Office of Student Services Update - March 2024

Happy Friday!

February was a busy month for Student Services. We hosted a number of events celebrating Black History Month, brought Alicia Diaz-Wrest on as the Interim Dean of Students, and celebrated CCC students receiving Soroptimist International of Clovis Live Your Dream Awards.  Of the 35 awardees, 22 were Clovis students, including the top winner who received an additional $1,000.  Of the 22 CCC students, 17 of them are EOPS students!

In addition to all the regular campus and district committee meetings, Student Services participated in a variety of AgTEC meetings to help build the outreach, matriculation, retention, and transcript components of the project.  We also took a team to the Vision-Aligned Reporting (VAR) regional convening, hosted by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, to review the new VAR metrics and obligations.  Most of our categorical grants will now also be required to submit a VAR that provides details on services/activities provided within each grant for specific student populations and the dollar amount spent on each service/activity.  Lots of new coding to setup!

Below are some updates and upcoming events for some of the Student Services areas. Also, as we head into midterms, please encourage students to take advantage of our Stay Strong campaign activities. Visit the Tutorial Center for more information.

Important Deadlines

Career Resource Center

Dress For Success Fashion Show

The CRC held a Dress For Success Fashion Show on February 29th. Our student ambassadors did an amazing job modeling, and the event helped students learn:

  • How to make a good first impression on employers
  • What to wear to an interview, internship, or job setting
  • The difference between business casual and business professional
  • How to transform an outfit from casual to professional
  • How to get FREE professional clothes at the Crush Clothing Closet

Upcoming CRC Events

  • Mock Interview Event:  03/08/2024, 2pm-5pm, Herndon Campus Clothing Closet.  Local business partners will send managers to hold mock interviews with CCC students.
  • Spring Job Fair:  03/13/2024, 11am-1pm, In front of Bookstore
  • Careers in Technology:  04/17/2024, 12pm-1pm, AC1-114
  • Careers in Nursing:  04/24/2024, 1pm-2pm, AC2-276

Admissions & Records

  • For Summer 2023, 203 students earned a total of 373 degrees/certificates.
  • For FA23, 239 individual students received a combined total of 439 degrees and certificates.
  • Currently, a total of 758 individual students have applied for a combined total of 1,806 degrees/certificates for Spring 2024. The deadline to apply is TODAY!

Basic Needs

  • The February CCC Farmers Market served 161 students and their families.
  • The Crush Pantry served 631 students and their families during February.
  • The Equity Book Vouchers program has served 284 students through textbook support for a total of $57k in assistance for Spring 2024.
  • In February, the Basic Needs & Retention team attended the CHEBNA conference in Sacramento where they networked and learned best practices from partners at the UC, CSU, and California Community College levels.
  • The first districtwide Basic Needs meeting was held at Fresno State with partners from the Fresno County Department of Social Services.  The institutions in attendance had an opportunity to share best practices and local community resources. 

Financial Aid

  • Financial Aid Application Workshop – March 2, 10-2pm in OCL
  • Department of Education announced that 2024-2025 FAFSA application processing will be delayed until late March.
  • Scholarship Deadline is March 2 at 11:59pm.
  • UC & CSU Cal Grant deadline is April 2 (CA Community College deadline is September 2)

Tutorial Center

  • We hosted our first "Socratic Game Night" in which students enjoyed an Uno tournament while engaging in a philosophical discussion and sharing snacks. We had 10 students attend and more express interest in a future date.
  • Our Tutorial Center Team will be attending the Annual SCCCD Tutor Expo at Madera Community College on Saturday, March 9.  We have 20 tutors presenting at the expo this year. 
  • PiDay will be hosted on March 14.

Counseling

Ocelot SEP Completion Campaign

Over 400 students who do not have an SEP on file were sent a text message from Counseling to remind them of the upcoming SEP deadline on 3/8.  We received responses from students who not only needed to schedule to complete their SEP, but also students who needed assistance from a Counselor with other things.  CCC Counseling is excited about this additional way to reach out and connect with our students.

Degree Completion Campaign

Counselors are calling students to let them know of Degrees and Certificates they are eligible for at the end of Spring 24 and are encouraging them to apply by 3/1. 

ADT E-Verification

CCC Counselors are completing the CSU E-Verification process for over 500 students who reported they would earn an Associate Degree for Transfer on the Fall 24 CSU Transfer Application.

RTG Advising

In the month of February, CCC Counseling has been busy out at the local high schools assisting current High School Seniors, as part of the Reg-To-Go process.   CCC Counselors have completed 1,095 SEP-A's with students who are possibly interested in attending CCC in the SU/FA 2024.  

Transfer to Fresno State Recognition Ceremony

CCC will be hosting our first "Transfer to Fresno State Recognition Ceremony - Crush to Bulldog."  The event will take place on Thursday, April 18th from 6pm - 8pm in AC1-150.  The event will be an opportunity for students to meet with the outreach staff, picture with Victor E., potential to win raffle prizes, and be presented with a Fresno State pin.  Refreshments will be served.   

Student Activities

  • The Student Activities Department is thrilled to invite you to join us in celebrating Women's History Month throughout March! This special month is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the achievements, contributions, and progress made by women throughout history.
  • We have planned a series of empowering and engaging events that aim to inspire, educate, and celebrate the incredible impact of women.  We encourage everyone in our diverse community to participate and support these initiatives.  Starting with the EmpowerHer Expo on March 5 from 11 am-1 pm outside in front of the bookstore. We will have vendors and resources open to all! 
  • Mark your calendars, author and historian, Dr. Catherine Ceniza Choy will be on campus on March 20th. There will be a presentation at 10am and at 6:30 pm in AC1-150.
  • Visit the list of Student Activities.

Thank you to the amazing Student Services Division for the continuous work each of you do to support our students!

Have a great weekend!

Kira Tippins
Interim Vice President of Student Services