The Campus Connection Online...November 3, 2008

MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER TO VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4!

“Habits of Mind” Campaign Kicks Off to a Packed House
Cerritos College Faculty Senate President, Dr. Bryan Reece, introduced the “Habits of Mind” campaign plan on Thursday after almost three years of surveys, focus groups, discussions and meetings all focused on perfecting the plan...

Recent Addition to Cerritos College gets Seal-of-Approval from the Chancellor’s Office
The California Community College's Chancellor’s Office has officially approved the new Insurance Career Program at Cerritos College...

College Web Site gets New Video Guide Designed to Help Students
The Public Affairs Office, in conjunction with the school’s Media Services Department, has created and posted a new Cerritos College campus video guide on the homepage of the school’s Web site...

Proposition 8 Debate Fills-Up Teleconference Center
The Cerritos College Faculty Senate Civic Education Initiative presented the “The Debate on Prop 8” to a crowded teleconference center on Thursday...

Cerritos College gets a Visit from Candace Gingrich
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) activist, Candace Gingrich, attended a Cerritos College Gay-Straight Alliance Club (GSA) meeting on Wednesday, October 29 to talk about the importance of voting no on Proposition’s 8 and 4...

Cerritos College Plans Events for International Education Week
As part of a state-wide initiative to promote international education, Cerritos College is celebrating “International Education Week” November 3-6...

Cerritos College to Host 11^th Annual Turkey Trot November 18
Combining a wellness event with community goodwill, Cerritos College will host its annual Turkey Trot on Tuesday, November 18. To enter the 2-mile walk/run, participants must donate at least one canned food item...

Cerritos College Art Gallery to Feature Architectonic Museography and Equivalents #2
The Art Gallery is pleased to announce Architectonic Museography and Equivalents #2: an installation by Francesco X Sequeiros of a selection of prints from El Nopal Press. The collection includes such noteworthy artists as...

Original Student Artwork for Sale
Attendees can enjoy high-quality artwork, including ceramics, sculpture, wood, painting, jewelry and more. Pieces will be sold at prices ranging from a few dollars to $100. The Art Sale will take place in the Student Center, North Stage on Sunday, December 7...

Cerritos College Theatre to Present ¿De Dónde?
The Cerritos College Theatre Department is delighted to present ¿De Dónde?. This hard-hitting play focuses on the plight of immigrants fleeing northward in search of the fabled “American Dream”, but who encounter a much crueler reality...

Winter Favorites will be Performed at Holiday Choral Concert
The Holiday Choral Concert will be a concert of holiday favorites featuring performances by the Cerritos Community Choir, the St. Cyprian Chancel Choir and the Tapestry Handbell Choir...

Cerritos College Music Faculty to Perform in Gala
Cerritos College Music Department faculty members will showcase their talents in a Nov. 16 concert to raise scholarship funds for students in the applied music program...

Cerritos College Jazz Ensemble Will Perform in a Free Fall Concert
This concert will feature the Cerritos College Jazz Ensemble in an evening of traditional and contemporary jazz standards...

Music Department Announces Fall Performances
Cerritos College Music Department will showcase their talents in a variety of performances this fall. Performances will include the Cerritos College jazz band, orchestra and chorus, among others...

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Things to Note

>>>Project Love 2008
Share your love this holiday season sponsor a child!
Cerritos College's gift giving to the children of Little Singer School on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona has begun!

Come to Professor Marla Burns' office LA-D (Ext. 2808) to choose your child.
Forms for individual children, listing the children's three wishes, will be available.

Deadline this year is Monday, Nov. 3rd. Please mark your calendars.

>>>Nomination of Outstanding Faculty

Nominations for Outstanding Faculty will run from Monday, November 3 until Wednesday, December 3

Who may nominate?
All currently enrolled students and Cerritos College employees.

Who is eligible to win this award?
All certificated teaching and non-teaching faculty. This includes all full and part-time faculty, counselors, librarians and faculty in student services (Student Activities, DSPS, Career Center and Learning Assistance Program).

