A newsletter for Coastal Bend College employees, students and community members
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CBC Pleasanton student featured in Seventeen magazine's prom issue
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CBC welcomes Carrillo and Warner to Board of Trustees
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Longtime CBC employee Gloria Rincon retires after 31 years of dedicated service
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CBC's Quality Enhancement Plan focuses on providing students with the tools to succeed
8-11
All-Stars: Meet the some of the talented men on this year's CBC baseball team
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Alumni Feature: Dr. Kerry Keith Mix explains why he's passionate about community colleges
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VAST helps local students embark on a career in the welding field
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The CBC Foundation welcomes new members; awards first round of Innovative Teaching Grants
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Agreement Between Island University and Coastal Bend College Makes Transferring Easier for Students
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CBC Drafting and Design Technology students visit industry leaders as part of annual field trip
CBC men's baseball is back after a 29 year hiatus, and many Coastal Bend area athletes are on the team. Read more on pages 8-11.
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Coastal Bend College President Dr. Beatriz T. Espinoza CBC Board of Trustees Paul Jaure Carroll Lohse Louise Hall Martha Warner Victor Gomez Laura Fischer Bryce Carrillo
Happy 2014! Coastal Bend College brought in the New Year with a greater appreciation for our students. As a College reaching 50 years old in 20152016 we are taking a look back at what has made us so successful, and bottom line– it’s our students. As a small, rural College we have graduated over 25,000 students and this spring we expect another graduating class of over 700 students. So in 2014 we are growing programs, services, and student success in honor of our alumni and in support of student excellence. Every year students get the opportunity to advance in their educational pathway or enter into the workforce and commit even greater contributions to our economy. It supports a cycle of paying it forward.
Vice President of Student and Administrative Services Velma Elizalde Vice President of Instruction and Economic Development Dr. Kyle Wagner Dean of Academics Dr. Twila Johnson Dean of Administration Kathlyn Patton Dean of Student Services Pete Trevino Dean of Workforce Training Julia Garcia Director of Business Services Susana Morón CBC Foundation Executive Director Patricia Patel CBC Forum Articles/Photography/Design Monica Cruz Manager of Marketing & Public Relations Media representatives may use all or part of any article within this publication. Appropriate credit must be provided, as well as a tearsheet. High resolution images can be provided, upon request. For more information, contact mcruz@ coastalbend.edu or call (361) 354-2258. For more information about Coastal Bend College, visit our website at www.coastalbend.edu or call toll free (866) 722-2838. Coastal Bend College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, Telephone Number (404) 679-4501] to award associate degrees. CBC is in compliance with Title VI and Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
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At CBC, paying it forward begins with our generous donors. These donors have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds that help students directly. In 2014 we will have over $242,670 in dedicated scholarship funds for students. Students get the benefit of scholarship dollars to invest in the college coursework they need to earn a degree. Earning a degree means students have much greater opportunities and higher salaries when entering the workforce. It pays to learn. Graduates then become successful professionals themselves and continue the cycle of paying it forward with the contributions they make back to our communities, our schools, our social and recreational activities, and in setting the expectation of College for all at CBC; now that’s a generous way to pay it forward. I invite you to join CBC and its generous donors in supporting this cycle of paying it forward. Together we make a positive difference in the lives of our students, future leaders, and contributing community members. This small town college with endless possibilities is right for you. I encourage you to stop by and begin your future now; we’ll help make it happen and you’ll get to live your dream so one day you, too can pay it forward.
@CBCFuture WINTER 2014 | 3
College news
Coastal Bend College Pleasanton student Adahmm Quiroga isn’t dwelling on not getting her first choice wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “My first choice was meeting Jacob (Taylor Lautner, pictured left) from the Twilight movies, but when they told me I’d likely only get to hang out with him for an hour, I said never mind. An hour isn’t very long, you know!” Quiroga said as she giggled. So, she moved onto her second choice—modeling for a major fashion magazine. The MakeA-Wish Foundation along with GLAM4GOOD whisked Quiroga and her family away to the Big Apple for four days, and they got to visit sights such as the Statue of Liberty and Times Square. But the highlight of the trip was definitely the day long photo shoot for Seventeen magazine’s upcoming prom issue. Quiroga said she got to try on designer dresses that have also been seen on actresses Vanessa Hudgens and Eva Longoria. The experience was truly a dream come true for a girl from a small town. “Being a model was exhausting, but it was so fun. We didn’t finish until 7 p.m. My hair and makeup were done by people who do that sort of stuff on celebrities. I felt like a celebrity though because of all the clothes and shoes. I got to bring a lot of dresses and jewelry back home to Poteet with me, and my little brother was amazed by the huge toy store in Times Square.” While being a model in New York City for a day was definitely fun for 18-year-old Quiroga, she would also like to fulfill another wish of hers. For this wish, she has the encouragement and support from the entire CBC family. “I want to be an LVN (licensed vocational nurse). All of my high school teachers recommended that I go to CBC 4 | CBC FORUM
because of the small classes and great programs. Karen Tanguma is my reading and writing teacher, and she’s so helpful and supportive. If I am not feeling well, she always understands. I have enjoyed my first semester at CBC, and I’ll be continuing my studies in spring 2014,” Quiroga said. Although Quiroga suffers from Lupus and renal failure, nothing is slowing this bright young woman down. She has her sights set on competing in the Miss Teen San Antonio pageant in 2015. To view photos from her photo shoot for Seventeen magazine, please visit www. seventeen.com/fashion/ make-a-wish-photo-shoot, and you can also look for Quiroga on the newsstands in the Seventeen magazine prom issue on newsstands now.
