STEM Grant provides tools for student success at CBC

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the Coastal Bend College Board of Trustees regular meeting, Project OASIS provided an update on the progress made during the first year of the grant. Project OASIS 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.

In the past year, the grant has completely renovated a science laboratory in the Fred C. Latcham, Jr. Academic-Science Building. The lab now features state of the art equipment such as smart boards, video microscopes, and brand new learning islands that are designed to facilitate group learning. In addition to having new equipment, students also have access to Science Case Managers and Supplemental Instructors (SI) outside the classroom. The case managers and SI are available at no cost to students who need further assistance or tutoring in their courses. The community is invited to visit our new science laboratory in the Fred C. Latcham, Jr. Academic-Science Building in room C-129. 

Biology and geology professors are currently in the process of redesigning their curriculum to ensure that students are able to have positive learning outcomes. The new curriculum will be in place in August 2013 in time for the start of fall courses. All these tools, services, and courses are designed to improve student success rates in challenging courses such as math and science. Renovations will continue in the upcoming year to create a Learning Commons room for students, as well as update other science laboratories.

The Weekend College program, which is also a part of Project OASIS, is currently accepting students for the fall 2013 semester. Enrolling in Weekend College allows students the ability to earn their Associate of Arts degree while only attending courses every-other-weekend at any CBC campus or site. Weekend College is a smart choice for anyone needing to take pre-requisites for an allied health program (nursing, radiology, dental hygiene) since many of those courses are part of Weekend College. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. For more information about Weekend College, please contact Danny Garcia, Weekend College Coordinator, at (361) 354-2570.

The new Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exam will go into effect August 28, 2013 at the start of fall classes. The TSI exam replaces the Accuplacer as the placement test colleges must utilize to determine college readiness per the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Students should visit with an advisor at any CBC campus or site to see how the new exam might affect them. To get in contact with an advisor, please call 1 (866) 722-2838 or visit your local CBC location.

Over 700 attendees experienced the magic of “Cinderella”, performed by the Corpus Christi Ballet Company, at the A.C. Jones High School Auditorium on Saturday, May 4. The event was a fundraiser for the Coastal Bend College Foundation and over $20,500 was raised for student scholarships, innovative teaching grants, and other opportunities for Coastal Bend College. The CBC Foundation sincerely thanks all the sponsors and attendees that came out to support student success at CBC.

Christy Lansford, Executive Director of the CBC Foundation, provided a fundraising report for the spring 2013 semester (January-May). The CBC Foundation took in a total of $122,336.49 that will be used to help fund opportunities and needs that help increase student success at CBC. The breakdown of the monies is as follows:

• Athletics Donations: $10,164.33

• Memorial Donations: $1,700

• Pledges: $6,000 pledged; ($800 collected)

• Fundraisers: $20,772.16

• Other Donations: $84,000

• Additional Scholarship Donations: $4,900

Total Income: $122,336.49 (includes only $800 of pledge amount)

If you’d like to help contribute to student success and innovative teaching grants at CBC, please contact Christy Lansford at (361) 354-2447 or via email at foundation@coastalbend.edu.

The City of Beeville and CBC have worked together to address the sinkhole on the CBC walking trail. City workers have filled the sinkhole with caliche and dirt, but have to wait until the materials settle in order to begin more permanent repairs. CBC has built a bridge over the area so that the community may continue utilizing the trail while repairs are being made.

Registration is currently underway for Kids College 2013. At Kids College 2013, students ages 6-12 will learn how different energy sources and technologies evolved and about some of the scientists that made it all happen.  They will discover the connection between energy and the environment and see what that looks like through the study of art, music, theater and science. All segments of Kids College will be led by qualified, creative instructors and supervised by the CBC Customized and Continuing Education Division. Kids College will be held at the CBC Kingsville site and the CBC Beeville campus from June 3-27, 2013 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, please visit the Kids College website at www.coastalbend.edu/kc.

Students who are planning on being enrolled in a workforce program at CBC this fall are encouraged to apply for the Training for the Trades Scholarship worth up to $1,000 sponsored by the Coastal Bend Community Foundation. Applicants must be currently employed, have financial need, and plan on enrolling in a workforce program this fall.  For more information about scholarship requirements and how to apply, please contact the CBC Financial Aid Office at (361) 354-2238.

