Office of Student Services Update - May 2024

Hello!

I can’t believe it’s already May and commencement is right around the corner! I look forward to seeing everyone there in support of our students. I have included below a list of special program celebrations in support of our graduates.

April was another busy month for Student Services. We had teams out at all the local high schools, the Clovis Rodeo, the Zoo, and numerous community events focused on recruitment.

On April 17, we held our division-wide Student Services convening. We ate, we laughed, and we got down to business. Each department had the opportunity to focus on department-specific needs and provide feedback on budget priorities as we anxiously await the May revise. During the month of April, I also had the pleasure of serving as a selection panelist for the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Gilman International Scholarship Program. I was specifically assigned to Community College, Critical Need Language, and STEM review and selection of applications nationwide. I really enjoyed reading all the applicants’ essays and hope to follow some of their journeys while studying abroad. I’ll also be partnering with the Gilman Alumni Ambassador program to assist our CCC students with strengthening their applications for study abroad opportunities.

Student Activities

• Our Spring Extravaganza, end-of-the-year carnival is here! Join us TODAY, May 1, from 12 PM-4 PM for a day filled with activities, resources, and food! Get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather!
• We also had a blast hosting Crush Got Talent last night, April 30. It was great to see students and faculty participate in the competition.
• But wait, there's more! Our Finish Strong, Finals Week Events, are scheduled for May 7-8 and May 13-14. We are calling for volunteers to lend a hand in serving breakfast and dinner for students on May 13; those interested can sign up to volunteer. Let's come together and support our students to the finish line. Mark your calendars and let's make these events memorable!

Counseling/Outreach

• Our Counselors in partnership with our Outreach Team have been busy with final Reg-to-Go events and getting our priority registration students enrolled in classes.  The Week of March 22 alone, they were out at Buchanan, Clovis East, Clovis High, Clovis North, and Clovis West.  Our Counseling and Outreach teams have been instrumental in recruiting students and helping grow our FTES for the college!
• This is one of the busiest times for Outreach. Along with getting high school students registered for classes, they have been recruiting all over the county. Nearly every weekend has been filled with Outreach activities and recruitment efforts.

Admissions & Records

• Our Admissions and Records department, and specifically Reynani Chappel, worked in the early morning hours of Monday to ensure that all High School Enrichment students were processed, so that they would be able to register for classes on the first day of open registration.
• To date, we’ve received 3,353 applications for degrees and certificates! This is a record number for Clovis!

Title IX

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and we have had several guest speakers this month, including:

• Fresno County Probation Crime Victim Assistance Center Detectives Andrea Flores and Chris Aranas
• Joel Sanchez from the City of Fresno Police Department Sexual Assault Unit
• Raquel Garcia from Rape Counseling Services

Black Student Success

• The week of April 22 was Black Student Success Week, and our students were able to participate in numerous events both on and off campus, including the Walk it Out Chalk it Out event, Fresno State Black Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST) STEM presentation and Student Panel, the Black Student Success Spring Mixer, the Black Student Union Informational Meeting, and Bowling at Fresno State.

Veterans

• Monday, April 29, between Noon and 2:00 p.m., we celebrated our graduating Veterans in the Veterans Center.  We have Veterans who will be transferring to Fresno State, Cal Poly SLO, UC Santa Barbara, Sacramento State, and other schools as well.  It was a lively event, and our student Veterans had a great time.

Health & Wellness

• Tuesday, April 30, we had an unveiling celebration for the Wellness Vending Machine.  Huge thank you to Naomi Forey for all of her work on this. We are one of 13 community colleges in the state to be able to offer reduced cost wellness items.
• In the month of April, more than 600 students completed the Facts About Vaping Canvas Course that was funded through the Truth Initiative Grant. The course participants were surveyed and 94% of the students who responded said the course was worth their while. Students were entered for Amazon gift cards provided by the grant and 81 $25 Amazon cards were given away to selected participants.

