July 2012
Coastal Bend College
Volume 6, Number 12
Project Oasis Page 4 Dr. Espinoza Talks About CBC Page 4 Kids College 2012 Page 10 Model Students Page 18
CBC Forum 3800 Charco Road, Beeville, TX 78102 361.354.2399 First Aid Course Coastal Bend College is offering a first aid/CPR/AED/bloodborne pathogens course for only $65 on the Beeville campus. The course will last approximately 4 hours, can accommodate a maximum of 12 students, and is a part of the Health & Safety Institute. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a card certifying the successful completion of the training. To set-up a course for your company or employees, or to check course availability, please call Amberlee Johnson at 361-354-2348.
Free GED Prep Courses Coastal Bend College provides FREE GED preparation courses for those interested in earning a high school
(361) 362-6095. Register now for ESL classes Coastal Bend College is sponsoring a free series of English as a Second Language classes on Tuesday through Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. These classes are for adults learning English as a second language. Beginner through advanced students are welcome and can register at any time. Classes are held at the Lott Canada Building at 900 West Corpus Christi in Beeville. For more information, contact Roxann Gleason at (361) 362-6095 or rgleason@coastalbend.edu.
Excel Driver Services. This was started to meet the demands of the current oil boom of the area. For more info, got to www.coastalbend.edu/ce.
CBC seeks instructors for CE courses Coastal Bend College is expanding the course offerings in continuing education to include a wide variety of classes to meet the needs of the community. There is a need for more qualified instructors. If you can teach courses such a cake decorating, cooking, dancing, music, art, health-related topics, send your resume to Glynis Strause, Continuing Education, 3800 Charco Road, Beeville, TX 78102 or email to ghstraus@coastalbend.edu.
Adult Literacy in Beeville The Bee County Adult Literacy Council is seeking volunteer tutors now to Weekend College commit at least one hour a week to If you have ever considered getting a bachelor’s degree but your life’s schedule has not allowed you to take courses during the week or at night, Coastal Bend College is now offering you another option to take the first step and earn your associate’s degree. This Fall semester, CBC is starting weekend classes. The CBC Weekend College program will make it possible for students to take a full load of classes while meeting on designated help adults 17 years of age or older weekends. who are deficient in reading and English skills. Call Pete Martinez at (361) Weekend class space is limited so hur354-5335 if you or someone you know ry and call today! would benefit from literacy tutoring or if you would like to give the gift of For more information call toll free 1-866-722-2838 ext.2570 or visit our literacy by serving as a tutor. website at www.coastalbend.edu/ weekend for more information. CDL Truck Driving School
equivalency diploma (GED). Applications are being accepted now for classes held Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Classes are held at the Coastal Bend College Lott-Canada Facility, located at 900 W. Corpus Christi St (U.S. Hwy 59 West) in Beeville. GED and Adult Basic Education classes are held in Beeville, George West, Ingleside, Sinton and Coastal Bend College now offers CDL Taft. For more information, contact Truck Driving School in partnership with
CBC Forum is a publication of Coastal Bend College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 3800 Charco Road, Beeville, Texas. View this and previous issues online at www.coastalbend.edu. Coastal Bend College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. For more information about Coastal Coastal Bend Bend College, visit the website at www.coastalbend.edu or call toll free (866) 722-2838.