Kids College to be held at Coastal Bend College

It’s time for Coastal Bend College’s Kids College 2013! Energy is at work in all we do—from the food we eat that fuels us, to the fuel from the earth, sun and wind that powers our vehicles, our houses and our technology.

At Kids College 2013, students ages 6-12 will learn how different energy sources and technologies evolved and about some of the scientists that made it all happen. Classes include the theme class (energy), drama/theater arts class, computer class, art class, music class, and a get up and move class.  All segments of Kids College will be led by qualified, creative instructors and supervised by the CBC Customized and Continuing Education Division.

Kids College will be offered at the Beeville campus and Kingsville site from June 3-27, 2013. Kids College is held Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the registration deadline is May 30, 2013. The 2013 prices are:

· Full day Kids College tuition – $451.00

· Morning session only (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.) – $261.00

· Afternoon session only (1 p.m. – 5 p.m.) – $205.00

For more information on Kids College at the Beeville campus, call 361-354-2330.  For more information on Kids College at the Kingsville site, call 361-592-1615, ext. 4036 or 4040. You can also find registration forms and information on the web at www.coastalbend.edu/kc.

CBC closed on Fridays through July 26

Coastal Bend College will begin its summer operating schedule on Monday, May 13. Summer business hours will be from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday at all CBC sites.

No college events are scheduled for Fridays during this time. Classes will operate on the normal Monday through Thursday schedule. All CBC offices, including the Child Development Center, will follow the summer schedule until Monday, July 29 when all CBC offices resume normal business hours of 8 a.m. until 5 p.m, Monday through Friday.

Summer registration is open now until June 2. Summer classes begin on Monday, June 3. Summer I courses are in session from June 3 to July 2. Summer II courses are in session from July 9 to August 14.

Fall 2013 registration is available online at http://www.coastalbend.edu. Advisors and faculty are available to assist students at all CBC locations. For more information, or to get in contact with an advisor, please call 1-866-722-2838 or contact your local CBC campus/site.

CBC gears up for Spring Fest 2013

Coastal Bend College invites the community to attend the 2nd annual Spring Fest on Thursday, April 4 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the CBC Courtyard between the Fred C. Latcham, Jr. Academic-Science Building and the Gertrude R. Jones Auditorium.

Spring Fest attendees will be treated to free food, drinks, and entertainment that is sure to be fun for the whole family. Children can enjoy the Extreme Trendz mini car show, face painting, and a bouncy house in addition to a performance by the Beeville Community Action Agency (BCAA) and an appearance by H-E-Buddy.

Returning and potential CBC students will have opportunities to gain in-depth information on applying for admissions and financial aid; participate in a CBC campus tour; and meet CBC faculty, advisors and counselors.

All attendees are also entered to win one of two $250 CBC scholarships sponsored by the Coastal Bend College Foundation and various other prizes donated by Domino’s Pizza, Hair Dynamix, Dave Moore Ford, Aztec Chevrolet, and Little Caesar’s Pizza. Kicker 106 will be broadcasting live from the event.

If your business/organization would like to participate in this community event, or you’d like more information, please contact Vanessa Adkins at (361) 354-2538 or at vadkins@coastalbend.edu.

Come out and celebrate spring at Coastal Bend College, and get a jump start on the summer and fall 2013 semesters. We hope to see you on Thursday, April 4 from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. on the Beeville campus.

RSVP for Spring Fest 2013 @ CBC Beeville on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/291639494300112/

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Small Texas Towns, Big Paychecks

Small Texas towns, big paychecks thanks to the Eagle Ford Shale oil boom. An NPR/StateImpact Texas reporter visited the CBC Beeville campus on Monday to learn more about our oil and gas technology students, and the type of careers they can start once they finish our program. Interested in our oil and gas technology program? Let us know, and we can get you more information.

To read/listen to the story click here.

CBC automotive students participate in Texas Mile

Coastal Bend College automotive students participated in the Texas Mile event at Chase Field this past weekend by helping inspect over 80 automobiles and assisting with traffic control. This marks the fifth time the CBC automotive students have helped in the twice-a-year event, and the experience provides them with valuable hands-on experience in learning about the other side of the automotive industry.

Automotive Instructor Brian Anderson strives to seek out and provide these opportunities for his students to help showcase how broad a career in the automotive industry can be.

“I enjoy seeing my students get excited about assisting in events such as the Texas Mile. The experience helps them see what they can look forward to after graduating from CBC, and the Texas Mile is a good way for all of us to work together outside the classroom environment. I instill in my students that hard work and good work experience can help them go far when they embark on their careers in the automotive industry,” Anderson said.