Tutorial Center

• The TC has about 16 tutors graduating from both CCC and Fresno State. They will be attending the following schools: Fresno State, UCSD, UCLA, UOP, Cal Poly SLO, UC Davis, Cal Poly Pomona, UC Berkeley, and UC Riverside for Ph.D.
• To date, the TC has provided free services to 969 unduplicated students this semester, which is 10.6% of the unduplicated enrolled population of CCC. We have also offered 42 instructor requested study sessions this semester.
• The TC will have extended hours for Finish strong week: (May 6-10) M-TH 9am-9pm; F 9am-5pm; SU 2pm-8pm (online).

LGBTQ+ Taskforce

• This week, the Taskforce worked with GSA to host a panel discussion that was well attended and had great audience participation.
• They are now working on Pride Month activities.
• Two LGBTQ+ Finish Strong Meet & Greets will occur on May 2 and May 9 in AC1-275 at 5:30pm hosted by Isaac Reyna.

Basic Needs & Retention Services

• The Basic Needs and Retention Services team is hosting CalFresh Outreach Week from April 29 to May 3. CFO week will give students the opportunity to experience a full week of activities and info sessions geared to address student hunger, bring awareness to nutrition assistance programs, promote healthier eating habits, and connect students with additional student-friendly resources.
  • Monday - Crush Pantry Pop-up -10am-12pm – Near Bookstore/Café
  • Tuesday - Make Your Own Salsa – 11am-1pm - Near Bookstore/Café
  • Wednesday - CalFresh Outreach Tabling at Spring Extravaganza
  • Thursday - Meal Prep in the Pantry - Small Sessions – 11am-12pm & 1:00pm- 2:00pm – AC2 – 173
  • Friday - Burritos and CalFresh Outreach - 11am-12pm - AC2-176 - Fresno County DSS - CalFresh Outreach Presentation & Applications
• The April CCC Farmers Market served 192 students and their families.
• The Crush Pantry served 717 students and their families during April.  The Diaper Program distributed 102 packs of diapers and 472 students were assisted with hygiene items. 
• The Basic Needs & Retention Services team received and supported eight unduplicated students referred for housing insecurity.
• Summer 2024 Equity Book Voucher application is NOW OPEN!

Male Success Initiative

• Male Success Initiative (MSI) recently concluded our fourth Epic Lunch Series installment, themed "Finish Strong Feast" dedicated to empowering men for success.

Key Focus:

• Our discussion centered on building character, emphasizing the importance of facing challenges and adapting to situations.
• Student involvement continues to grow each month, reflecting our goal of fostering a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging and purpose.

Highlights:

• We explored the "7 Steps to Building Character," including self-reflection, self-discipline, embracing challenges, authentic communication, cultivating a positive attitude, nurturing relationships, and maintaining accountability.
• Our MSI group volunteered at the Fresno Rescue Mission Academy, serving food to the community and supporting male disciples in their rehabilitation program. We aim to establish regular service initiatives like this.
• Building character is a lifelong journey that requires spiritual growth and alignment of values with actions. Thank you to all who participated in the Epic Lunch Series VOL.4. We look forward to our continued journey towards empowerment and success together.

Adult Education/CAPP

• Clovis Adult Education continued outreach and support for Adult Education students. Clovis Adult Education Resource Extravaganza was held on Wednesday, April 17. There were over 100 Adult Ed Learners (ESL, high school diploma programs, GED, Basic Skills.)  Sasha Fisher and Alyssa Talbot presented on Transition Support to SCCCD and CCC Student Support Services/Financial Aid. 
  • Dual Enrollment Opportunity College Success at CAE campus
  • Monthly Enrollment workshops with Academic Counselor Viviana Huerta
  • Adult Ed Campus Tour at CCC - Wednesday, May 1
  • Sasha Fisher will attend the California Council for Adult Education (CCAE) State Conference for Adult Ed Learners
• CAPP (California Academic Partnership Program) - Clovis Community College and Clovis East High School are thrilled to kick off our Summer CAPP (California Academic Partnership Program) for the upcoming summer. 
  • Every year, we team up to offer a college summer bridge program focusing on our INTDS-50 curriculum. This summer, we're adding an extra layer of excitement by partnering with the Musical Department and Max Hembd for a weekly interactive series you won't want to miss.
  • Open to all 10th and 11th graders at Clovis East High, this program provides a fantastic opportunity for students to experience college

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

Kira Tippins
Interim Vice President of Student Services