Keeping Up with Central Coast College
In this issue:
- Welcome to spring quarter!
- What's new at Central Coast College – new alumni, new Pharmacy Tech Lab
- Tips from Career Services – this issue: Resume Writing Tips
- Tips from Financial Aid – this issue: Hot News! What is Delinquency?
- President's message – Spirit of Elsie Pyne Award for 2007
- CCC in the Community – Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce award
- Announcements/Upcoming Events – Spring quarter start dates
Welcome to your Alumni Association Newsletter
Welcome to the first Newsletter of 2008. We hope you are having a great start to the New Year! While our winters are mild compared with much of the rest of the world, we have had our fill of rain (even if it is much needed). We’ve been busy at school – read on!
What's new at Central Coast College
New Alumni
Central Coast College held its semi-annual graduation Thursday evening, December 13, 2007, at 7PM at the Salinas Sports Complex honoring those students who successfully met graduation requirements during Summer and Fall 2007. Mayor Dennis Donohue was on hand to congratulate the graduates welcoming them as partners in making Salinas a great city by putting in the effort needed to provide Salinas with a qualified and trained workforce.
Mayor Dennis Donohue is greeted by
Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer at the December graduation
The program included speeches by graduating students nominated by their instructors and selected for all-around achievement, including grades, attitude, and professionalism. Latasha Guajardo and her sister Jessica Castillo represented the Medical Administrative Assistant program; Ann Regnier represented the Computer Office Administration program; Erika Boyd represented the Medical Biller and Coder program; and Josie Magana represented the Medical Assisting program. They spoke of their experiences at Central Coast College and the changes in their lives as a result of their education.
Central Coast College President Robert H. Schaefer, along with the instructors, awarded diplomas to the graduates. Each of the graduates also received an Alumni Association license plate frames. If you are an alumnus and would like one, just come on by and pick one up!
Here are some more photos from the graduation -
We are proud to present to you Central Coast College Graduates 7/07-12/07:
Computer Office Administration: Priscilla Ancheta, with Honors, Valente Quintero, Alicia Ramirez, and Ann Regnier, with Honors and Perfect Attendance, all from Salinas.
Computer Specialist: Accounting: Marife Gragasin and Gilbert Martinez, both from Soledad.
Medical Administrative Assistant: Jessica Castillo, Salinas; Latasha Guajardo, with Honors and Honorable Mention for Attendance, Salinas; Yesenia Mora, Salinas; Nadine Owens, with Honors, Marina; and Maria Torres, Salinas.
Medical Assisting: Cricelia Alvarez, Salinas; Yesica Barron, with Honors, Salinas; Juan Caballero, Greenfield; Ana Camacho, Gonzalez; Lauree Campbell, Prunedale; Kimberly Cooks, Marina; Dorian Cornejo, Salinas; Elizabeth Figueroa, Watsonville; Pasia Gadson, with Honors, Marina; Vanessa Gamboa, with Honors, Salinas; Josie Magana, with Honors and Honorable Mention for Attendance, Greenfield; Nallely Molina, Gonzales; Jessica Rivera, Dos Palos; Jorge Teran, Honorable Mention for Attendance, Salinas; and Genevieve Vargas, Castroville.
Medical Office: Biller/Coder: Mary Blackburn, Greenfield; Erika Boyd, with Honors, Watsonville; Maritza Fuentes, Pharr, TX; and Michael Tresz, Kelso, WA.
Pharmacy Technician: Maria-Medella Amoin, Salinas, Honorable Mention for Attendance; Julio Avalos, with Honors, Salinas; Stephanie Jaime, Soledad; Nanette Lopez, with Honors, Salinas; Vanessa Martinez, Chualar; Reginald Olalia, Castroville; Megan Sullivan, Hollister; Antonia Vargas, Marina; Romayne Dickson, with Honors, Salinas; and Dee Dee Ikeoka, with Honors, Salinas.
New Pharmacy Tech Lab
Exciting changes are occurring at Central Coast College (CCC), a career training school located in Salinas for almost 25 years. Work was recently completed turning one of the classrooms into a laboratory giving the experience of working in a pharmacy for Pharmacy Technician students. Students now have the opportunity to practice what they are learning in a replica of a pharmacy.
"We believe in doing, not reading about doing," said Anne Biggs, Business Programs Coordinator. Unlike the traditional academic model of one teacher lecturing to a classroom of students, Central Coast College emphasizes practicing the skills employers need from their employees.