Pictured above are, from left to right, CBC Automotive Instructor Brian Anderson, along with CBC automotive students Gilbert Cruz, Richard Villarreal, Jonathan Flores, Stephen Henderson, Daryn Shultz, Timothy Barcenas, Jose Molina, Jonah Puga, Michael De Pau; and in the back row, Fidel Torres, Martin Medellin, Mario De Pau, Marc Montez, and Darren Blankenship.

The CBC automotive program is accepting students for the upcoming 2013-2014 academic year. For more information about CBC’s automotive program, contact Brian Anderson at (361) 354-2528 or via email at bandy@coastalbend.edu.

Ernesto DeLuna named 2013 TRiO Achiever of the Year

Pictured above are, from left to right, Derek Adkins, Upward Bound Advisor; Belinda Muñoz, Educational Talent Search Counselor; Kraig Curry, Upward Bound G.O.S.T. Project Director; Ernesto DeLuna, TRiO Achiever of the Year; Lupe Ganceres, Educational Talent Search Project Director; and, Renee Brown, Educational Talent Search Counselor.

Each year in celebration of National TRiO Day, Coastal Bend College selects one outstanding individual to receive the honor of being the TRiO Achiever of the Year. This honor is given to former TRiO students who’ve successfully completed college and gone on to become productive members of society.

This year’s TRiO Achiever of the Year is Ernesto DeLuna, a former Upward Bound student at CBC from 1975-1977. Currently, DeLuna works as the Community Liasion Coordinator for the Mathis Independent School District. His career involves working with at-risk youth, and making sure that parents understand and follow the state laws related to their child’s public education.  DeLuna graduated from Bee County College with honors, and went on to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree from Walden University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. This May, DeLuna will be receiving his Master’s degree from Walden. DeLuna is a Beeville resident, and has been happily married to his Upward Bound sweetheart for the past 34 years. Together they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. CBC is proud to have DeLuna as an alumnus, and thanks him for his service to the community.

TRiO students are also recognized for their outstanding leadership, success, and participation in their respective programs.

The 2013 TRiO Achievers are:

· Upward Bound Achievers

o Isiah Longoria, a sophomore at Odem High School

o Ciara Lillie, a junior at George West High School

o Noe Lopez, a sophomore at Sinton High School

o Mayra Garcia, a sophomore at Odem High School

o Clarissa Reyna, a senior at Skidmore-Tynan High School

o Jared Landreth, a junior at A.C. Jones High School

· TriO Talent Search Beeville Achievers

o Jose (Joe) Ramirez, a sophomore at A.C. Jones High School

o Kathline Martnez, a senior at Mathis High School      

o Holly Thomas, a senior at Skidmore Tynan High School

o Luis Riojas, a senior at Three Rivers High School

· TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) Achievers

o Celeste Trejo is a 2009 CBC graduate who went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M Corpus Christi in 2011. Currently Trejo works as a 5^th and 6^th grade math teacher at R.A. Hall in Beeville, Texas.

o Rebecca Padilla is a 2009 CBC graduate who went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University in 2012. Padilla is the Site Coordinator for the Ace 21^st Century Grant at Mathis ISD.

TRiO Day is a nationwide annual celebration that recognizes the value of the federally funded TRiO Programs and the successes of their students.  The TRiO Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to help low-income families, and/or potential first generation college students enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America’s economic and social life. The program also provides information on pre-college opportunities. 

Through TRiO, our nation is committed to providing educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. Over 2,800 TRiO Programs currently serve 789,676 Americans.  Thirty-five percent of TRiO students identify as White, 35% are African-American, 19% are Hispanic, 4% are Native American, 4% are Asian and 4% are listed as “Other,” including multiracial students. Furthermore, more than 7,000 students with disabilities and approximately 6,000 U.S. Veterans are currently enrolled in the TRiO Programs. 

TRiO Programs have been in existence at Coastal Bend College since the mid 70’s. The three programs housed at Coastal Bend College are: two Educational Talent Search Programs; two Upward Bound Programs; and a Student Support Services Program.   

The Educational Talent Search Program, with an annual award of $306,752, serves 671 students in grades ninth through twelve. Participating schools include Beeville, George West, Karnes City, Kenedy, Mathis, Odem, Pettus, Refugio, Runge, Skidmore, Taft and Three Rivers. In addition to counseling, participants receive information about college admissions requirements, scholarships and various student financial aid programs. This early intervention program helps students to better understand their educational opportunities and options.  There are over 310,000 participants enrolled in 461 Educational Talent Search TRiO Programs.

