop the free new program. The district has long been a leading job generator in East County. Similar drone operations program supported by the U.S. Department of Labor ended last fall, after temporary grant funding stopped. The district’s governing board voted in March to expand the program this fall.

Grossmont College caps yearlong initiative promoting random acts of kindness

 One employee was recognized for putting together goodie bags for the homeless. Several others received a shout-out for volunteering to read to toddlers at the campus Child Development Center. A student was saluted for filming a video of sunrises and sunsets and collecting sand in a small bucket for an elderly senior who had shared his dismay about not being able to visit or walk on the beach during the pandemic. All are among those being acknowledged and honored as part of the Grossmont College Random 60 initiative, a yearlong endeavor highlighting 60 random acts of kindness taking place during the college’s 60th anniversary.

          “Grossmont College has been an integral part of East County for the past six decades, and we launched this undertaking to shine a light on the goodness that permeates our campus and remind us of all the good we have done and will continue to do for our community,” said Grossmont College President Denise Whisenhunt. “It has certainly been inspiring.”

Cuyamaca, Grossmont colleges return to in-person commencements

 After two years of virtual commencements, Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges are going live and in full regalia in June, with 500-plus more graduates than last year, celebrating the return of in-person ceremonies.

Some 2,325 students are set to receive 5,203 degrees and certificates in processionals to be held Wednesday, June 8, at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Communication and Arts Building at Cuyamaca College, and Thursday, June 9, at 9:30 a.m. in Parking Lot 1 in front of the Performing & Visual Arts Center at Grossmont College. The ceremonies will also be livestreamed, for Grossmont College at www.grossmont.edu/commencement, and for Cuyamaca College at https://youtu.be/Imh9qJEeu8s.

“With the lifting of pandemic restrictions, we are joyfully anticipating the time-honored ritual of commencement, of hugs and tears of happiness as our graduates walk one by one to mark a tremendous achievement,” said Chancellor Lynn Neault. “The perseverance of our graduates emerging from a difficult era of COVID-19 is reflected in every degree and certificate earned.”

Cuyamaca College researcher named statewide Classified Employee of the Year

 

A Cuyamaca College Research and Planning analyst and president of the campus’ Classified Senate will be honored Monday by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors in Sacramento with this year’s statewide Classified Employee of the Year award.

Katie Cabral is one of just seven classified, or non-instructional, staff members throughout California to be recognized for demonstrating the highest level of commitment to the mission of the state’s community colleges.

“Since she began her work in research and planning with t
he Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District in 2016, Katie has stood out as an exceptionally talented and dedicated classified professional,” said Chancellor Lynn Neault. “It was only after working for one year for our district that she received our local equivalent award for classified professionals. I am thrilled to see her now receive statewide recognition for her trademark commitment and excellence.”

Grossmont College Theatre Arts season closes with 'All in the Timing'

 

The award-winning Stagehouse Theatre at Grossmont College wraps up its 2021-2022 season with a production of “All in the Timing.” The production was written by David Ives
and directed by Grossmont College theatre arts instructor and Broadway actor Geno Carr. Opening night is May 19 at 7:30 p.m.

 Winner of the John Gassner Memorial Playwriting Award, this critically acclaimed evening of comedy comprises six, one-act plays that combine wit, intellect, satire, and just plain fun. Carr recently joined the North American tour of “Come From Away,” reprising the role of Oz and others that he originated for the Tony Award-winning play on Broadway. Musical direction for the production is by Nancy Snow Carr, a soprano who has been singing, performing, and teaching professionally for the past two decades. 

Student exhibit at Hyde Art Gallery

The Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College unveils its final display of the academic year with its annual Spring Student Art Exhibition from May 16 through June 1. A reception is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Gallery, which is located in Grossmont College’s Performing and Visual Arts Center, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, in El Cajon.

  “We show the works of regional and national artists all year long, but the show that gets the most recognition and attention has always been the Student Art Exhibitions,” said gallery coordinator Alex Decosta. “It’s really exciting to see the work that comes in.” 

The recurring exhibition highlights the most innovative art and design projects produced by Grossmont College students throughout the semester, including ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, jewelry, digital media, and photography.