"We have had a laboratory for our medical assisting students for several years now and have seen how valuable that hands-on training is for our students," explained Robert Schaefer, CCC President. "When our students leave the classroom for work in a doctor's office, medical clinic or hospital, they have already performed routine screening procedures such as monitoring vital signs, drawing blood and giving injections. While our pharmacy tech students previously had hands-on activities, this new Pharmacy Lab gives our students the feeling of being on the job even before they go out on their externships."
Career colleges like Central Coast College focus on professionalism and employability in addition to the technical skills required for employment. Learning is a positive experience and, in addition to learning specific skills, students develop responsible and mature work attitudes, habits, and a favorable self-image. Central Coast College believes strongly in a holistic approach to training as preparation for the workplace. There are high standards for attendance, appearance, and professional behavior among students. "We want them to be good employees as well as skilled ones," said Schaefer, "and we felt strongly that providing a pharmacy lab would give our students an extra boost in fulfilling their career dreams."
The new Pharmacy Tech Lab has computer stations for students to enter in prescriptions, orders, insurance information, and print labels; a cash register to practice making change while talking with customers; and well-stocked shelves with empty bottles representing those typically found in a pharmacy. The Lab was built by Jim Davis with Esmeralda Maldonado, one of the Pharmacy Tech teachers, providing the design ideas.
Started in 2005, Central Coast College's Pharmacy Technician program runs 42 weeks, including a 120 hour externship at one of the many pharmacies that partner with CCC in educating and training local students. The program provides intensive training in the skills necessary to become a Pharmacy Technician registered to practice in the State of California. Coursework includes pharmacology, pharmacy operations, safety and ethical issues, basic customer service, and word processing skills.
Tips from Career Services
You never know when you may have to look for another job, so keep updating your resume every year - or as often as your responsibilities and accomplishments grow. Here are some tips for resume writing:
- Your resume should be easy to ready, not too busy or cluttered
- Use action words that describe you
- Be consistent with your formatting
- Do not use the word "I" or "me"; the resume is all about you so this is redundant
- When ever describing a job that you are no longer doing use past tense (e.g. workED, fixED, etc)
- Do a spell check and have someone else proofread it
Tips from Financial Aid – What is Delinquency?
If you fail to make the required payments on your loan(s) for a total of 240 days, the entire outstanding balance of your loan(s) is immediately due in full. Once your loan(s) is 270 days delinquent your loan(s) is in default. Our Financial Aid Office is available to assist you in ensuring that your loan does not become delinquent.
There are serious consequences of default:
- The entire balance, plus collection fees assessed to the account, is due immediately.
- Eligibility for any additional federal financial student aid is lost.
- You will lose the options of deferment and/or forbearance.
- The federal government can take legal action against you.
- Your wages and/or your entire state and federal tax refund may be garnished or intercepted and credited to your defaulted student loan account.
- Eligibility for certain state and federal jobs may be impacted.
- Your credit will be negatively impacted.
Remember…stay in touch with your lender, who is always there to help you keep your loan payments on track and to provide options to solve financial difficulties.
Deferments are not automatic; you must apply for one and receive approval from your lender. If you miss a payment, contact your lender or EDFUND toll free at 800.298.9490 immediately. CCC is here to help you maintain good credit - call Mary Jenn at 831-424-6767.
President's message
The recipient of the Spirit of Elsie Pyne Award for 2007 is Elaine Giuliano. The purpose of the award is to motivate and recognize exceptional service to our customers. This annual award, announced in December, is given to the staff or faculty member who best exemplifies the level of service provided CCC students by Elsie Pyne during her tenure as an Instructor from 1983 to 2004. The recipient’s name is placed on the plaque in the Student Services Office. Past recipients of the award include Anne Biggs and Diane Crowder. Congratulations Elaine!
CCC in the Community
The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (MPCC) promotes business through member services, educational programs, cooperative partnerships, and legislative advocacy that balances prosperity with the quality of life. At its 100th Anniversary annual Membership Recognition and Installation of Officers luncheon on February 18th, Central Coast College was recognized for 22 years of commitment, dedication and support of the Chamber’s mission and goals.
Announcements/Upcoming Events
- Graduation (Winter-Spring): June 18, 2008 at Salinas Sports Complex
- Spring Quarter Program Start Dates:
- Medical Assisting – March 3, March 31, April 28
- All other programs – March 3, April 14
Tell your friends!