CBC accepting applications for veteran’s scholarships

Photo Cutline: Center, Ghazi Shahin, Vice President of Operations for the East Region for DCP Midstream presented the Coastal Bend College Foundation with a $50,000 donation as part of the Operation Next initiative. The funds will be used to provide scholarships for veterans interested in the oil and gas field. Local Beeville veterans Raul Meza, Rosendo Garcia, Rudy Garcia, Ray Rincon, John Salinas, Jesse Gonzales, Chano Cavasos, Jesse Garcia, and Armando Musquez were in attendance to show their support and gratitude of the Operation Next initiative at CBC.

Photo Cutline: Coastal Bend College Board of Trustees Chairman Paul Jaure, left, and CBC President Dr. Beatriz T. Espinoza, right, accept a $50,000 donation from DCP Midstream’s Vice President of Operations for the East Region, Ghazi Shahin, center. CBC is the only college in Texas to receive these funds as part of the Operation Next initiative to help veterans obtain education in oil, gas, and petroleum related industries.

CBC accepting applications for veteran’s scholarships

The Coastal Bend College Foundation received a $50,000 donation to fund scholarships for veterans enrolling in CBC programs related to the oil, gas, and petroleum industries. The funds were donated by DCP Midstream, LLC as part of their Operation Next initiative.

“Operation Next is one way DCP can give back to veterans and the community. Veterans have discipline, structure, and technical skills. They have teamwork and leadership skills. But most importantly, veterans understand the importance of safety. This is why we recruit and help veterans. Safety is the most important thing in our line of work,” said Ghazi Shahin, DCP Midstream Vice President of Operations for the East Region.

Current CBC oil and gas student Mike Fahey is an army veteran and expressed how opportunities like these help veterans reach their academic and career goals. Fahey is getting ready to graduate from the oil and gas technology program at CBC in August 2013, and he feels this donation from DCP Midstream may inspire veterans to enroll in college.

“As an army vet, I was trying to think of what I could do for the rest of my life. Oil and gas was a good choice for me, and I have enjoyed my classes and instructor at CBC. Many young vets I know say they can’t afford college or have to work to save up to come to school. It leads to a ruthless cycle of working and putting school off, so these opportunities are huge for any veteran,” Fahey said.

Paul Jaure, CBC Board of Trustees Chairman and a veteran, echoed Fahey’s sentiments, “The $99 I received every month from the G.I. Bill gave me encouragement when I was fresh out of the military. It is my sincere hope that this generous donation from DCP Midstream will help encourage veterans to pursue their dreams. CBC is committed to helping them. We thank them for their sacrifice and service.”

Veterans who are planning on enrolling in CBC courses/programs related to the oil, gas, and petroleum industries in fall 2013 can apply for an Operation Next scholarship from now until August 9 by contacting Rosie Streicher, CBC Veterans Affairs Specialist, at (361) 354-2421 or via email at rstreich@coastalbend.edu. Scholarships are available for college credit programs, continuing education courses, and CDL classes. The scholarship is open to veteran students at any CBC location (Beeville, Alice, Kingsville, and Pleasanton), and can be used in conjunction with other aid programs.

Operation Next supports veterans attending Coastal Bend College

DCP Midstream, the largest producer of natural gas liquids, and the largest private company in Denver, has announced a major veterans’ initiative. Called Operation Next, the program will support counseling and job training efforts in Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma. DCP Midstream frequently hires veterans for their nationwide workforce. The company is the largest energy company headquartered in Denver and operates in the most prominent natural gas producing basins in the U.S.

“Our overarching goal is to express our appreciation to these men and women who have nobly served our country,” says Roz Elliott, VP of Public Affairs and Investor Relations at DCP Midstream. “It is our belief that they will serve proudly again in their new careers here at home bringing energy security to our nation.” 

DCP Midstream worked with The Denver Foundation, where the company’s charitable fund is held, to identify partner organizations who are serving veterans in the targeted areas where the company has operations.  Coastal Bend College was selected due to its involvement in providing quality education and training for the Eagle Ford Shale/petroleum industry.

Coastal Bend College will receive $50,000 as part of the Operation Next initiative to help provide support for veterans in the form of tuition, scholarships, fees, books, or supplies for an oil, gas and petroleum degree and/or continuing education programs.

Join us on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at the CBC Beeville campus for a check presentation and press conference in the Robert J. Beasley Administration Building, Sandy Dirks Board Room, 3800 Charco Road, Beeville, TX 78102 at 11 a.m.

For more information about services and programs for veterans at CBC, contact Rosie Streicher, Veterans Affairs Specialist, at (361) 354-2421.

CBC Receives $321K for Vocational Programs

Dr. Denise Hutchinson-Bell, Director of Adult Basic Education, and CBC President Dr. Beatriz T. Espinoza review VAST guidelines.

Coastal Bend College is the recipient of 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.

The Consortium project, called VAST (Vocational Advancement for South Texas) is led by the Alamo Community College District in partnership with Coastal Bend, Laredo, Southwest Texas Junior and Victoria Colleges. These five community college districts are partnering together to help educate and train the region’s under-educated and under-skilled population into one that will be ready to work in well-paying occupations related to the Eagle Ford Shale.