What is the criteria?
~Outstanding teaching, coaching or guidance
~Dedication to students and the college
~Other criteria may include:
Publications or grant writing
Club and student activities involvement
Contributions to the college through committees, special projects, volunteering, etc.
Service to the community as a representative of the college
Art exhibitions, concerts, public performances, etc.

Forms can be filled out online here or at the following locations: Admissions and Records ● Business Education ● Classroom Building (CB) ● Computer Assisted Instruction Lab (CAI) ● Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) ● Faculty Senate Office ● Fine Arts ● Health Occupations (HPEA) ● Humanities/Social Sciences ● Liberal Arts ● Library Circulation Desk ● Science Building ● Student Activities Office ● Technology Theater

>>> Have a story you'd like to see in the Campus Connection? Submit an article request.

>>> Have an event on campus that you would like people to know about? Submit an event request.

>>> Have a message for the entire campus? Submit a Daily Falcon submit form.

Recent Addition to Cerritos College gets Seal-of-Approval from the Chancellor’s Office

New Insurance Career Program gets Degree and Certificate Accreditation

For Immediate Release: October 31, 2008

Media Contact: Lesley Wheeler; Public Affairs, (562) 860-2751 ext. 7878

NORWALK, Calif. – October 31, 2008 – The California Community College's Chancellor’s Office has officially approved the new Insurance Career Program at Cerritos College.

“If the State Chancellor had not approved our program we simply could not grant a certificate of achievement or an AA degree in the insurance subject matter,” said Cerritos College Professor Michael J. Farina, co-chair of the college’s Business Accounting and Finance Department.

The Business Division at Cerritos College announced in June that it would become the first to offer a California Insurance Career Program in Southern California.

“We are thrilled to have Cerritos College join the other 17 colleges running our program in California, seeking to meet the growing demand for skilled workers in the insurance industry,” said Mike Wilson, Program Administrator of the California Insurance Careers Program.

Classes were first offered during the fall semester for this program, which is designed to provide insurance, business and communication skills to students using an industry developed curriculum, and prepare them for entry-level positions in commercial insurance.

The new program provides web-based tools designed to create links between students and employers, as well, including company profiles and resume posting opportunities.

The Business Department at Cerritos College plans to add two more classes to the program starting in the spring 2009 semester: Insurance Code and Ethics, and Personal Insurance.

For more information on this and other business department programs, visit http://cms.cerritos.edu/accounting/insurance-program or contact the Business Accounting and Finance Department Co-Chairs Debra Schmidt (562) 860-2451 ext. 2712 or Michael Farina (562) 860-2451 ext. 2730. To register for classes, call 562-860-2451 or visit www.cerritos.edu.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently nears 24,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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The Campus Connection Online...October 27, 2008

Cerritos College Student Gets More than Just a Scholarship
Katelyn Hamasaki, a double-major American history and nursing student at Cerritos College, had been told that she was suffering from a torn retina...

Cerritos College Foundation Receives Donations for Automotive Partners Building
The Cerritos College Foundation received two separate donations last week, totaling $2500, for the Cerritos College Center for Transportation Technologies...

Cerritos College Professor Takes an In-Depth Look at a Trailblazing Feminist
Those in attendance came to enjoy a book reading and discussion by history Professor Susan Oliver from her book, “Betty Friedan: The Political is Personal”...

Cerritos College Puts on Emmy-Winning Performance at Homecoming
This years Homecoming shone as bright as a 40” HD-TV. The theme of this year’s celebration was “TV Favorites”...

Cerritos College Employees Thanked with Food and Music
The Cerritos College Administration and Board of Trustees showed their appreciation to the college’s faculty and staff...

"Staying Healthy" - Weekly Healthcare Tips from Student Health and Wellness Center
“Staying Healthy” features useful tips to help you stay healthy. Our subject this week is SLEEP...

Cerritos College Plans Events for International Education Week
As part of state-wide initiative to promote international education, Cerritos College is celebrating “International Education Week” November 3-6...