College
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“My main focus is to help the community understand the benefits of being an Upward Bound student at CBC.” Kraig Curry: Upward Bound G.O.S.T. Project Director
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raig Curry hopes to be a role model for students participating in the Upward Bound G.O.S.T. (George West, Odem, Sinton and Taft) program. As the new Upward Bound G.O.S.T. Project Director, Curry says his main goal is to show students and the community the importance of higher education and community services projects. “If I can do this as one of 8 children in a low income family, then they can do it, too. I was in a similar situation growing up as many of these students. College is achievable for them,” Curry explained. Curry has achieved a lot over his 19 years of higher education experience, and moved to Beeville, Texas from Ohio after accepting the Project Director position at Coastal Bend College. A graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in management, Curry
never really planned on working in higher education until he heard about a workshop for a graduate program at Ohio University that focused on college student personnel. He explained that he only heard about the program because he worked in residence life at that time. “So, I thought, I can stay in school for another 2 years, and people say working on a college campus keeps you young. Then I enrolled in graduate school,” Curry said. Two years later, Curry received his Master’s of Education in College Student Personnel, and worked for an Upward Bound program the following summer. One day his co-worker forwarded him an e-mail about the Project Director position at CBC. Being that CBC is in a small town, and he’s a self-proclaimed small town guy, he applied for the position. Curry adds, “The job location and
timing helped everything come together, and I have always wanted to live in a tropical climate.” Since making the big move to Texas, Curry has been hard at work with the Upward Bound G.O.S.T. students. When he isn’t working with his Upward Bound students, Curry enjoys watching basketball and football games. His favorite football team is the Dallas Cowboys, but when asked what his favorite college football team is, he remains loyal to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Curry is enjoying his new life in Beeville, and although he said he hasn’t had too much time to explore the area, he is excited about being the new Project Director. “Right now my main focus is to help the community understand the benefits of being an Upward Bound student at CBC.”
CBC Forum 3800 Charco Road, Beeville, TX 78102 361.354.2399
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Project Oasis Focuses tudents enrolled in certain fall 2012 biology courses at Coastal Bend College will be the first to experience the state-ofthe-art science laboratories that are currently being constructed. The two new laboratories will be housed in the Fred C. Latcham Jr. AcademicScience Building, commonly referred to as the “C” building.
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The renovations are possible through Project OASIS (Optimizing Academic Success in the Sciences) which is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) grant focusing on increasing the number of Hispanics and low income students obtaining degrees in STEM fields. “At the forefront of all the renovations is student success,” said Mark Secord, Project OASIS Assistant Grant Director. Biology students will have brand new learning islands as work stations during their science lab course. These learning islands are designed to facilitate group learning, and are also designed for professors to be able to
maneuver through the laboratory easily. As a result of these learning islands, students will be able to form small learning communities with their lab mates and professors will be able to actively teach and engage their students. Another major component of the lab renovations is incorporating technology into the classroom.
A video microscope where students can save and record what they’re viewing on the microscope to use as a study aid later is one of the tools students will utilize in the new labs. Along with video microscopes, other learning aids such as laptops, bio chambers and white boards will be available to students. “Students will be exposed to technology which is something they will eventually need to use in
the workplace,”Secord said. Project OASIS hired a Science Learning Skills Specialist and a Science Case Manager to help students in and out of the classroom. The Science Learning Skills Specialist will assist students in the laboratory, and they will also conduct workshops/ seminars and provide tutoring services for students. The Science
Case Manager will provide general academic advising and support to students, as well as student interventions should the student fall behind in courses or be absent from classes. With new laboratories, technology and support staff, students will have access to many resources that will help them succeed while at CBC. Biology professors attended professional development trainings that will help them utilize
the new technology and features of the laboratories in their courses. Furthermore, professors are completely redesigning their courses to encourage active learning and listening, which overall, will improve student success in science courses at CBC. The course curriculum will constantly be evaluated by professors to measure progress and effectiveness in their classrooms. Secord adds, “We knew if we only changed the learning spaces, but not our teaching, we would get what we’ve always gotten. We have looked at every facet, and we have measurable goals and objectives.” The renovations on the Beeville campus will be completed in August 2012 in time for the fall semester. According to the grant objectives, renovations will also be conducted at the Alice, Kingsville and Pleasanton campuses over the next three years. For further information about Project OASIS, contact Mark Secord at (361) 354-2408 or toll-free at 1-866-722-2838 ext. 2408.