Coastal Bend College hosts two TRiO Upward Bound programs.  Upward Bound, with an annual award of $382,500, helps 85 high school students in grades nine through twelve to prepare for higher education. Participating schools include Beeville, Mathis, Pettus, and Skidmore.  Upward Bound G.O.S.T., with an annual award of $250,000, serves 50 students in grades nine through twelve. Participating schools include George West, Odem, Sinton and Taft.  Participants in of both Upward Bound programs receive instruction and tutoring in composition and literature, mathematics, and science.  In addition, Upward Bound students participate in a 6-week summer residential educational experience on the Coastal Bend College campus.  Currently, 826 Upward Bound programs are in operation throughout the United States. 

Student Support Services receives an annual award of $281,511.00.  The program provides services to 215 students at Coastal Bend College.  Students are encouraged and assisted with staying in college and eventually earn their baccalaureate degree.  Participants receive tutoring, counseling, assistance with financial aid, applytexas.org and transferring to an institution of Higher Education in a warm environmental setting.  Students are now being served at over 1,028 colleges and universities nationwide.  

TRiO WORKS:

· An estimated two million TRiO students have graduated from college nationwide.

· TRiO Student Support Services participants have a 22% greater chance of entering their third year of college than similar students without the benefit of TRiO.

· Students who receive a full range of TRiO services (counseling, special courses, and tutoring) are twice as likely to be retained and continue their post-secondary education.

· Upward Bound students are four times more likely to graduate from college than those students who do not participate in this program.

Coastal Bend College TRiO staff personnel include Pete Trevino, Dean of Student Services; Jeri Morton, Student Support Services (SSS) Project Director; Kayla Devora-Jones, SSS Counselor; Sylvia Lopez, SSS Secretary; Cheryl Baird, Upward Bound Project Director; Derek Adkins, Upward Bound Academic Advisor; Janice Fernandez, Upward Bound Secretary; Kraig Curry, Upward Bound G.O.S.T  Project Director; Dina Villegas, Upward Bound G.O.S.T Secretary; Lupe Ganceres, Educational Talent Search (ETS) Project Director; Renee Brown, ETS Counselor; Belinda Muñoz,  ETS Counselor; and Mary Alice Rivera, ETS Tutor Coordinator/Secretary.

For more information on the TRiO Programs, call:

Educational Talent Search Program CBC:                        (361) 354-2706

Upward Bound Program CBC:                                            (361) 354-2715

Upward Bound G.O.S.T Program CBC:                             (361) 354-2746

Student Support Services CBC:                                           (361) 354-2718

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CBC Celebrates Black History Month

Front row, from left to right, Velma Elizalde, Vice President of Student and Administrative Services at CBC; Lois Virata, Paraprofessional at St. Mary’s Academy Charter School; Dr. Denise Hutchinson-Bell, Director of Adult Basic Education at CBC; Dr. Beatriz T. Espinoza, CBC President; and Idotha Battle, CBC Vocational Nursing Instructor; back row, from left to right, Eric Tarver, Reverend at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church; Darryl Martin, Clinical Director of Coastal Bend Spine and Sport and a CBC Foundation Board Member; and Ronald Givens, Assistant Warden at The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Garza East Unit, unite to celebrate Black History Month at Coastal Bend College in Beeville.

Over 250 Coastal Bend College students, staff, and community members attended the Black History Month: CBC United 2013 celebration held on the Beeville campus on Tuesday, February 26, 2013.

The event was planned by the CBC Student Services Department and the Student Government Association (SGA), and was sponsored in part by the Coastal Bend College Foundation. Keynote speaker, Reverend Eric Tarver of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Beeville, delivered an inspiring message of hope, perseverance and unity to all those in attendance.

“We wanted this event to be focused on unity, and I feel like that message was prominent throughout the event. Our speakers had powerful messages that touched the hearts of so many CBC faculty, staff, and students, as well as community members. We all came together and created such a well-orchestrated program. I look forward to helping coordinate this event again in 2014,” said Lindsey Hagen, Career Development Advisor for CBC and one of the event organizers.

