Inside CRC

Highlighting our people, our place, and our promise to serve

1

April 25, 2016

Earth Week Events Encourage SustainabilityCRC celebrated Earth Week with a variety of films, discussions, guest speakers and demonstrations. The main events,which took place last Wednesday included a discussion on “The Future of Biodiversity Conservation,” a keynote address by local food celebrity Amber Stott and displays on the quad that were informational and fun.

Displays included the Tiny House for the SMUD competition, a Food Literacy Center, Earth Day storytelling, electric and hybrid cars and more!

Amber Stott talked about the region’s grassroots food movement and how the food system is broken, having negative implications on our health, economy and environment. The Culinerdy Cruzer food truck was on the quad

where Chef Keith Breedlove served seasonal and sustainable products from local businesses.

Prof. Christy Bowles presented a lecture titled “The Future of Biodiversity Conservation”

FFA Field Day Draws Hundreds to Campus

Students for a Sustainable Future posed for a quick photo at their display table

Dr. Bush tested out an electric bicycle called a GoCycle Amber Stott of the Food Literacy

Center spoke during Earth Week

CRC’s Agriculture department hosted an annual FFA Field Day where competitors from high schools all over the state take part in contests and judging in various agricultural areas. Examples of contest categories include: Ag. Mechanics, Floriculture, Best Informed Greenhand, Agriculture Sales, Farm Power, Farm Record Book, Job Interview, Land Judging, Marketing Plan, and Nursery/Landscape. More than 500 students participated in CRC’s Field Day this year. Thousands participated in FFA Field Day’s across the state. CRC is the only community college to host a state final contest as well. The college hosted the State Finals for Agriculture Sales and a local team, Elk Grove FFA, won and will be competing at the National FFA Convention in Louisville Kentucky in the fall.

High school students at the awards ceremony during FFA Field Day at CRC

2

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 26

LRCFT Presents: A debrief on the

state of the California budget &

higher education, 2-3:30pm, Recital

Hall

April 27

SAAM: Denim Day, CVPA Quad

Career Fair, 10:00am-1:30pm, Quad

Employee Recognition Event,

11:30am-1:30pm, Pear Orchard

CASSL: Tai Chi & Breathing for

Stress Reduction, 12-12:50pm, Winn

Courtyard

Math Talk: The Calculator that Makes

you Think Math is Fun, 3-4pm,

SCI 308

April 28

CASSL: Tai Chi & Breathing for Stress

Reduction, 9-9:50am, Winn Courtyard

OneBook SpeakOut: “Fresh Fruit

Broken Bodies,” 1-2pm, Winn Conf.

Room

Career Center: Study Skills & Test Prep

workshop, 2:30pm, Winn 103

Social Responsiblity Film: Girl Trouble,

3-4:20pm, LRC 105

Math Talk: The Hidden Secrets of the

Golden Ratio, 3-4pm, SCI 308

CRC Baseball vs. Santa Rosa, 2:30pm

April 29

Math Integration Bee, TBA

OneBook SpeakOut: “Fresh Fruit

Broken Bodies,” 10-11am, Winn Conf.

Room

Hip Hop Competition, 7pm, CAC 100

Scholarship & Awards Reception,

6-8pm, Cafeteria

Theatre: Arms and the Man, 7:30pm,

Black Box

April 30

Theatre: Arms and the Man, 7:30pm,

Black Box

College Receives Basic Skills Initiative GrantRecently, Cosumnes River College submitted a $1.5 million grant proposal for the Community College Basic Skills and Student Outcomes Transformation Program. On April 1, the college was informed that the grant was funded.

The award will allow CRC to realize significant programs towards the goal of transforming how we deliver instruction in the basic skills, so as to increase access and success for more students. Through the BSI Student Outcomes and Transformation Grant initiative, basic skills instruction at CRC will be completely and thoroughly enhanced through the implementation of three over-arching strategies which will transform how, where, and when basic skills students are taught.