Winter Favorites will be Performed at Holiday Choral Concert
The Holiday Choral Concert will be a concert of holiday favorites featuring performances by the Cerritos Community Choir, the St. Cyprian Chancel Choir and the Tapestry Handbell Choir...

Cerritos College Music Faculty to Perform in Gala
Cerritos College Music Department faculty members will showcase their talents in a Nov. 16 concert to raise scholarship funds for students in the applied music program...

Cerritos College Band Will Perform in a Free Fall Concert
The family-oriented fall concert will feature the Cerritos College Concert Band in an evening of modern and classic band medleys, marches and overtures...

Cerritos College Art Gallery to Feature Architectonic Museography and Equivalents #2
The Art Gallery is pleased to announce Architectonic Museography and Equivalents #2: an installation by Francesco X Sequeiros of a selection of prints from El Nopal Press. The collection includes such noteworthy artists as...

Music Department Announces Fall Performances
Cerritos College Music Department will showcase their talents in a variety of performances this fall. Performances will include the Cerritos College jazz band, orchestra and chorus, among others...

COMING UP IN NEXT WEEKS CAMPUS CONNECTION
Habits of Mind Campaign Kickoff coverage, Turkey Trot information and more...

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Things to Note

>>>Project Love 2008
Share your love this holiday season sponsor a child!
Cerritos College's gift giving to the children of Little Singer School on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona has begun!

Come to Professor Marla Burns' office LA-D (Ext. 2808) to choose your child.
Forms for individual children, listing the children's three wishes, will be available.

Deadline this year is Monday, Nov. 3rd. Please mark your calendars.

>>> Have a story you'd like to see in the Campus Connection? Submit an article request.

>>> Have an event on campus that you would like people to know about? Submit an event request.

>>> Have a message for the entire campus? Submit a Daily Falcon submit form.

Cerritos College Student Gets More than Just a Scholarship

Foundation Scholarship Leads to Sight-Saving Surgery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2008

Media Contact: Lesley Wheeler, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451, ext. 2287

NORWALK, Calif. – October 22, 2008 – Katelyn Hamasaki, a double-major American history and nursing student at Cerritos College, received the Robert C. Hughlett Scholarship for Students with Disabilities back in July 2008 from the Cerritos College Foundation.

As Hamasaki received the scholarship at the Foundation board meeting on Thursday, July 10, she mentioned that she was going to use the money from the scholarship for a surgery she was in desperate need of to save the use of her right eye.

She had been told that she was suffering from a torn retina that could soon lead to a complete retinal detachment if she didn’t get the surgery.

Hamasaki is one of millions of uninsured Americans that have no choice but to spend money they don’t have in order to stay healthy.

“To know there is something wrong with your health is stressful,” Hamasaki said. “The situation becomes even more stressful knowing that you don’t have health insurance or the money to cover any unforeseen medical expenses.”

Hearing about her situation, Dr. Eric Ikeda, Cerritos College Foundation vice chair and optometrist in Bellflower, talked with Hamasaki and offered her some help. Ikeda is a former board member of the Lions Eye Foundation of Southern California (LEFSC).

“I remain committed to helping those individuals who have vision problems and try to find ways to assist them through our organization,” said Ikeda. “When Katelyn spoke I was moved by her appreciation and concerned about her education. I met with her after the meeting and assured her that I would assist her in seeking help.”

Since 1963, the Lions Eye Foundation of Southern California (LEFSC) has made “Sight Conservation” their mission by “prevent[ing] avoidable blindness through education and training”.

Ikeda immediately started working with the LEFSC and Hamasaki to see what he could set up.

In the end, Hamasaki got the surgery she was in need of while the LEFSC agreed to pay the entire surgical fee of $900.

“To know that there are a group of people out there who devote their time, effort and money to helping individuals like me make sure they have healthy eyes is a comforting thought,” Hamasaki said in a thank-you letter she wrote to the Lions Eye Foundation.