College news
CBC welcomes Carrillo and Warner to Board of Trustees Coastal Bend College is proud to welcome Bryce Carrillo and Martha Warner to the CBC Board of Trustees. Both of these individuals exemplify the qualities and values to help move the college forward. "I am very pleased to be working with Mr. Carrillo and Mrs. Warner in their new role as trustees of the CBC governing board," said Dr. Beatriz T. Espinoza, CBC President. "Their leadership and steadfast commitment to the community and our south Texas service area is admirable. Their knowledge of higher education and the role it plays in our community will benefit CBC greatly. I look forward to their engagement on the Board." Warner attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a baccalaureate degree in business administration before moving on to receive her Juris Doctor ( JD) from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. Her impressive legal career has spanned over three decades. Most recently she served as the Elected District Attorney
for the 156th Judicial District covering Bee, Live Oak, and McMullen counties from 2004-2012. Although Warner retired in 2013, she still prosecutes felony cases and assists the new District Attorney as needed. Warner and her husband Frank W. Warner, an attorney and owner of Southwest Land and Title Co. in Beeville, have three children: Dr. Jennifer Dharamsi, a dermatologist in Frisco, Texas; Jody Warner, Assistant District Attorney for Dallas County; and Frank W. Warner Jr., a student at Texas A&M College Station. In her spare time, Warner is an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Beeville Art Association, and a volunteer for the Joe Barnhart Scholarship Program. "I am extremely honored to have been recently appointed as a Trustee for Coastal Bend College. I am not a native South Texan, but my husband Frank and I love Beeville and South Texas and have raised three children here," Warner said. "Bee County is an incredible community full of loving, wonderful families all praying that our children and grandchildren will succeed and be happy. I believe that getting an education at CBC can make that a reality, and I look forward to helping make that happen!"
Carrillo is a Beeville native and an A.C. Jones High School graduate. After high school, he graduated from Texas State Technical College in Waco with an instrumentation degree. For several years, Carrillo analyzed technology at refineries in Texas. He then went on to earn his baccalaureate degree in accounting from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and also served in the U.S. Army for three years. Currently, Carrillo works as an accountant for Dan A. Hughes Company LP. Carrillo and his wife Monica Carrillo, a local teacher at R.A. Hall Elementary, have three sons: Reid, 18 years old; Jonathan, 15 years old; and Marcus, 1 year old. Carrillo and his family are huge baseball fans and enjoy being active in the Beeville Little League organization. "It’s an honor to have been appointed to the Board of Trustees at Coastal Bend College. I look forward to serving with the other board members to ensure that CBC continues to meet the academic and vocational needs of the region," Carrillo said.
What happens at CBC ends up on Facebook! Join in the fun at facebook.com/coastalbendcollege and use hashtag #CBCRocks.
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College news
After 31 years of dedicated and loyal service to Coastal Bend College, Gloria Rincon is saying farewell and headed into retirement. Rincon has served as the Executive Assistant to the President and Secretary to the CBC Board of Trustees since 1982. During her tenure at the college, she's worked for every single college president (six total, including one interim president), written minutes for over 400 board meetings, and worked at least 70,000 hours (though all of her colleagues at CBC know it's probably many, many more hours than that). Rincon is going out in tow with a prestigious award from the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). She was named the Western Region Professional Board Staff Member Award at the 2013 ACCT Congress in Seattle, WA. CBC Board of Trustees Chairman Paul Jaure often speaks about Rincon’s work ethic, professionalism, and loyalty to the college.