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On Success in Science
Renovation Time Line:
May 2012: Classes End June 2012: Demolition & Asbestos Abatement July 2012: Renovations Continue August 2012: Classes Begin in New C-Building Labs
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CBC Industry Expo
Work in the Eagle Ford Shale Coastal Bend College prides itself on being a pioneer in providing quality education and training in the oil and gas industry for the Eagle Ford Shale region. On Thursday, July 19, 2012, Coastal Bend College will be hosting an Industry Expo at the Beeville campus on 3800 Charco Road from 2-5 p.m. for a full-spectrum demonstration of what the college has to offer employers, students and job seekers. Prospective students can see first-hand the various programs and technology offered at Coastal Bend College that can put them to work in the Eagle Ford Shale. Program instructors will be available to answer questions and provide demonstrations about the following programs: Airframe and Powerplant, Automotive, Commercial Driving Licensure (CDL), Safety Training, Drafting and Design, Machinist, Oil and Gas Technology, Welding and a wide variety of office support from accounting and office management to computer programming and networking.
on learning opportunities available to students. Here at CBC, we strongly believe these programs have the ability to change lives,” said Dr. Bruce Exstrom, Dean of Instructional Services for Coastal Bend College. Students interested in CDL training can get behind the wheel of a cutting-edge simulator at the Industry Expo. The simulator is provided by Excel Driver Services, and is the same simulator used as a teaching aid for students enrolled in the CDL courses at all of the Coastal Bend College campuses. In addition to utilizing a simulator, students in CDL courses also log 1,500 miles of truck driving experience and 3,000 miles of observation time in the truck.
to continue our commitment to CDL driver training by offering an additional $50,000 for CDL training of WIA-eligible participants, to occur between July 1 and September 30, 2012,” said Larry Demieville, Deputy Director for Workforce Solutions. Those interested in obtaining more information about WIA benefits should contact their local Workforce Solutions center. Glynis Strause, Dean of Institutional Advancement for Coastal Bend College, realizes that with the high demand for these occupations also comes the high demand for proper safety training and awareness.
“We are committed to meeting the safety training and awareness needs of local employers and companies to Financial aid, for those who ensure their employees are qualify, is available for many well-trained before they get on of the programs that Coastal the job,” Strause said. Bend College offers. In addition to federal student aid, funds Coastal Bend College offers are also available for qualified employee safety training students under the Workforce courses under its Customized Investment Act (WIA)— and Continuing Education especially for CDL courses. department. Terry Kirkpatrick, “The CBC faculty is excited Certified Safety Instructor, to showcase the hands- “Workforce Solutions would like teaches SafeLand, first-aid,
and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliant courses at the CBC campus or even onsite throughout the Eagle Ford Shale region as needed. Employers and local companies that attend the Industry Expo will be able to see what customized training options CBC can provide to fit their needs. The Coastal Bend College Industry Expo will kick-off at the James R. Dougherty Student Union Building (SUB), and has something to offer for anyone interested in this growing, dynamic field. Industry representatives from PEC Premier, Excel Driver Services and other local companies will be present to showcase the services they offer. For further information about this exciting event, please contact (361) 354-2268 or toll-free at 1-866722-2838 ext. 2268. Information is also available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ CBCIndustryExpo.
“My
favorite
thing about CBC... That I inherited a staff
.
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HOMESWEETHOME
Dr. Beatriz Espinoza talks about returning to Texas & her goals for CBC “I love being back in Texas,” Dr. Beatriz Espinoza, President of Coastal Bend College says before pausing for a moment and adding, “even the heat, by the way.” Even more excited may be her family, pictured with her on the left, who are happy to have her back home in South Texas.