Attendees were also able to listen to a panel featuring six area community leaders talking about the challenges and obstacles they had to overcome to be where they are today. A common theme in each of their stories was that education and support, such as the type found at a small college like CBC, was pivotal in them attaining success in their lives and careers.

CBC would like to thank the panelists for sharing their stories with the CBC community: Darryl Martin, Clinical Director of Coastal Bend Spine and Sport and a CBC Foundation Board Member; Ronald Givens, Assistant Warden at The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Garza East Unit; Lois Virata, Paraprofessional at St. Mary’s Academy Charter School; Reverend Eric Tarver, Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church; Dr. Denise Hutchinson-Bell, Director of Adult Basic Education at CBC; and Idotha Battle, Vocational Nursing Instructor at CBC.

CBC would also like to thank Martha Stovall, President of the Lott-Canada Alumni Association, for her beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful, and the Beeville Men’s Choir for singing at the event.

To view pictures and video from the event, please visit www.coastalbend.edu/blackhistory, and for more information about upcoming community events at CBC, please call (361) 354-2266.

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Coastal Bend College Foundation elects new board members

Photo: The Coastal Bend College Foundation board members are, front row from left, Debbie Parsons of Beeville; Vice President of Marketing, Jim Kirkpatrick of Kingsville; Clare Atkinson Wonders of Alice; Shambryn Huie of Beeville; Deborah Shearrer of Floresville; Lou Adele May of Beeville; and back row, from left, Vice President of Programs, June Hurley of Pleasanton; Diana Bautista of Jourdanton; Karl Arnst of Three Rivers; Tres Beck of Beeville; President, Trace Morrill of Beeville; Darryl Martin of Beeville; Blant Miller of Beeville; Chip Latcham of Beeville; CBC Foundation Executive Director, Christy Lansford of Beeville; Vice President of Finance and Governance, Daren Wilder of Beeville; and Maggie Hunt of Beeville. Board members not pictured are Lana Collavo of Jourdanton; CBC Board of Trustees Representative, Laura Fischer of Beeville; Vice President of Development, John Galloway of Beeville; Al Garcia of Kingsville; Secretary, Bridget O’Brien Gayle of Goliad; and Ofelia Hunter of Alice.

The Coastal Bend College Foundation welcomed newly elected board members at its regular meeting in January. The new board members from Bee County are Tres Beck, Chip Latcham, Debbie Parsons, Shambryn Huie and Darryl Martin; from Atascosa County, Lana Collavo, Deborah Shearrer, and Diana Bautista; from Jim Wells County, Ofelia Hunter; and from Live Oak County, Karl Arnst and Blant Miller.

Serving another term as part of the Board of Directors for the Foundation are President, Trace Morrill; Secretary, Bridget O’Brien Gayle; Vice President of Finance and Governance, Daren Wilder; Vice President of Development, John Galloway; Vice President of Programs, June Hurley; Vice President of Marketing, James Kirkpatrick; CBC Board of Trustees Representative, Laura Fischer; Director Emeritus, Bill Findley and Dan Hughes; and Honored as Director Emeritus, R.W. Dirks.

Members at large include Maggie Hunt, Clare Atkinson Wonders, Lou Adele May, and Al Garcia. The CBC Foundation Executive Director is Christy Lansford.

The mission of the Coastal Bend College Foundation is to generate and distribute resources to provide opportunities for excellence in education, promote innovative teaching, and partner with the community to enhance the quality of education for all students. For more information about the Coastal Bend College Foundation, or to donate online, please visit www.coastalbend.edu/foundation or email foundation@coastalbend.edu. You can also read more about the CBC Foundation Board of Directors in the latest issue of the CBC Forum, which is online at www.coastalbend.edu/pr.

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Barnhart China painters

 

A Barnhart China Painting Workshop taught by artist Paula White was held at Coastal Bend College. Workshop attendees learned how to paint stylized poppies onto porcelain ware. Painters are, seated from left, Gayle Hollan of George West; Artist, Paula White of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Peggy Hogan of Victoria; and standing, from left, Mary Ann Wheeler of Tilden; Mark Parsons of Beeville; Lorena Bastian of Victoria; Claudia Nelson of Beeville; Wilma Piwetz of Meyersville; Beverly Neal of Goliad; Dorothy Harter of Edna; and Program Coordinator, Shirley Kibler of Beeville. For more information about upcoming Barnhart Workshops, please contact Jayne Duryea at (361) 354-2322 or via email at duryeaj@coastalbend.edu.