She's invested so much of her life to the college. I think it shows her dedication to the students, the community, the college and its policies." -Paul Jaure CBC Board Chairman 6 | CBC FORUM
“Gloria is outstanding. She always wants to make sure that everyone is doing what they're supposed to do. I think she does that because she cares so much, and she's proud of Coastal Bend College. She wants the college to act and look its best. Gloria always kept the trustees in line, and she made sure we followed our bylaws. She's invested so much of her life to the college. I think it shows her dedication to the students, the community, the college and its policies,” Jaure said. What will Rincon miss the most about CBC? "I will miss my CBC family. I've spent over half of my life at CBC. Without the dream of residents and community leaders in Bee County in the 1960’s, Bee County College/ Coastal Bend College would not have come to pass. I can’t imagine how many students would not have had the opportunity to attend college, have careers, and transfer to a university without CBC. Coastal Bend College is here to serve its most important customers– our community and students," Rincon said.
College news
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oastal Bend College's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), CBC Smart Start, focuses on providing all students with the free tools they need to succeed. The three main components of the plan include a mandatory student orientation, a dedicated faculty advisor, and enrollment in EDUC 1300/My Cougar Course. All new CBC students are required to participate in an orientation session in-person or online. Orientation sessions are conducted at all CBC locations, and during the orientation students will learn important information about advising, financial aid, and student services that can help them succeed in and out of the classroom. A Student Orientation Handbook has also been developed to serve as a reference guide for students during their time at CBC. Each student, new or returning, has a dedicated faculty advisor that can help them navigate through the college process. Furthermore, the faculty advisor can help the student explore career and university transfer options. Throughout the semester, the faculty advisor will contact their advisees at least three times to offer assistance and support. Students are paired with their faculty advisor based on their declared major. Dual enrollment students will also have access to a dedicated faculty advisor beginning in the 2014-2015 academic year. EDUC 1300/My Cougar Course makes its debut on the CBC Core Curriculum this fall 2014. The course, which will transfer to most Texas public universities as an academic elective, aims
to equip students with knowledge and skills to make them successful and productive students. Money management, study skills, and career development are just some of the topics that will be discussed in this innovative student success course. CBC Smart Start was developed utilizing broad based input and data from CBC faculty, staff, students, and community members. The QEP Leadership Team (QLT) led by Heather Anderson, QEP Director & Grants Manager, is continuously evaluating the QEP to see if any changes need to be made. "The QLT will have sub-committees that include a representative from the CBC student body, CBC faculty, CBC staff, and community members," Anderson explained. "We will also identify clear outcomes, goals, and a detailed plan to assess progress. Overall, we'd like to demonstrate institutional capability of the continued implementation and completion of the QEP." CBC’s QEP keeps its focus on students, aligns with the College Mission Statement and Strategic Plan: Vision 2020 Keeping Student Success in Sight, and aligns with the standards set forth by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. To learn more about the QEP, please visit www.coastalbend. edu/QEP or contact Heather Anderson at (361) 354-2276 or via email at QEP@coastalbend.edu.
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It's no doubt that fantasy sports are immensely popular in today's pop culture. Over 33 million people played fantasy sports in 2013, according to a recent poll by ESPN Magazine. So imagine how awesome it'd be to draft a fantasy baseball team featuring the best players from the Coastal Bend. Well, that's just what Coastal Bend College did.
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And even CBC's baseball players agree. Jason Franco (Left Field), a sophomore transfer student from Texas A&M Corpus Christi, said, "You know, I think all of us combined create an All-Star or fantasy baseball team from the Corpus Christi area. We're a dream team, and we have great chemistry. We're excited. We're pumped. We're ready to go hard or go home." Franco's teammates Jeremy Olivo (Centerfield), Moody High School; John Ramirez (Catcher), Robstown High School; Justin Sanchez (Shortstop), King High School; and Aaron Watts (Catcher), Ray High School, share Franco's enthusiasm and passion for the game of baseball. With the exception of Ramirez who hails from Robstown, the young men are all outstanding high school baseball players from the Corpus Christi area. In fact, 20 baseball players this year are from Corpus Christi. This means that in high school, most of these young men were rivals. They played big games against each other, and they battled for championship titles and All-District honors. But here at Coastal Bend College, they're simply teammates and friends who are looking forward to playing the sport they love the most. Most of them have been playing baseball since they were three years old, and their passion for the game is at the heart of all they do. As each one prepares for the upcoming baseball season (CBC's first baseball season in over 29 years) each one is acutely focused on one thing: excellence.