The three overarching strategies are a Re-Design of Basic Skills Instruction, Implementation of Cohorts to Success involving basic skills instruction and programs in Career and Technical Education (CTE), and adoption of the innovative and evidence-based Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP). ASAP is designed to help more community college students graduate – and graduate more quickly – through a combination of opportunities and obligations between the college and our students. The three strategies will be developed together so that the new BSI program at CRC will be:

• Scalable – Over the course of the three year grant period, at least 1,000 basic skills/ESL students will experience instruction which prepares them for success in English, Math, and selected CTE programs so as to shorten their time to completion while providing the support services needed to allow students to complete. • Sustainable – Over the course of the three year grant period and after the grant period, the new BSI program will be institutionalized.• Measureable – Over the course of the three year grant period and within five years of the initiation of the grant, the College will demonstrate appreciable gains in student retention, persistence, and completion.

Realization of this grant is only possible through the hard work of the Shared Governance Committee Foundations of Academic Success led by Math Professor Kimberly Williams-Brito. Several CRC community members were instrumental in helping write the grant including:Tadael Emiru, Associate Dean of Student Success and EquityKimberly McDaniel, Vice President of Student ServicesTeresa Aldredge, Counselor Paul Meinz, College Researcher Erica Reeves, Professor of EnglishJenna Francisco, Professor of ESLRhonda Farley, Professor and Department Chair, EnglishPedro Rubalcava, Instructional Assistant – Math CenterCori Burns, Professor of Medical AssistingBrian Noel, Professor of Automotive Mechanics TechnologyBob Johnson, Dean of Career and Technical EducationJames Wilson, Professor of ESL

Well done, CRC!

3

Need Inspiration? A Letter from a Former Student...Dear Professor (Sandra) Carter,

My name is Sergio Venegas. You may not remember me, but I was a student of yours back in 2006. Back then I had just arrived from Spain without knowing a word of English. I remember being scared because I was too young and confused in a world that was completely new to me. Anyways, I always remember your words of encouragement and how hard you tried to help everyone. I know and understand that sometimes working as an ESL teacher in a community college that is constantly being subject to budget cuts is not easy, so I just wanted to reach out and thank you for making a difference in my life. I am where I am partly because of all the people that have helped me along the way, and that definitely includes you.

After I finished the ESL program at CRC, I started taking classes from the economics department. I eventually transferred to UC Berkeley where I earned a BA in Economics with a minor in global poverty. After graduating, I started working at a government-consulting firm as a research analyst and later as a senior research analyst. Under these roles, I have designed, evaluated, and pushed for all kinds of legislation. These have included things like childcare subsidy pilots in counties throughout California, policies relating to racial disproportionality and violence prevention, health care reform in California (I was the person working on the original grant application to implement innovations to satisfy the Medicaid Expansion in CA), HIV/AIDS programs at the federal level, universal medical insurance for kids throughout the U.S., among a good many others. I am now leaving this position to go back to school. I will be starting a Masters in Public Administration at Princeton University, where I was offered a full ride.

I am telling you all of this because, in a way, you started all of this. You talked to me for the first time and convinced me that everything was going to be ok. You were the first person to teach me English; the language that I now use to give a voice to those that are not part of the policymaking process. I guess I just wanted to show the ripple effects of your powerful work. So once again, thank you for everything. You made a difference in my life, as I am sure you have done in many others.

Don’t hesitate to reach to me if you ever need anything.

All the best,Sergio

The CRC Theatre department presents “Arms and the Man,” which is a comedy by George Bernard Shaw. The title comes from the opening words of Virgil’s Aenid, in Latin: Arma virumque cano (“Of arms and the man I sing”).

“Arms and the Man” is a humorous play that shows the futility of war and comically deals with the hypocrisies of human nature.

Opening Night Friday April 29- 7:30 pmSaturday April 30- 7:30 pmThursday May 5 12:00 Noon- (Free Performance in conjunction with Spring Fest. Tickets will be available at the box office ONLY and not through Vendini.)Friday May 6- 7:30 pmSaturday May 7- 7:30 pm Wednesday May 11- 12:00 NoonFriday May 13- 7:30 pmClosing Night Saturday May 14- 7:30 pm

Sergio Venegas

Theatre Presents Arms and the Man

4

CRC’s Model UN Team represented the People’s Republic of China at the 66th Annual Model UN of the Far West conference held in Burlingame (April 15-19). This year’s team of 14 students was led by Olivia Askins and Kaveh Toofan and advised by Professor Martin Morales, Chair of Global Studies. The team held seats on the Security Council, General Assembly and every other committee (FAO, ECOSOC, 3rd, etc.). Global Studies students who participate in Model UN get the opportunity to practice a very unique skill set.

