Office of Student Services Update - April 2025

The month of March went by so quickly, and as we ushered in spring, I had the opportunity to take a little time off to spend with out-of-town family and celebrate my nephew’s third birthday. Early in March, I attended a Credit for Prior Learning/MAP Initiative training in Reedley. For those who aren’t familiar with MAP, it stands for Mapping Articulated Pathways and is an online tool for colleges to share which industry certifications/prior learning might earn credit for particular courses we offer. We will be hiring a new adjunct CPL Counselor to assist with coordination of CPL requests coming in and have already had our first potential student upload their military joint services transcripts to our CCC MAP site. In March I also had the opportunity to attend CHSU’s Ignite the Future Scholarship Gala and the Chief Student Services Officers Association Conference (CSSO) Leading Boldly, Advocating Fiercely held in San Francisco. As we head into April, the Student Services Division will be interviewing for a new Dean of Students, who will begin on July 1, 2025, and we’ll be gearing up for all the end of semester activities. Please take the time to review some updates from our different Student Services areas.

Black & African American Student Engagement (BAASE)

The BAASE Team had the privilege of presenting at the 2025 CCC Transfer Conference on Wednesday, March 26. Our session, titled “Elevating Black Student Success: The BAASE Program at Clovis Community College,” focused on how BAASE supports Black students’ academic and personal success through tailored support, mentorship, and community-building initiatives. We were able to engage with colleagues from across the state, discussing strategies for supporting historically marginalized students and sharing insights on best practices to improve student success and retention. It was a rewarding opportunity to showcase the impact of the BAASE program and the importance of race-conscious support services. We thank everyone who has supported this work. We look forward to continuing to build on these efforts to ensure Black students at Clovis Community College continue to thrive.

The Crush Pantry

The Crush Pantry had a busy month during March!

  • Crush Pantry: 1,411 visits
  • Crush Cupboard Snack Stations: 3,925 visits
  • Farmers Market: 151 visitors
  • Diaper Bank: 29 parenting students with 33 children served

CalFresh Outreach

The Crush Pantry team has been diligently informing students who visit the Crush Pantry about CalFresh (a federal program that provides individuals and families monthly benefits for groceries). Students can obtain CalFresh application assistance from the Food Pantry Coordinator or any of the Student Success Coaches.

The Basic Needs team held a CalFresh Support event on March 27 where students were able to learn about CalFresh eligibility requirements, how to apply, schedule appointments and receive case support.

DSP&S

Transition to College Night was a success on Thursday, March 13. DSP&S staff, Financial Aid, and Outreach ambassadors presented information to students/parents. A total of 90 people were in attendance, including 41 new incoming DSP&S freshmen. Backpacks and school supplies were given to every student that attended.

Dreamers — "Dream day" at Fresno State

Collaboration with the Fresno State Dream Center and CCC continues, as we support our students with the transition of attending Fresno State in fall 2025. On April 25, the Fresno State Dream Center will be hosting their annual “Dream Day” for transfer students throughout the valley. CCC counselors Carla Stoner and Nancy Chavero will attend and join CCC students at the event. A full day is planned, including campus tours, financial aid and scholarship information, a student panel, and lunch.

Male Success Initiative (MSI)

The Male Success Initiative (MSI) has had a dynamic and impactful start to the semester, fostering meaningful conversations and providing invaluable opportunities for our members. Below is a recap of the past two months:

February Luncheon Workshop – Self-Reflection & Personal Growth

We kicked off the semester with our monthly luncheon workshops, engaging in thought-provoking discussions centered around personal challenges, values, and misconceptions. We explored key questions such as: What challenges do you feel you have as a male student? What are your most important values as a person? What do you think people misunderstand about you the most?

These discussions allowed participants to reflect deeply on their personal and academic journeys while fostering a sense of brotherhood and support.

March Luncheon Workshop – Building Your Own Brand

In March, we shifted our focus to personal branding and the power of self-representation. Our members examined essential aspects of their identity, including: What is your personal brand? What values and strengths do you embody? How do your life experiences shape the way you act and represent yourself daily?

By understanding the importance of personal branding, our members gained insights into how to present themselves professionally and authentically in academic and career settings.

Spring 2025 SCCCD Men of Color Annual Conference

A highlight of the month was our participation in the Spring 2025 State Center Community College District Men of Color Annual Conference. Held at Fresno City College, this event provided our members with the invaluable opportunity to network with community leaders who are men of color. The conference was an enriching experience, allowing attendees to engage in meaningful discussions, gain inspiration from successful role models, and expand their professional networks.

Financial Aid

  • Edith Garcia has joined our team as a Financial Aid Specialist! She joins us from FCC’s A&R Department, and she will be overseeing scholarships.
  • Alyssa Talbot is back from maternity leave!
  • We will start processing 2025-26 financial aid files in April! Students should expect an email to their student account.
  • Second Spring Pell Grant payments went out on April 3.

Outreach

This month is a busy one for Outreach as they are about to partner with Counseling to help students during Reg-to-Go Priority Registration. This is the culmination of a year’s worth of activities at the high schools: application workshops, orientation workshops, advising sessions, pre-advising workshops, and weekly site visits. Thousands of students will register Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (April 8-10) and will need plenty of assistance as this is their first experience putting together their own class schedule. The team is excited to bring these students across the finish line and enroll them at Clovis!

Students who did not qualify for this week’s priority registration will still have a chance to register before the open registration period begins by attending Registration Express on April 23, a one-stop-shop event similar to Extreme Registration, but for first-time students only. Students can register for the event at www.scccd.edu/regexpress.

Outreach is also in the community in full force with some big events including this past weekend’s Big Hat Days and the week-long Clovis Rodeo later this month. They are also attending many college and career fairs across the SCCCD service area – over 12 are scheduled in the next few weeks alone.

The Welcome Center has also been busy with students needing registration help as well as support with their online application. Many applications continue to be flagged in the statewide fraud filter, and outreach staff work with A&R to verify legitimate students and release their application for processing. It is important for the team to ensure that this is not a barrier to their access to college!

Student Activities

April is packed with exciting events! Last week we celebrated Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with our Heritage Festival on April 3, and other upcoming events include poetry readings, an Eid celebration, and Anime Fest hosted by students and faculty.

Community College Month is also in full swing—stop by the bookstore on April 10 for free giveaways and paletas!

Looking to give back? Our Earth Day Celebration on April 23 is the perfect chance to volunteer and help beautify campus, including a new vegetable garden led by the Conservation Club.

Finally, student government is recruiting! If you know a student leader who would be a great fit for ASG, encourage them to pick up an application packet in AC1-160 (Student Center).

Stay engaged and make the most of this month’s activities!

Student Success

New Educational Outreach – INTDS-50 at Big Sandy Rancheria

We are excited to share that Clovis Community College has successfully introduced the first college success course, INTDS-50, at the Big Sandy Rancheria Native American Reservation. This initiative marks a significant step toward building relationships focused on education and community engagement. By bringing this course to the reservation, we aim to create new educational opportunities and foster a culture of academic achievement among Native American students.

Thanks,

Kira Tippins
Vice President of Student Services