It's no coincidence that CBC's head baseball coach Michael Chavez is a superb coach and leader–Chavez himself had a stellar high school career at Carroll (Corpus Christi) and was a standout player on the Texas A&M Corpus Christi's Islanders Baseball Team. In 2000, Chavez hit his fifth and sixth home runs of the season during a game against Texas Southern University. Those home runs helped catapult his team to a victory and out of a losing streak. His athletes are confident he can create that type of excellence at CBC. "I've been blessed to have been coached by really good coaches, and in return I want to do the same for these guys. I'm trying to make them better today than they were the day before so they can move on to bigger and better things," Chavez said.
Coach Chavez is a good coach and an amazing leader. He's straight up with us, and cares about our success. He pushes us to our full potential and towards excellence."
"My baseball idol is Manny Ramirez. I've read his books, and I've read about what he's overcome to get to where he is. I've also seen what he's accomplished on the baseball field, and it'd be awesome to someday have that sort of legacy. Being at
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CBC is helping me reach my goals. Coach Chavez is a good coach and an amazing leader. He's straight up with us and cares about our success. He pushes us to our full potential and towards excellence," said Sanchez.
Much like their coach, these young men exude that classic, South Texas charm that makes them so approachable, friendly, and easy to talk to. Maybe that's why they've been so quickly embraced by CBC and the community. As a matter of fact, a group photo of them that we posted on our Facebook page has been the most liked CBC photo and status update to date. It's clear that people are really excited about CBC baseball.
"Baseball fuels South Texas. Growing up around here, baseball is what everybody plays. But I'm not only here for baseball, I'm here to work on my dream of becoming a DEA (Drug Enforcement
Administration) Agent. Kevin Behr, my CBC law enforcement instructor, is good and keeps my attention. All the teachers at CBC really care," Ramirez explained. They all expressed how CBC has felt "homey" to them with its small classes, laid back atmosphere, and professors who know your name. Watts has been particularly impressed by his government professor at CBC. "Mr. [Ben] Shelton makes the material interesting, plus he's a mellow, chill kind of guy. He likes baseball, and he's interested in my success. The people at CBC motivate me to lead my team to win as many games as possible. I've also learned during my time here that hard work beats talent in almost any aspect of my life. I'm excited about seeing all my hard work pay off." Luckily, most of this year's players will be around for a second season in 2014-2015, but they've also got big goals and dreams that they are working towards everyday. And yes, most of their dreams involve continuing to play baseball. Franco and Watts hope to land a spot on the Texas A&M College Station baseball team after their time at CBC, while their teammate Sanchez will ultimately assure they're all rivals again by wanting to play baseball for the University of Texas at Austin. For Olivo, his goals are a little more simple, "I'm open to playing anywhere. I just want to play the game I love for as long as I can. Baseball is everything to me." The team hopes to see tons of fans at their games this season, especially since many of the players are local to the area. The home games will be held at Joe Hunter Field on the CBC Beeville campus, and the stadium will be undergoing some improvements to make the baseball experience more enjoyable for everyone. CBC Athletic Director Estevan Vasquez has put in countless hours of work to make this season a grand homecoming for CBC baseball and its fans.
I'm open to playing anywhere. I just want to play the game I love for as long as I can. Baseball is everything to me.
"We have a talented team of players from the region, so this is an exciting time for CBC and former BCC baseball fans," Vasquez said about the season. "We're just trying to get out there, build up our program, and representing CBC the best way we can."
CBC baseball sponsorships are still available for the 2013-2014 season. Sponsorship packages start as low as $100 and include free tickets to all CBC baseball home games. To view additional photo outtakes from this article, please head to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ coastalbendcollege. To view the 2014 CBC baseball schedule, please visit www.coastalbend.edu/mensbaseball.
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Dr. Kerry Keith Mix, an A.C. Jones High School and CBC alumnus, is proud to call Beeville, Texas his hometown. We're proud to have him as the inaugural Alumni Feature story. You can look forward to even more alumni features in upcoming issues of the CBC Forum. Dr. Kerry Keith Mix attained an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Electronic Servicing from CBC in 2001. In addition, he earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science Degree in Computer Information Systems and a Master of Education Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston-Victoria, Texas. He then went on to graduate from The University of Texas at Austin’s Community College 12 | CBC FORUM
Leadership Program with a Doctorate in Educational Administration. It makes us proud to hear when our students consider themselves a product of a community college, as Mix does. As an educator and leader, Mix is passionate about student success and dedicated to the mission of community colleges. His time as a CBC student and an instructor helped give him the knowledge and experience he needed to embark on a career in higher education where he helps transform lives each and every day. "I did not know what I was going to do [after high school], but I knew I needed a degree. That was it; my goal was getting a degree. A degree would provide me the opportunity and options I saw others have. As a student, CBC prepared me for the rigor of upper division courses. As a faculty member, it paved the way for me to understand the meaning of student success. Community colleges are the foundational component of America’s workforce," Mix said. Since 2011, Mix has served as the Dean of Enrollment Services for San Jacinto
College's (SJC) South Campus located in Houston, Texas. As the dean of enrollment services, he is responsible for campus-based operations in the enrollment services, financial aid, testing, and veteran offices. During his tenure at SJC, Mix has also taught student success courses. One thing is crystal clear about Mix–he's a leader who genuinely wants to help others succeed. He and his staff at SJC have accomplished great things such as opened a veterans center, and increased enrollment and community outreach. These accomplishments are possible due to his innovative, data informed, and instructional based approaches to ensuring everyone has the tools they need to thrive. "I enjoy creating modules to show my staff how to do their jobs differently so they can critically think about what they do day in and day out. Students may come in to our offices and say one thing, but really mean another. Using the instructional model, I am teaching my staff to be leaders. I’m acting as if I am an instructor," Mix said about his approach.