“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, Adult Basic Education Coordinator at CBC.

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. Many of these students have limited education or English skills, and therefore, have had limited access to college credit programs. Removing these barriers and helping ABE students embark on a career path is what CBC aims to do when the program begins in summer 2013.

CBC will offer career pathway training and education in the following high demand occupational areas: certified nursing assistant (CNA) to Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), welding, commercial truck driving (CDL), and drafting and design. Students enrolled in these career pathways under VAST will earn either continuing education credit or college credit.  Upon program completion, students will earn a level one certificate and be qualified and ready to enter the workforce.

“CBC is fortunate to be in a position to have great partners and offer much needed training in our 9,400 mile service area and region. These training programs are clearly aligned with the workforce needs of the industry in our region. Graduates will have great job options available to them,” said Dr. Beatriz T. Espinoza, CBC President.

Financial assistance is available for those who qualify, and most VAST career pathways can be completed in about a year. VAST is set to launch in summer 2013 at all Coastal Bend College campuses. For more information, please contact the CBC Adult Basic Education Office at (361) 354-2767.

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CBC & PEC Premier to Offer Oil & Gas Safety Training

Coastal Bend College and the Petroleum Education Council (PEC) Premier will hold a signing ceremony to kick-off the start of the Oil Patch Preparation System (OPPS) Short-Term Training Project. The signing ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. inside the Robert J. Beasley Administration Building, Sandy Dirks Board Room at the Beeville campus.

Tom Pauken, the Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), will be present at the signing ceremony for the OPPS Project. He has served as Commissioner since appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry in 2008, and was the TWC Chairman until April 2012. Pauken has decades of public service experience including serving in the White House Counsel’s Office under President Reagan, in addition to having held numerous leadership positions and being a United States Army veteran.

The OPPS Project is a 5-day entry level training and job placement program that is designed to help students gain the skills needed to get started in oil and gas safety related occupations. Students in the OPPS Project will receive hands-on training in addition to classroom instruction, and the training credential is transferrable. The program is being customized to meet employer and industry demands in the Eagle Ford Shale area, and would be a good opportunity for entry-level workers, veterans, and people who want to work in safety related occupations get started on a career path.

“There is a high demand for qualified workers, and the OPPS Project provides the knowledge and skills they need to get their foot in the door and earn money. Working alongside PEC Premier has opened up a great opportunity to help serve our community,” said Lillian Garza, Director of Customized and Continuing Education for CBC.

Before enrolling in the OPPS Project, a student has to undergo an interview and basic drug screening to ensure the student is a viable candidate for the project. Once accepted, the student will enroll in the OPPS Project and attend class from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. for five days. Upon successful completion of the training, the students will receive a hardhat, steel toe rubber boots, gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection to help them get to work in oil and gas safety occupations.

The OPPS Project is scheduled to begin February 2013 at the Pleasanton campus. To register for the program or to find out more information, please contact Lillian Garza at (361) 354-2331 or Nora Cartwright at (361) 354-2230.

Study Spanish in Puerto Rico with Coastal Bend College

CBC offers intensive Spanish study in Puerto Rico June 10-23, 2012

Coastal Bend College’s summer intensive Spanish course offers students the opportunity to spend two weeks in the beautiful Puerto Rican city of San Juan, study Spanish at the Institute for Second Language Acquisition, live with friendly Puerto Rican families, make excursions to interesting sites across Puerto Rico, experience life in a foreign environment, and enjoy 85 degree weather.

Coastal Bend College Spanish and sociology students spent two weeks in Puerto Rico studying culture, language and ethnography. Those who took the trip are, top row from left, Jennifer Roberts, Vera Wang, Homero Garza, CBC Spanish Instructor Dr. Emmanuel Alvarado, and Roberto Lopez; and in the middle row from left, Suzane Nunez, Samantha Salinas, CBC Sociology Instructor Kelly Rea, and Dariela Ramirez; and in the bottomrow from left, Macy Richter, Paola Serna, Bianca Rocha, Verita Gronuum, Linda Salazar, Missy Moreno Raymon Avelar and Ana Alyse Olivares.

Small classes are for high school students, college students, Spanish teachers who need to renew their teacher certificates, and other adults who wish to improve their Spanish-speaking skills. Students can earn beginning- through advanced-level class credit for one or two semesters or first or second year college Spanish or Continuing Professional Education credits. Students may also take “American Minorities” over the summer program to Puerto Rico.Because the ISLA offers classes for both teenagers and adults, CBC makes the class available to high school students who have passed their TAKS exit exams (or the equivalent) and to college students and adults of any age.

Dr. Beatriz Espinoza named Coastal Bend College president

“Dr. Beatriz Espinoza aligned with the responsibilities and expectations we were looking for in our new president,” said Paul Jaure, Coastal Bend College Board of Trustees Chair. The board made the decision to select Espinoza in closed session during a March 22 board meeting. The finalist was announced less than 30 minutes later. “We look forward to her leadership.”

