Marsha Gable appointed interim Grossmont College president

Marsha Gable, Grossmont College’s vice president of Student Services, has been selected to serve as the college’s interim president beginning Jan. 1 following the retirement of Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh.

Gable, whose career in higher education over the past 18 includes eight months in 2019 and 2020 as interim president of San Diego Miramar College, will lead Grossmont College on an interim basis until a permanent president is selected next summer.

“Dr. Gable is a natural choice for interim president,” said Lynn Neault, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. “She has demonstrated that she has the skills and the talent to guide the college through this leadership transition.”

Volunteers sought for citizens' bond oversight committee

Two East County residents - a representative of a senior citizen group and an individual with expertise in finance or accounting -- are needed to fill a pair of vacancies on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s citizens’ bond oversight committee.

The CBOC is tasked with assuring accountability for funds connected to Proposition V, a $398 million construction bond measure approved by East County voters in 2012.

Grossmont College Office Professional Training program recruiting for Spring 2021 semester

The Office Professional Training program at Grossmont College is recruiting students for a free one-semester program that can lead to a rewarding career as an office professional.

Applicants must be California residents and desire to be placed in a job. The program offers specializations for working in Accounting, Insurance, Office/Administrative Support and at a medical office. 

Students who complete the program will earn 12 to 24 community college credit units that can be applied toward a degree or certificate. Student support services including counseling, job placement assistance and internship opportunities for graduates. 

The 17-week program begins January 12, 2021 with a two-week pretraining module. All students take the following courses: keyboarding, office procedures, job search, business English/communications, and Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Successful completers will earn the B.O.T. Certificate of Proficiency called Office Professional. Other certificates may be earned as well, depending on specialization and electives. 

Interested students should contact Candy McLaughlin at candy.mclaughlin@gcccd.edu or by calling (619) 644-7548. Information is also available on the Office Professional Training page on the Grossmont College website. 

More help for students on tap as spring semester approaches

 Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are preparing for the spring 2021 semester with a focus on supporting student success through the dual impact of the pandemic and economic uncertainty. 

The spring semester begins Feb. 1 with some intersession classes to be held Jan. 4-30 during the semester break. Registration begins Monday, Nov.16, for returning students, and Wednesday, Dec. 2, for new students enrolling at the East County colleges.

Trustee Bill Garrett lauded at his final board meeting

As Tuesday night’s board meeting drew to a close, so did a chapter in college district history with the retirement of Bill Garrett, a beloved and esteemed member of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board for more than 16 years.

Noted for his unwavering commitment to the college district and especially its students, Garrett was thanked by fellow trustees and colleagues at his final meeting held virtually because of the pandemic. He was applauded for his steady leadership as board president between 2008 and 2018 and the example he set for respect and civil discourse.

Grossmont College named Champion of Higher Education

For the third 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 degree that guarantees transfer to a California State University institution.

 

“We are honored to receive this award for the third year in a row,” said Grossmont College President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh. “Our college is proud to have shown leadership in transfer success and helping our students find their paths to a California State University campus. As the No. 1 transfer institution to San Diego State University, we are also gratified to see their campus honored among the CSUs.”

Grossmont College student Robert White: meeting the challenge

Robert White’s goal of working as an occupational therapy assistant with children who have special needs has been challenged by the pandemic.

While taking classes at Grossmont College, White had been handling a caseload of young clients so he could support himself and his new wife. When the pandemic hit, his caseload was cut in half and his billings were dramatically reduced.

White said the scholarships he received through the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges helped him stay in school and pay his bills.

“It made me feel like all of the hard work I was doing was acknowledged,” White said of receiving the three scholarships. “It made me motivated to keep going and finish.”

White, 35, already had a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the State University of New York at Brockport and was working with special-needs children when he decided to move to San Diego 10 years ago. He enrolled in the occupational therapy assistant program at Grossmont College after seeing the work that occupational therapists did with the children.

Free fresh meals provided to Grossmont College students

Grossmont College announced a new partnership with San Diego-based nonprofit Kitchens for Good to provide free fresh meals to students each week. The East County community college is the first to become a Project Nourish College partner, with its first distribution taking place from noon-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29.

 

“We know that the pandemic has deeply affected community college students’ families and their livelihoods. From rent to food, many of our students are having a difficult time making ends meet,” said Marsha Gable, Grossmont College Vice President of Student Services. “We hope that this new partnership can help provide some relief to our students so that they can continue to transform their lives through education.”

Grossmont College, district capture NCMPR gold Medallions

Grossmont College and the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District have won a trio of first-place 2020 Medallion awards from District 6 of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations.

District 6 includes community colleges in 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. This year’s winners were announced during a virtual District 6 awards celebration.