“I would also like to thank Dr. Ikeda for his willingness to reach out to a student who was in need and helping to preserve my sight,” she continued.

Hamasaki, who already has two Associate of Arts degrees in history and liberal arts, plans to continue her education at UCLA where she will focus on her “real passion”, nursing. She wants to become a nurse practitioner with an emphasis in diabetes.

The Cerritos College Foundation, a non-profit organization, serves as a charitable vehicle for the community, individuals and alumni, to assist with financial support of Cerritos College. Visit the Foundation online at www.cerritos.edu/ccf.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College Foundation Receives Donations for Automotive Partners Building

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2008

Media Contact: Lesley Wheeler, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451 ext. 2287

NORWALK, Calif. - October 22, 2008 - The Cerritos College Foundation received two separate donations last week, totaling $2500, for the Cerritos College Center for Transportation Technologies.

Steve Richardson, executive director of the Cerritos College Foundation was presented with a check for $1000 from James Willingham, CEO of Boulevard Buick/Pontiac/GMC in Long Beach on Friday, October 17.

As well as being the CEO of Boulevard and former president of the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA), Willingham is an Ambassador for the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation (NADCF).

The NADCF gives a gift of at least $1000 in the name of the ambassadors every three years to an organization of the ambassador’s choice. Willingham chose the Cerritos College Foundation to be the recipient of his gift, which totaled $1500.

"We are fortunate to have an organization such as the National Auto Dealers Charitable Foundation that can support worthwhile endeavors, like the Cerritos College Center for Transportation Technologies," said Willingham. "Helping this project get off the ground will ensure future technicians will have the tools necessary to diagnose and repair the cars of tomorrow."

The college and its partners, with support of the Cerritos College Foundation, has launched a $4.8 million capital campaign for private support to help augment local bond funds provided for the $15 million expansion of the center. The proposed training center will include a $9 million renovation of the existing three-acre auto complex and a new $6 million automotive partners building that will focus on management education for the auto industry. When completed in 2009, the center will play a large role in filling the ever-changing, highly skilled employment needs of the auto industry.

Cerritos College has offered automotive technology training since the college began in 1955. Nearly 1,000 students annually seek certificate degrees and special programs in the disciplines of automotive repair, advanced transportation technologies, auto collision repair, intelligent transportation systems and alternative fuel and hybrids, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the United States. As one of ten state Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Initiative Centers, the Cerritos College Automotive Technology Program continues to be recognized as regional and state leaders by being awarded $1.2 million in program grants this year to support and expand technician education and training.

Cerritos College’s Auto Technology Program provides students with hands-on, nationally authorized training for GM, Ford, Chrysler and import vehicles, and operates a California Advanced Transportation Technology Center partially subsidized by the state to encourage development of alternative fuel sources.

The Cerritos College Foundation, a non-profit organization, serves as a charitable vehicle for the community, individuals and alumni, to assist with financial support of Cerritos College. Visit the Foundation online at www.cerritos.edu/ccf.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Original Student Artwork for Sale

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2008

Media Contact: Lesley Wheeler, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451 ext.2287

WHAT: The year's most eagerly anticipated event is coming again! The Cerritos College Art Club presents the Annual Student Art Sale and invites the community to attend. The Art Sale will take place in the Student Center, North Stage on Sunday, December 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday, December 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room FA 33, two days only! Woodworking will be participating in the sale this year.

Attendees can enjoy high-quality artwork, including ceramics, sculpture, wood, painting, jewelry and more. Pieces will be sold at prices ranging from a few dollars to $100.

The proceeds of the sale will benefit the artists, the different disciplines represented, and the Art Club programs. Previous art sales have enabled the Art Department to purchase much-needed equipment and supplies.

Both cash and check payments will be accepted.

WHEN: Sunday, December 7, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Student Center North Stage
Monday, December 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room FA 33

WHERE: Cerritos College
11110 Alondra Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650

A map of the campus is available at cerritos.edu/guide.