Espinoza comes to CBC from Yuba Community College District in Marysville, Calif. where she served as Vice Chancellor for Educational Planning and Services. She is an experienced educator and college administrator with 25 years in higher education. She holds a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Psychology and Educational Psychology and a Masters in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison; and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg.

“I think the board made an outstanding choice,” said CBC Interim President Dr. Jimmy Goodson. “Dr. Espinoza’s visit to the college was very important in the selection process.”

Goodson said “she related very well to the Coastal Bend College community.” He found that she was well-prepared intellectually and experientially for the interview. “She completely understands the mission and role of a community college.”

She was selected from five finalists. Daylong visits by each candidate for the position included public forums, receptions and interviews with various college populations.

“On behalf of the faculty of Coastal Bend College, I would like to thank the Board of Trustees for providing an opportunity for active faculty participation in the selection process for the next college president,” Donna Atkins, CBC Faculty Senate President, told the board. Representatives from the faculty senate, staff association, student body and administrative leadership interviewed each candidate during the selection process.

The candidates remained in Beeville, but spoke with representatives from Alice, Kingsville and Pleasanton through live video feed. Each participant, whether he or she attended the forums, interviewed the candidates, or watched the online coverage, was given the opportunity to comment on each visitor. These comments were reviewed by the board.

“Every evaluation was looked at,” Jaure said. “We valued the comments and every one of them was considered in determining the best candidate for the job.”

Some comments remarked on Espinoza’s “passion for higher education,” “demonstrated knowledge of our college,” and “experience with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).” She was referred to as “energetic” and “experienced.”

Someone noted that he or she was impressed with Dr. Espinoza because “this is the first time she went out for a job as president and she was selected as a finalist for both El Paso Community College and Coastal Bend College.”

Someone wrote that “she is an excellent fit for a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).”  Dr. Espinoza has a background with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and is experienced in working with minority student populations in diverse communities. CBC is a designated HSI with a Hispanic population of approximately 70 percent.

Dr. Espinoza started her college path with the assistance of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) scholarship after 18 years as an agricultural farm-worker. She attributes her college success largely to the support of her family and other people who “cared enough to remove barriers, build bridges and track new paths for a first generation college student.”

Her transition into community college administration culminated 13 years ago as she completed a post-doctorate in the Community College Leadership Program at the University of Texas at Austin. Since then, she has served in various administrative roles, including Vice President for Workforce Learning Services at Arizona Western College in Yuma, Ariz. She also worked in Dallas, Galveston, Tempe and Chicago as part of her 25 years in higher education.

The late Dr. Grady C. Hogue was president of Coastal Bend College from its inception in 1965 to 1984. He was followed by Dr. Norman E. Wallace from 1984 to 1999 and Dr. John M. Brockman from 1999 to 2007. Dr. Thomas B. Baynum headed the college from 2007 to 2011, followed by Interim President Dr. Jimmy Goodson, who will step down in June.

Espinoza is slated to start work the first week of June. She will be accompanied to Beeville by her husband and six-year-old daughter.

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Experts to assist college-ready students with 2012 admissions, financial aid forms

Coastal Bend College will host Financial Aid and Admissions Application Night on Thursday, March 29, 6-8 p.m. in the Dirks Building.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for future or returning students to meet with CBC staff and complete financial aid applications on the spot,” said Vanessa Adkins, CBC advisor and event organizer.

Documents needed to complete the financial aid forms are driver’s license and social security cards, W-2 forms and other records of money earned in 2011, 2011 tax returns, and any child support documentation for 2011.

Students who need to complete an admissions application for the summer or fall semester will be able to speak to college experts who will assist with applications.

Please contact Vanessa Adkins at (361) 354-2538 or vadkins@coastalbend.edu for information or assistance.

 

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Coastal Bend College closed for spring break

Coastal Bend College is closed March 12-16 for spring break. Administrative offices will open and classes will resume on Monday, March 19. For more information on college events and activities, please go to http://www.coastalbend.edu.

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Info sessions to be held for prospective rad tech students

The radiography program at Coastal Bend College is holding information sessions for all individuals interested in applying to the radiography program. Info session dates are as follows:

 Beeville: March 26, 3-5 p.m. in the Dan A. Hughes Technology Building, U-107, on the Beeville Campus.

 Pleasanton: March 27, 3-5 p.m. in Room 135 on the Coastal Bend College —  Pleasanton Campus.

Kingsville: April 2, 3-5 p.m. in Room 120 on the Coastal Bend College — Kingsville Campus.

Alice: April 4, 3-5 p.m. in Room 104 on the Coastal Bend College –Alice Campus.

Dates have been set for Spring 2012. Be sure to attend a session if you are applying to the Radiography Program because attending a session is worth two points on the application.

Criminal Justice courses target correctional officers’ schedules

In response to the needs of a non-traditional group, Coastal Bend College plans to offer criminal justice classes to match the work schedules of Texas Department of Criminal Justice correctional officers. The pilot program is set to launch this summer.

 “Correctional officers can’t attend on the traditional Monday to Thursday schedule of classes,” said Kevin Behr, CBC Professional and Public Services Division Chair. “The vast majority of correctional officers work four on/four off schedules. In this new program, the instructor follows their cycles, not the other way around.”