Students write country political/economic profiles and resolutions to agendized issues prior to traveling to the conference where they compete against two and four year regional institutions (western states). The experience allows for students to improve

their research, writing and public speaking skills as well as honing their skills in diplomacy and negotiations.

“This is our third year for Model UN and it’s the best team we’ve fielded,” according to Martin. “These students have put in long hours of preparation, researching and learning issues they’d be facing at MUNFW - even travelling to the SF Consulate of the PRC for a briefing. Unfortunately, the team faced many of the same situations China does in international relations. This team learned more from this experience than they realized possible and those students staying next year look forward to applying the lessons from this year’s conference.”

The team wishes to publicly thank Vice President Whitney Yamamura for his decision to support Model UN in this academic activity.

CRC Model UN students represented the People’s Republic of China at the annual conference

CRC’s Model UN Shines at Annual Conference

Student Awards Given During Annual CeremonyThe Student Life & Leadership Center held its 4th Annual Choice Leadership Awards ceremony last Wednesday. There were four categories of individual awards. Nominations received from our CRC community were assessed by the awards committee. The awards are funded by: Presidential Choice ($100): Student Senate Corona Model Leadership($100): Student Life & Leadership Center Outstanding Contribution & Service($100): Student Senate Durand Exemplary Leadership($2500): Student Senate and CRC Foundation There were nine nominees plus two selected by the Student Senate President. Each received a “goodie bag,” compliments of the Student Life & Leadership Center, Financial Aid, CRC Foundation and the CRC Theatre Department. The 2016 winners are: Student Senate Presidential Choice: Nathaniel Adams, Evan Nguyen Chris Corona Model Leadership & Service: Travis Coleman, Hiroko Iyong, Laura Roccucci, Tony Tran Outstanding Contribution & Service: Olivia Askins Oliver J. Durand Exemplary Leadership & Service: Nathaniel Adams

Entertainment was provided by CRC students, Brian Diaz and DeWayne Ewing, Jr.

Oliver J. Durand winner Nathaniel Adams

5

As part of the Los Rios Police Department’s training, last week the ACES team from the LRC building had an opportunity to test out a “Lifeslider” device in the event someone became injured while evacuating the building.

Training sessions are offered on a regular basis and can be found at the Los Rios PD website.

Inside CRC is produced by the Public Information Office. For more information, please call (916) 691-7199.

ACES Team Practices Using the Lifeslider

CDC Celebrates 40th AnniversaryThe Cosumnes River College Child Development Center (formerly called Children’s Center) celebrated its 40 year anniversary last week.The CDC has been providing quality child care for student parents since it opened on campus in a small portable building in September 1975.To celebrate its 40th year of providing exceptional care, former directors Linn Violett, Tom Cole and Becky Halligan were all there, as well as several previous staff members and ECE faculty.

Defense Techniques Taught During SAAMAs part of Sexual Assault Awareness Mont (SAAM), Noah Willsmore of Woodall’s Self Defense, 5th degree Black Belt and Folsom State Prison corrections officer visited CRC to present, demonstrate and teach self-defense techniques to the CRC community. On April 19th Noah presented on self-defense techniques with videos of his

trainings and interactive discussions. His abrupt and raw presentation included videos and slides to prepare attendees for the harsh reality of being attacked, and how to respond both verbally and physically to a situation where they have to fight back. On April 21, he returned for his self-defense workshop. At the workshop he put his tips and techniques to the

test along with about 15-20 attendees. He personally demonstrated and taught the group how to know when to act, how to block

punches, to effectively respond verbally, and the difference between battery and assault. Students, faculty and staff attended both the discussions and demonstrations as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month with hopes of learning how to better protect themselves.

The CDC supervisors/directors from left to right; Jennifer Patrick, Becky Halligan, Tom Cole, Linn Violett Back row: left to right Arlene Meltzer, Ngoc Nguyen, Shirley Murillo, Debbie Weber, Joleen Petersen, Irene and Ethan Burrill, Lynda Pressley, Michele Phu, My Nguyen, Lora Wardlaw, Kim Davis, Jenny Yerxa Oliver

Self Defense instructor Noah Willsmore demonstrates techniques CRC staff and students can use if needed