themselves. When asked why a student should choose CBC, Espinoza explained, “There’s nothing like being close to home. You get to help family, you get
her during her first month as President. These communities are a priority to Espinoza because she wants them to think of CBC when they need to grow both personally and
Her Texas roots and firstgeneration college student background are always at her core as an administrator and educator, she says. The challenges, fears and uneasiness she felt as a student help her relate to the students that Coastal Bend College serves. “Our students are in a world of transition. My goal is to keep the doors open to help them find their path and have many successful milestones here at CBC,” to focus on your studies, Espinoza said. and you get support daily Although Espinoza wants both in-and-out of the classroom.” students to choose CBC, ultimately she wants all students to choose And Espinoza knows the higher education—period. importance of support, from the Espinoza firmly believes especially students will need higher communities in the CBC education no matter what service area. She is very they choose to do in life, pleased with the support and although college can and love for CBC that local be a high cost venture, businesses, schools and the students should consider regional communities CBC it an investment in serves have extended to
of CBC has the power to make a positive difference in the lives of students. “Everyone is friendly and caring,” Espinoza said, “so my favorite thing about CBC is definitely that I inherited faculty and staff with passion and dedication for student success. They work very hard and truly care about the institution.” It is apparent that although Espinoza has only been at CBC for a month, she has passion and dedication for the institution, too. Espinoza plans to measure and evaluate student outcomes so that CBC can constantly improve and better serve its students. Her goal is for the end product to be student success—for every single student that walks through the doors at CBC.
professionally.
What is the one thing she is looking forward to “CBC is not just here to offer the most during her first credit hours, we are here academic year at CBC? as a venue for students to achieve their dreams and She thinks for a moment, goals,” Espinoza explains. smiles and says, “Commencement. It’ll be One thing that Espinoza my first time leading a quickly observed about body of students through CBC is that behind all a significant milestone in the dreams and goals their lives. That makes me accomplished by students proud.” at CBC is the faculty and staff. Every single employee
with passion and dedication for student success.”
CBC Forum 3800 Charco Road, Beeville, TX 78102 361.354.2399
ids College wrapped up at Coastal Bend College, and over 50 students at the Beeville and Kingsville campuses learned all about “The Wonders of Egypt”. Students who attended Kids College created works of art during arts and crafts class, walked like an Egyptian during dance class, and most importantly, got their first taste of college life.
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“It’s like Coastal Bend College is a portal for these young children who might be intimidated by a college to really come out of their shell. By the end of Kids College they know how to get to the bathroom and the computer labs. It’s like they own the place. They’re talking to everybody, and they realize that CBC is a good place to be,” said Glynis Strause, Dean of Instructional Services and Principal of Kids College in Beeville. Strause has been the Principal of Kids College ever since the summer program started over 10 years ago. She recalls the various themes Kids College has done in the past such
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as “Go Green” and “Once Upon a Time”, and even has ideas for future themes, although she will be retiring in July 2012. “These kids don’t forget that I was the Principal of Kids College. I see some of them now that they’re older, and they give me hugs all the time. Some of my earliest Kids College students are now college students.” And much like college, Kids College programming is created in a holistic approach with curriculum designed to look at all facets of that year’s theme. Instructors are brought in to teach the students about art, literature, dance and theater relevant to the theme. A new addition to the curriculum this year is Parkour— a sport which focuses on efficient movement around obstacles. At Kids College in Kingsville , students also participated in a variety of physical activities. “Often times it seems that the humanities and arts are the first things to get cut in education. That’s why I created
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Kids College—we look at it from all areas and encourage critical thinking skills. We also help keep the kids active with exercise,” Strause explained. The students worked hard during Kids College at both campuses to memorize the lines for Hatshepsut: Queen of Denial, a play about a queen who ruled during ancient Egyptian times. To see photos of the Beeville performance, see pages 12-13. The performance is part of the grand finale of Kids College, and allows the students to show off all that they learned during the summer to an audience. “The finale is my favorite part of Kids College. The kids always amaze me every year. Each and every one of them is amazing,” Strause said. As for what next year’s theme will be, Strause won’t say. She did say that Kids College will continue on without her, and that she hopes the students will someday walk through the hallways of CBC not as Kids College students, but as CBC students.