Although Mix is helping mold our next generation of great thinkers and leaders, he gives a lot of credit to former CBC instructor Frank Anzaldua, whom he still remains in contact with to this day.
"What started at CBC truly transformed my life. Each degree challenged me to move forward. I often credit much of my success for the foundation I received at Coastal Bend College." "I am incredibly blessed and lucky to do what I do with the people I have on my staff." During his career in higher education, Mix has heard about the skepticism regarding community colleges. He believes a simple change in mindset, and a presentation of the facts, can help bridge the community and the college. "They literally put the word 'community' in our colleges' names because it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to educate one. Community colleges foster success. We are not a revolving door. We care about access, success, and quality. We are holding ourselves to higher standards. Our degree and completion rates are increasing every year. It’s those intangibles that make CBC, or any community college, an amazing place to be. We need people to be a part of the college–it will then become a true community college," Mix explained.
"His mentorship provided the cornerstone of my educational career. He developed my classroom teaching, and his U.S. Army influenced leadership style helped me transition into administration," Mix said. Long-time CBC History and Humanities Professor Ed Massey was also one of Mix's influences.
"I love it when our students leave and become really successful. He always did really well in my class, and when he came full circle and started teaching here, well you can't beat that," Massey said. After reading about his accomplishments, it may be hard to believe that as a dual credit student at A.C. Jones High School Mix thought attending a four-year college seemed like an unattainable goal. Four degrees and several certifications later, he's proved himself a bona fide success story. "What started at CBC truly transformed my life. Each degree challenged me to move forward. I often credit much of my success for the foundation I received at CBC." To nominate yourself or an individual for a CBC Forum Alumni Feature, please email your name, CBC/BCC graduation year, and phone number to socialmedia@coastalbend.edu.
We couldn't help but want to share Autumn Caro's great news with the CBC/ Bee County College (BCC) community. Caro, a 1992 BCC drama student, is set to appear as a background extra on the hit NBC show "Revolution" which airs on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. CST. During her time at BCC, Caro was very active in the college's drama program. Currently, she's a theater arts teacher at Kaffie Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas where she's worked for the past 12 years. An advocate for the arts, Caro fondly recalls her time at BCC, both on and off the stage. She was thankful for the drama scholarship, affordable tuition, and the drama program that gave her her start.
"I've talked to fellow actors and friends who went to major universities and only got to be on the main stage once. That was not the case for me at Bee County. I was involved in many different aspects of all of the productions," Caro explained. When she's not enriching young minds at Kaffie M.S., she's actively involved with the local PBS station and theater productions. On the weekends, she'll sometimes travel to Austin to audition to be an extra for television shows. Besides "Revolution", Caro has had on-screen roles in "Killer Women" (ABC), "Trooper" (though the pilot wasn't picked up by the network), and the hit series "Friday Night Lights" (NBC). " I always had a lot of support and no matter what I needed, someone was there to help. From tutoring to job hunting to transfer scholarships, BCC was there for me." WINTER 2014 | 13
VAST is a two-year Adult Basic Education (ABE) Innovation Grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board worth over $321,000 as part of the Eagle Ford Community College Consortium.
Well, sparks will fly in the classroom, that is. The first cohort of VAST (Vocational Advancement of South Texas) students began the CBC Welding program in fall 2013, and they're off to a great start. And with the addition of 12 new occupational pathways, a new career or a new beginning is just a few courses away.
