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. 

College district staffers lauded for worker excellence

From left: Laura Murphy, Francys Ropohl and Janice Fischer

 A 37-year employee with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, a health and safety specialist who became a go-to expert on COVID-19 and an administrative assistant on a mission to help tackle students’ food insecurities were lauded at a district Governing Board meeting Tuesday night for worker excellence.

Laura Murphey, a business analyst with the District’s Information Technology; Francys Ropohl, health and safety specialist with Cuyamaca College; and Janice Fischer, an administrative assistant with Grossmont College’s Career and Technical Education/Workforce Development (CTE/WD) office, each received the 2021-2022 Chancellor and Classified Senate Award recognizing the excellence of classified, or non-instructional, staff at the East County college district. All three are also graduates of Grossmont College.

“This trio represents the best of our classified professionals whose skills, knowledge and collaborative efforts help us to better serve students and the community,” Chancellor Lynn Neault said. “The three award recipients strongly reflect the priority of building community within our institution in the work that they do.”

Cuyamaca College alum selected for prestigious aerospace fellowship

A student who once struggled to find her academic footing is now looking toward a Ph.D. and a future in space exploration.

Cuyamaca College alumna and former staff member Monica Namo is one of just 51 recipients worldwide of a prestigious 2022 Brooke Owens Fellowship. Namo is currently earning her second bachelor’s degree. The coveted opportunity includes a summer internship and mentorship program for undergraduate women seeking careers in aviation or aerospace technology.

The fellowship was created in 2017 in the memory of Dawn Brooke Owens, an American pilot and space policy expert who worked with NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration and the White House.

Namo was selected out of a pool of more than 1,000 applicants after a rigorous selection process that included interviews with dozens of leading aerospace employers. Participants in the program, nicknamed “Brookies,” are selected based on their community commitment, creative abilities, record of leadership and desire to pursue a career in aerospace.

Grossmont College marks 60th Anniversary

 Grossmont College celebrated its 60th anniversary May 3 in the Main Quad with music, food, prizes and proclamations. A legislative contingent also joined in marking the big day. In attendance were: County Supervisor Joel Anderson (District 2) and staff member Paige Bounds; Zach Bunshaft from Governor Gavin Newsom's office; Jessie Schmitte from State Sen. Ben Hueso's office; Lori Brown from State Sen. Brian Jones' office and Moana Alo from Assembymember Akilah Weber's office. 

Grossmont College to host its first Refugee Job Fair

 Grossmont College will host an inaugural Refugee Job Fair on May 10 with more than two dozen employers from a wide range of industries. The event is designed to benefit a growing number of refugees settling in the region, and is open to all.

          Among the employers registered to participate are the Cajon Valley Union School District, Sycuan Casino Resort, ConAm Management, Manpower San Diego, Amazon, San Ysidro Health, Logan Heights Community Development Corporation, Handlery Hotel in Mission Valley and Goodwill Industries. The event is being organized by the Grossmont College Career Center and Grossmont College Career & Technical Education in partnership with the San Diego Workforce Partnership, International Rescue Committee, San Diego Refugee Forum, and Public Consulting Group.

          The event is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

          “This is a wonderful opportunity to build awareness for our partnered employers and assist underserved participants with in-demand jobs,” said Career Services Supervisor Renee Nasori. “We are having a huge impact helping individuals achieve their dreams and reach their career aspirations.”

Get ahead during summer session

 Registration for the summer session will open to all students on May 2, and both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are adding resources to help students earn units.

Affordable, flexible, and fast classes will be offered both online and in-person for the summer at both colleges, and students can choose online or in-person learning. These 

summer courses offer community college students great opportunities to advance their education and training, but they’re also valuable for students in the University of California and California State University systems who wish to complete required courses during the summer and enhance their overall college experience. The summer session begins June 13 and wraps up Aug. 4, with classes ranging from a few days to eight weeks.