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The Coastal Bend College Customized and Continuing Education department would like to thank this year’s instructors at the Beeville campus: Kristina Arnst, Rolando Diaz, Maria Donahue, Norma Martinez, Jennifer McCall, Linda Switzer, Linda Walls, and paraprofessional leader Grace Torres; and the Kingsville campus instructors were Ife Bob-Nabena, Blanca Fleischmann, Hermelinda Martinez, Katy Nave, Laura Nave, Megan Saenz and Roy Ousley. Kids College 2012 was coordinated by Glynis Strause at the Beeville campus and Debbie Branstetter at the Kingsville campus. For more information about Kids College, please contact the Coastal Bend College Customized and Continuing Education Office at (361) 362-2633.
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Hatsphepsut
Queen of Denial June 28, 2012 • CBC Beeville
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Students from the Upward Bound (Beeville, Mathis, Pettus and Skidmore) and Upward Bound G.O.S.T. (George West, Odem, Sinton, Taft) programs got to do something most children are told not to: play with their food. “At Upward Bound, we love to do hands on activities with the students. We love bringing lessons to life, “ said Cheryl Baird, Upward Bound Project Director. The smell of roasted marshmallows filled the hallways as students learned about the chemical reactions that occur when s’mores are created. Students weighed marshmallows before and after roasting them to see the difference in weight after roasting. And after all their scientific measurements were complete, they got to dig in. In Spanish class, students learned how to speak and write the language, but they also learned about the
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culture and history. Salsa and guacamole may be an everyday food in most students’ households, especially in South Texas, but the purpose of the lesson is to teach them how guacamole is made and why it is made, Baird explained. “The overall purpose of all the Upward Bound programming is to give our students skills they can transfer with them to their home life,” Baird said. Upward Bound G.O.S.T. Project Director Kraig Curry, featured on page 3, agrees. “Upward Bound students learn a lot during our programming, and then they take that knowledge out to their communities and families,” Curry said. While the 125 Upward Bound students are done with their summer courses at Coastal Bend College, that doesn’t mean the fun is over. Upward Bound students
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from both programs will be traveling and visiting various universities in July. Testing for new Upward Bound students will be held in September. Students who are interested in being a part of Upward Bound should: • If you’re entering the 9th or 10th grade at the following high schools: Beeville, Mathis, Pettus or Skidmore, please contact Cheryl Baird at (361) 3542715 for more information about applying to be an Upward Bound student. • If you’re entering the 9th or 10th grade at the following high schools: George West, Odem, Sinton or Taft, please contact Kraig Curry at (361) 3542746 for more information about applying to be an Upward Bound G.O.S.T. student.
CONGRATS
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Above: Dr. Beatriz T. Espinoza, CBC President, delivers a commencement speech to GED graduates on July 2, 2012.
Congratulations GED Graduates:
Jessica Adame, Jeremiah Alba, Joshua Alba, Dominic Alvarado, Heaven Casas, Lewis Cernick, Robert Chapa, Diana Contreras*, Misty DeLeon*, Jessica Dowd, Christina Garcia*, Leonor Garcia, Adrian Garcia, Jennifer Gomez*, JoLynn Gonzales*, Noel Hale*, Amanda Hernandez, Zachary Herod, Jazmine Lazcano*, Sarah Longoria, Sara Lowe, Gabriel Loya, Isabel Lozano, Anna Melton*, Samuel Mendez, Erica Molina*, Darlin Nichols*, Jeremy Ochoa, Christina Perales*, Joann Perez*, Rebecca Perez*, Tonya Price, Rayne Reeley, Amy Salas, Jessica Saldivar*, Adam Stewart, Austin Weddle, and Jennifer Zepeda. *Students that participated in the commencement ceremony held on July 2, 2012.
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Find out what to expect during your first days of college by attending Cougar Days at any one of four Coastal Bend College campuses— Alice, Beeville, Kingsville or Pleasanton. Students are free to attend whichever Cougar Days location is most convenient regardless of where the student will attend classes in the fall. Registration for Cougar Days 2012 is available online at www.coastalbend.edu/ cougardays and is completely free to all attendees.