VAST aims to help ABE students, with or without a GED or high school diploma, who are eligible to work in the United States, obtain jobs in high demand occupations. Some of the barriers these students face are limited education/background or English skills. Consequently, these types of students have had limited access to traditional college credit programs. Removing these barriers and helping ABE students embark on a wellpaying career path is what CBC aims to do. Noah Banda, Darrin Espinoza, and Fabian Villarreal are just a few of the students who comprise the first VAST cohort. With the Eagle Ford Shale boom in the area, these young men are gaining the knowledge and skills needed to obtain well-paying, entrylevel job openings in the industry. Data from the 2012-2013 Targeted Occupations Report compiled by Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend suggests that the entry-level wage for welders in the area is about $12.59/hour. That's over $5.25 more than the current federal minimum wage. These students are fully immersed in the college experience, although they're not graded on the usual grade point average (GPA) scale.
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"They're learning the same things I teach my traditional college credit students. They get the same hands on experience, and the same one-on-one attention from me. The only difference is the how I input their final grades," explained long-time CBC Welding Instructor Johnny Moreno. Moreno is well respected and liked by the VAST students because of the high expectations he has of them. Villarreal from Beeville, Texas is one of the youngest students in VAST–he was just 17 when he started the program. Welding was a natural choice for him because he'd have the support and guidance from his brother who is also a welder. "Mr. Moreno encourages us and pushes us. Even when we make mistakes welding, he doesn't get mad at us in a bad way. He just tells us to keep practicing," Villarreal said about his experience so far. " I'm so thankful and blessed for this opportunity. Without Mr. Moreno, Rosie Maldonado, and Dr. Bell, I wouldn't be here today." Hearing their stories of overcoming the odds and choosing to find a way to better their lives by obtaining a workforce education is especially moving for Rosie Maldonado, VAST Program Coordinator. Maldonado provides unconditional encouragement and works hand-in-hand with CBC staff to ensure the VAST students are primed for success now and in the future.
CBC WORKFORCE "VAST helps provide the funding for them to come to college completely free. They just have to have the desire to improve their life and enter the workforce. CBC plays a huge role. I believe that success doesn't only involve one person. It involves all of us working as a team. We get to see these students grow," Maldonado said.
The following 12 pathways were created to provide career options, milestones of success, and skills that directly lead to a higher level certificate or degree at CBC:· Bookkeeping Specialist Certificate, CIT Networking Certificate, CIT – Web Design Certificate, Criminal Justice Certificate, Early Childhood Specialist Certificate, Medical Coding Specialist Certificate, Office Specialist Certificate, Oil and Gas Safety Certificate, Oil Patch Preparation System (OPPS) Certificate, Welding Specialist Certificate, CDL Certificate, and a CNA Certificate.
For Espinoza, entering college at 16 years old was an easy choice after learning about all the benefits of VAST. He mentioned how being in a structured environment was helping him mature and prepare himself for the real world. "We learn about all different types of welding in Mr. Moreno's class. He doesn't just make us read about welding, we actually get to practice a lot. Ms. Rosie checks on me, and she makes me feel like she really cares. I know that there are people in the world who want me to finish the program and be successful," Espinoza said. Banda wasn't foreign to CBC and college classes because he was part of CBC's Upward Bound program while he was in high school. However, a baby on the way meant he needed a dependable career to provide for his family–and he needed it fast. "There's a huge demand for welders in the Beeville area. Originally, I just went in to get information about taking my GED and heard about this program. It was a no brainer," Banda said about his decision to enroll in a workforce program. "If I am late to class I get in trouble. Mr. Moreno teaches us about
how it will be once we get out there and get jobs with major companies."
In addition, these pathways will also assist CBC in providing additional training and education to high school students who are not at the collegiate level, but still need a skill to enter into the workforce.
Although these VAST students are interested in entering the welding field, VAST offers opportunities for almost anybody thanks to the addition of 12 new pathways. These pathways are designed as open access points for students who have completed a high school education or are in the process through enrollment in a GED program, particularly CBC’s ABE/GED program.
These pathways will be presented to local high schools in spring 2014 and on a continuous basis in an effort to reach all students. CBC’s goal is to expand higher education by delivering quality, affordable training and educational opportunities to anyone wishing to enter college and/or earn a workforce certificate or degree.
“Overall, CBC’s goal is to use these grant funds to help adults gain the skills and knowledge they need for life. They will be independent, self-sufficient individuals who can contribute to the workforce and the communities they live in,” said Dr. Denise Hutchinson-Bell, Director of Adult Basic Education at CBC.
