Grossmont College recognized as Champion of Higher Education

For the second year in a row, Grossmont College is being recognized as a Champion of Higher Education by the Campaign for College Opportunity for its work to significantly increase the number of students earning an Associate Degree for Transfer, an associate’s degree that guarantees transfer to a California State University institution.

“This award is an honor for Grossmont College.  It recognizes the diligence and partnership between the college and our students to help them reach their educational goals and full potential, including transfer to impacted California State University campuses,” said Grossmont College President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh.

The award for the college’s achievements during the 2018-19 academic year will be given at a Nov. 14 formal reception in Los Angeles. Grossmont College was recognized, among other factors, for the third highest percentage of  ADTs awarded in California regardless of college size.

Grossmont College Alum Diana Berriel finds new career in respiratory therapy

Diana Berriel

Diana Berriel’s career path changed when her father, diagnosed with lung cancer, was undergoing treatment at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego. “I just started talking to a respiratory therapist there, and I know it sounds cliché, but it was like a light bulb went off in my head,” Berriel said. “So I went back home and started researching the profession and found it was the perfect career.” 

The mother of four children, Berriel was 38 when she resolved to enroll at Grossmont College’s Respiratory Therapy Program, the only public program of its kind in the county. Three years later, the Spring Valley resident is now quickly progressing in a new line of work where she helps save lives almost daily. 

Berriel is one of more than 1,000 respiratory therapists who have graduated from the Grossmont College program since its inception 50 years ago this fall. Walk into any local hospital or medical center, and you’ll find a respiratory therapist trained at Grossmont College, said Rebecca Handley, the program’s director of clinical education. “We’ve had a big impact on San Diego County,” she said. 

Two finalists named for East County college district's chancellorship

Dr. LynnCeresino Neault

Dr. David Potash

Two finalists have been named for the position of chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. 

 
The finalists announced by the Governing Board Tuesday are Lynn Ceresino Neault, vice chancellor of Student Services at the San Diego Community College District, and David Potash, president of Wilbur Wright College, a community college on the northwest side of Chicago,


Chancellor Cindy Miles will retire from the district at the end of the year after 11 years at the district’s helm.

Grossmont College Respiratory Therapy program celebrating 50 years of excellence

Neil Armstrong had become the first man to set foot on the moon just one month earlier, the minimum wage was just $1.60 per hour, and 50 years ago this fall, Grossmont College launched its renowned Respiratory Therapy program with an initial cohort of 20 students.

Respiratory therapy students 

 More than 1,000 respiratory therapists have graduated from the Grossmont College program since its inception in 1969, all of whom leave the El Cajon campus with 576 hours of hands-on, clinical experience at an array of local medical centers.

 “In any hospital you go to in San Diego County, you’re going to find a graduate of the Grossmont College Respiratory Therapy program,” said Program Coordinator Peggy Wells.

 “We’ve had a big impact in San Diego County,” said Rebecca Handley, Grossmont’s director of clinical education.

 With National Respiratory Care Week beginning October 20, Grossmont College has a lot to celebrate. The El Cajon campus offers the only public, not-for-profit Respiratory Therapy program in San Diego County, and its cost of approximately $5,000 is a fraction of what private schools in the region are charging.

Grossmont College forum featuring BlueTech industry leaders

As Silicon Valley is to high tech, San Diego is to BlueTech.

So say leaders representing the region’s maritime, ocean and water industries who will gather Friday, Oct. 11, at Grossmont College for a panel discussion and networking session focusing on what they call the blue economy.

As defined by the Maritime Alliance, the blue economy is “the sum of all economic activity having to do with oceans, seas, harbors, ports and coastal zones.”

BlueTech is an emerging sector that includes science-based jobs in maritime, ocean, and water industries, said Renee Nasori, the college’s Career Services supervisor.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Grossmont students and community members to learn about the blue economy and employment opportunities, as well as network with industry experts,” Nasori said.

Register for the event at www. bluetechgrossmont.eventbrite.com

Alex Zesati: Grossmont College alum finding a passion and a career

Alex Zesati

Alex Zesati had long thought about working in the medical field; he just wasn’t certain what he wanted to focus on – at least not until he found his calling at Grossmont College. Today, thanks to the training, support and encouragement he experienced at the El Cajon campus, Zesati is building a career helping to save lives as a respiratory therapist at Rady Children’s Hospital.

“This is probably one of the best programs of its kind anywhere,” Zesati said of the college’s Respiratory Therapy Program. “It’s recognized by doctors, nurses and other respiratory therapists. And you’re never alone; there is always someone willing to help you out.”

Zesati, 25, is one of more than 1,000 respiratory therapists who have graduated from the Grossmont College program since its inception 50 years ago this fall, and today’s graduates are finding starting wages that can reach more than $20 per hour in the region. Average annual wages surpass $79,000 for experienced therapists, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Grossmont College Career Expo a big draw

The Grossmont College Career Expo is sliding into middle age.

From recessions to boom years, one of oldest and largest community college job fairs in the county has seen it all, and with the support of the college and business communities, continues its successful run with the 41st Annual Career Expo set for Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Main Quad.. It is free and open to the public.

About 80 potential employers are expected for the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. event. Several college programs will also be represented to make the event both a job fair and an opportunity to explore careers.

Grossmont alum to speak about the Slants and his band's high court victory to keep its name

There’s more to the story of The Slants than meets the eye.

That’s the message that former Grossmont College student Simon Tam, frontman for the Asian-American rock band The Slants, wants to convey when he returns to his academic home of 1999-2000 on Wednesday, Oct. 16, to give a reading and multi-media presentation of his memoir,” Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court.” Scheduled for 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in Griffin Gate as part of the English Department’s Fall Reading Series, the event is free and open to the public. 

Taxpayers group finds district's bond program to be perfectly transparent

A rendering of the Grossmont College Performing and Visual
Arts Center 

Once again, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s Proposition V bond program has received a perfect score for its transparency in providing information to the public.

The East County college district received an A+ perfect rating by the San Diego County Taxpayers Educational Foundation, which evaluated 23 school and college districts that have active bond programs. Eleven other districts also received clean scores.

The foundation praised the college district as one that is providing “proper and timely dissemination of information” and urged other school districts starting new bond programs to look to Grossmont-Cuyamaca’s model for transparency. 

The foundation’s review of the district’s Proposition R and V website found that it provided key information to the public such as annual reports, oversight committee agendas and information, a project list, and project descriptions and progress updates. Financial information such as a budget overview, itemized project expenditures, and audit reports were also available, the study determined.

“We’re keenly aware of our responsibility to demonstrate to the community that we are spending taxpayer money wisely,” said Sue Rearic, the district’s vice chancellor of business services. “This positive review reflects our commitment and accountability to the public about the transformative projects underway at our campuses.”