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this step if student has the vaccination record with them); 2. Social Security Number; 3. THEA, Compass or Accuplacer scores or evidence of exemptions (ACT, SAT, TAKS, etc.); 4. Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended before entering CBC (high school or college); 5. License plate number for obtaining parking permit; and 6. TDCJ ID, if you are employed at the McConnell or Garza units and reside in Bee County.
Students are allowed to bring one guest and lunch will be provided. Students who register online will receive a free Cougar Days T-shirt, while supplies last. Cougar Days at all campuses begins with registration at 8 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. Campus Date Registration Deadline Alice July 17 July 13 Online Orientation: As an incoming freshman, you are Kingsville July 19 July 16 required to complete Coastal Bend College orientation. Beeville July 24 July 20 If you cannot attend one of our Cougar Days, you must Pleasanton July 26 July 23 complete online orientation before registering for courses. You may complete orientation at www.coastalbend. To be eligible to register for fall 2012 classes on Cougar edu. Days, students must bring: 1. Have already submitted proof of bacterial meningitis Please call Sandra Walsh at (361) 354-2266 for additional vaccination (advisors will be able to assist students with information about Cougar Days 2012.
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ACE STUDENTS TAKE ON THE CATWALK ancy cameras, settings and forms of art, can benefit from increased self-
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equipment didn’t intimidate Afterschool Centers for Education (ACE) student Martha Hernandez from being a mock fashion show photographer on June 28, 2012. Hernandez’ passion for art and drawing led her to want to dive and learn how to use a professional quality camera. “My instructor told me I couldn’t break it no matter what I did. So, I just told myself to be free, express myself and take photos. My arm does kind of hurt a bit though,” Hernandez said.
esteem.
“There’s an incredible feeling of pride when you take that perfect snapshot of someone’s face or catch a person in that perfect moment in time. It’s a feeling of wow, I took that photo.” That feeling is what keeps Hernandez interested and passionate about mastering the art of photography. She has simple advice for aspiring shutterbugs who are wanting to learn how to use a dSLR camera.
“Just get a camera and do it. Once you start Hernandez photographer over 25 ACE & Coastal taking photos, it becomes easier and you just Bend College student models ranging in age keep getting better at it. I can’t wait to learn from toddlers to adults during the ACE Fashion more!” Show. The fashion show was the culmination of photography workshop that two local CBC cosmetology students prepped and Beeville photographers, Sylvia Garcia Smith primped all the models for their close-up, and and Armando Musquez held for ACE students many of them also decided to strut their stuff in late June. During the afternoon workshop, on the runway. Todd Fuller, ACE High School students learned how to use a digital single- Project Director, was wowed by how well his lens reflex (dSLR) camera, how to pose while students did both on and off the runway. on the catwalk, and most importantly, how to take amazing photos. “The kids had so much fun, and it’d be great to do this again and fill more seats in the Musquez has years of experience behind the audience,” Fuller said. camera, and he’s photographed many highprofile fashion shows and models in the South Although Musquez is a busy photographer, Texas region. He feels learning photography is he wants to continue holding these types of a necessary skill for today’s youth. workshops for students. “There’s a high demand for all types of photographers from portrait to news, and with the different camera settings and lenses, there’s definitely a need for basic camera and photography knowledge,” Musquez said. Furthermore, he elaborated on how students who learn how to express themselves artistically through photography or other
“Whitney Houston sang about believing the children are our future; teach them well and let them lead the way. I believe in that, and that’s why I do what I do for these kids.”
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Social Security Number; THEA, Compass or Accuplacer scores or evidence of exemptions (ACT, SAT, TAKS, etc.); Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended before entering CBC (high school or college); License plate number for obtaining parking permit; and TDCJ ID, if you are employed at the McConnell or Garza units and reside in Bee County.
Online Orientation: As an incoming freshman, you are required to complete Coastal Bend College orientation. If you cannot attend one of our Cougar Days, you must complete online orientation and register during regular registration dates. You may complete orientation at www.coastalbend.edu. Please call (361) 354-2266 for additional information about Cougar Days 2012 or Coastal Bend College’s orientation requirements.
Coastal Bend College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age or disability.