Additionally, these pathways have the flexibility to be offered for credit or non-credit and will be offered to the general public and businesses as continuing education courses. For more information, please contact Dr. Denise Hutchinson-Bell, Director of Adult Basic Education, at (361) 354-2742 or via email at dhbell@coastalbend.edu. WINTER 2014 | 15
CBC Foundation
The Coastal Bend College Foundation begins 2014 with $263,500 in generous contributions from donors; $242,670 will be dedicated to scholarships and are directly helping students today. The support of our donors also makes it possible for Coastal Bend College to devote $21,000 in support of innovate teaching. On behalf of students, faculty, and staff of Coastal Bend College, thank you to all our donors! Your gifts make it possible for the Foundation to provide student scholarships, help grow CBC programs, and reward innovative teaching.
Dear Fellow CBC Supporter, I look forward to getting better acquainted with each of you and working together in an organization that can make a difference in many lives. The Coastal Bend College Foundation was organized as a 501(c)3 for charitable and educational purposes to benefit Coastal Bend College. Our goals as an organization are to: • Enhance and enrich educational opportunities for students • Support staff for innovative efforts and recognize staff for exemplary teaching • Involve the community in assuring a quality education for the leaders and workers of tomorrow • Fund student scholarships and success As Coastal Bend College prepares to celebrate its 50 year anniversary in 2015, the Foundation plans to take this
opportunity to promote the College. With the CBC Foundation goals in mind, we will organize and develop a plan for raising funds to benefit the College in support of scholarships, grants, and college needs. You, as representatives of your different communities, have the knowledge, talents, expertise and energy to help CBC pave its way into the future. You are truly our greatest assets, and the Foundation could not accomplish what we do without your support, leadership, and philanthropic spirit. I ask you today to engage, keep us proactive, and help us shape the future of CBC and the CBC Foundation. Sincerely,
Bridget Gayle CBC Foundation Board of Directors President
The CBC Foundation is proud to welcome the following individuals to the CBC Foundation Board of Directors: Gaylon Andrews Wilson/Atascosa Counties Regional Safety Manager, Louisiana Crane and Construction Walt Franklin Atascosa/McMullen Counties Vice President, Texas Farm Credit Services
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Homer Hanna Bee County Retired, South Texas Children’s Home Mary Jan Jenkins Jim Wells County Retired Educator Gary Jones Bee County Consultant
Amy Koenning Jim Wells County Retired Christina Sasser Bee County Geologist, Dan A. Hughes Company John Walker Live Oak County Proprietor/Broker Desert Flower Realty
Glynis H. Strause Live Oak County Community Relations Advisor for Eagle Ford Shale, ConocoPhillips Mary Ann Wheeler McMullen County Proprietor, Mary Ann Wheeler Family Limited Partnership
CBC Foundation
Several CBC faculty are starting the spring semester off with some extra funding thanks to the Innovative Teaching Grants sponsored by the CBC Foundation. These CBC faculty were chosen for their forward thinking, student-centric ideas that will help increase student engagement and success at all CBC locations.
ethnographic research and service learning into English 1302. Student will plan, cook, and serve a luncheon (tentatively scheduled for March 2014) for local seniors (ages 70+) and conduct interviews in order to collect living histories. This research will serve as historical and cultural context to help students interpret "A Raisin in the Sun".
CBC Science Cinema: CBC Biology Professor Mark Secord will be taking his biology class viral by utilizing YouTube to upload short instructional videos to supplement his lectures/labs. Students will be able to view these videos from almost any computer or mobile device, which puts success literally at their fingertips.
"My students are currently reading the play that integrates with the project, and they seem excited! Some of them have family members that fall into the demographic for the interviewees, which generates a wonderful sense of community involvement," Larakers explained.
"Students often struggle in science courses due to weak science backgrounds, the abstract nature of the material presented, and the large volume of content-specific terminology they are required to master. Student success rates in many gatekeeper science courses are often low, so there is a well-established need to provide students with additional instructional resources," Secord said about his inspiration to go forth with this concept. "Plus, research has shown that 2-4 minute videos are more effective than those of longer duration." Applied Physics Course Development CBC Physics Instructor Dr. Robert Benson is currently working on developing a new physics course geared towards students in workforce programs. "I really like making physics accessible and this opportunity provides a way for me to break down barriers for students in workforce programs," Benson said. Benson stated that he should have the course developed by the end of the spring 2014 semester. Ethnographic Research and Service Learning Initiative Elizabeth Larakers, CBC English Instructor, hopes to strengthen CBC’s relationship to the community by integrating
Online Support for Writing Across the Curriculum Dr. Sean Herlihy, CBC History/Government Instructor, and Kathleen Cuyler, CBC Assistant Professor of English, are teaming up to help students master the art of writing for college-level courses. Students will be able to access answers to commonly asked writing questions via Blackboard. Students will also receive encouraging and supportive email messages inviting them to visit the Writing Center if they need additional help. The CBC Foundation will begin accepting applications for the next round of Innovative Teaching Grants in mid-spring 2014. For more information, faculty members can contact Patricia Patel, CBC Foundation Executive Director, at (361) 354-2447 or via email at foundation@coastalbend.edu. Photo: Grant recipients (front row, left to right) Dr. Sean Herlihy, Elizabeth Larakers, Mark Secord, and Kathleen Cuyler were honored by members of the CBC Foundation Board of Directors (back row, left to right) Shambryn Huie, Claire Atkinson Wonders, Bridget Gayle, Jim Kirkpatrick, and Laura Fischer at a college-wide meeting in November 2013. Also on hand for the presentation were CBC President Dr. Beatriz T. Espinoza, first row, far left, and CBC Foundation Executive Director Patricia Patel, front row, far right.