Free parking is available in Lot C-10.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact the Cerritos College Art Department at (562) 860-2451, ext. 2600 or ext. 2614.

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American Dream is Eyed by Cerritos College Sophomore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2008

Media Contact: Aya Abelon, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451 ext.2287

NORWALK, Calif. - October 14, 2008 -Monirath Siv, a straight-A sophomore at Cerritos College, somehow finds time to volunteer with numerous organizations while successfully working towards getting a double-major associates degree in math and chemistry.

“As a lifelong learner I want to learn more things beyond schoolwork,” said Siv. “I extend my academics by bringing my energy and skills to the community in a form of volunteering in order to experience new things.”

Siv, a Cambodian native that now lives in Long Beach, has only been in the United States for a little over two years, but has already made a bigger impact on his community than most people do in their whole lives.

He left Cambodia in 2006 in search of the American Dream. He wanted to take full advantage of all of the educational opportunities that America offers. He believes many things can be accomplished with hard work and nothing is going to stop him from being successful.

Siv arrived in the U.S. when he was a senior in high school and attended Long Beach Jordan. He had quite a difficult time adjusting to life in America and the culture shock that came with the change, but he used the courage and strength his parents armed him with to overcome the challenges he faced.

He worried he might not graduate because of the language-barrier he experienced, but just like with everything else, Siv excelled.

He ended up graduating high school on time with a perfect 4.0 and was asked by the school principle to speak as valedictorian for the Jordan High School class of 2007.

Siv’s first volunteering experience was at Jordan where 40 hours of service learning was required to graduate. It was contagious.

“During the community service my compassion has built upon itself because I’ve learned a meaningful lesson on serving others and this lesson also positively shaped my personality and life skills. I’ve continued to volunteer for many hours more than I’ve planned,” said Siv.

Siv spends time volunteering as a tutor for the AmeriCorps Program APPLE. He has a 450-hour contract with the program that he needs to complete in order to be a Project APPLE graduate. His service for this program includes tutoring students after school at Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Bellflower.

Siv also currently volunteers at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, where he has been donating his time for over a year, as well as on the Cerritos College campus at the Project HOPE health fair.

It is no mistake that he has ended up volunteering so much of his time in the health field. When Siv was still in Cambodia he knew he either wanted to become an engineer or a physician.

“Two different professional fields and I wanted to accomplish both of them,” he said. “Unfortunately I can only choose one. I am very happy that in America I can major in biomedical engineering which consists of both the medical and engineering disciplines.”

After getting his associate’s degree at Cerritos College he plans to get his bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. Some of the universities he is applying to are UC Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Cornell and Washington University in St. Louis.

Biomedical engineering will give Siv the ability to fuse his two loves together and use his engineering capabilities to serve medical purposes. He will be able to use research and technology to do things such as create artificial organs or work on creating or bettering medical imaging systems.

Experience is another reason Siv volunteers.

“I want to gain experience working with people and making myself familiar with the hospital environment,” he said. “It will be helpful to my dream of working in the medical school after completing my biomedical engineering degree.”

Siv takes two buses to get to Cerritos College. It is an hour and 20 minute journey for him, but it is definitely worth every minute. He believes the school offers him the best quality of education possible and strengthens his academic resume that he will use when it comes time to transfer.

“I feel that the school’s chemistry professors are tough, but not mean,” Siv said. “They are…the best value in education. Their exams have never been easy; they try to set high standards for everyone.”

Many faculty and staff members at Cerritos College have had a positive effect on Siv and his future. Counselor Marvelina Barcelo has aided him in his transfer plans and financial hardships, while professors, such as Smita Rawal of biology and Cheryl Shimazu of chemistry, have helped him meet his dreams and his goals.

Siv has already accomplished so much since arriving in the United States, but he knows that everyone always has something about them they can improve and he is no exception.

“At school I am always aware that I have so much to learn and I am also aware of my shortcomings,” he said. “I know I still have many weaknesses and I am working to become a stronger student every day.”

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages more than 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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