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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Coastal Bend College (CBC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a joint admissions, transfer, and enrollment program between the two schools during a ceremony on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, on the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi campus.
Christi prior to the completion of an associate degree to transfer A&M-Corpus Christi course work to CBC towards an associate degree.
The program will provide a more seamless transition for students by allowing them to transfer from one institution to the other, alternate enrollment between institutions, or enroll concurrently at both schools. “We’re excited to partner with Coastal Bend College to facilitate access to higher education in the Coastal Bend community,” said Dr. Flavius Killebrew, President and CEO of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. “Through these types of partnerships, our many online programs, and our flexible semester structures, we’re ensuring that students with all types of schedules and circumstances have the ability to get a degree.” Students entering the program must choose and declare enrollment as a degree-seeking student at either CBC or Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and follow the core curriculum requirements of that institution. A reverse transfer program allows students who transferred to Texas A&M-Corpus
“These are the type of higher education partnerships that increase success for students; when we work together we can offer more program options and services to students with diverse career interests,” said Dr. Beatriz Espinoza, President of Coastal Bend College. “By joining with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, we are building a stronger economy and cadre of professionals to support the Coastal Bend community.”
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WORKFORCE PROGRAMS
CBC drafting students, from left to right: Joseph Ganceres, Zenaida Guerrero, John Lopez, David Salazar, and Ben Avila.
Annual field trip provides opportunity for current CBC students to explore career options in the field.
Every year since 1980, the Coastal Bend College Drafting and Design Technology Program has taken its students on a fall field trip to visit industry partners and leaders. The purpose of the field trip is to give students a sneak peek of the well-paying career opportunities available to them once they graduate from the program. "Many notable firms and companies hire our students. Some of these firms are at the top of the 'The Best Companies to work for in America' list," said Jack Young, CBC Technology Division Coordinator and Drafting and Design Professor. "The companies let our students know that they had a strong need for hiring drafting technicians. They value the education and skills that students are learning in our two-year Drafting & Design Technology Program at Coastal Bend College."
This year, students visited Longaro & Clarke Engineers, GarrettIhnen Civil Engineers, and Danze & Davis Architects in Austin, Texas. In the San Antonio area, students visited M&S Engineering, Technos Corporation, Jaster-Quintanilla Structural Engineers, and Charles W. Pope and Associates. Many of the students returned from their field trip feeling excited about their future.
“Seeing these major companies working on these huge projects is really motivating to me as a student. In the classroom, Mr. Young is really patient and works hard to make sure we understand the concepts he’s teaching us,” said current CBC drafting student Ben Avila. "When I first started at CBC, I didn't know how to save something to a flash drive. Now I am learning a lot, and I try to help my classmates. I feel really privileged to be enrolled in this program. CBC is like my family.” Avila came to the Beeville area to obtain employment in the Eagle Ford Shale industries, but his sister convinced him that a college education would pay off in the long run. And she's right. Most CBC grads can expect to earn about $15 an hour right out of college according to the firms the students visited. After a year, it's not uncommon for some to be earning $20 an hour as they move up in rank. This spring, the students will visit companies and firms in the Corpus Christi area. Zenaida Guerrero, current CBC student and softball player, is looking forward to gaining additional insights about the industry. "There are hardly any girls in this program and in the field, but I can hold my own. At some companies, to get a job there, you have to measure their building and draw it on CAD," Guerrero said. "That may seem intimidating to some people, but it’s all stuff we learn here in class. We measured the classroom across the hall as part of a project. A building isn't that much harder." For more information about the CBC Drafting and Design Technology Program, please contact Jack Young at (361) 354-2325 or via email at jwyoung@coastalbend.edu.
Neither do we. Enroll now in CBC’s Weekend College. New classes start monthly. More choices. Less debt. Great things start at CBC.
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