“Because Clovis North is in such close proximity to Willow International, we were very excited to work with them to establish some amazing opportunities for our students,” said Carol Shanahan, head counselor at Clovis North High School and coordinator for NCCAP.

“The goal of this program is to provide a college experience for students who may have difficulty seeing themselves in college…” – Carol Shanahan, head counselor at Clovis North High School

Willow International, the newest SCCCD campus, and Clovis North both opened around the same time in the fall of 2007. Shortly after, administrators at both campuses began discussing ways to work together to benefit students. NCCAP is based on a similar program at Madera Center that provides students with dual high school and college credit for courses taken at the college center.

Last year, 19 Clovis North students were selected by their counselors and given the opportunity to enroll in two college-level courses for each of the fall and spring semesters at Willow International. The courses included sociology, public speaking, nutrition, and psychology.

“The college identified courses that would meet both two- and four-year college general education or major requirements,” said Deborah Ikeda, vice president of Instruction & Student Services for the SCCCD North Centers.

Credit and encouragement

“The goal of this program,” Shanahan said, “is to provide a college experience for students who may have difficulty seeing themselves in college or who may have some personal issues that hinder their outlook on the possibility of college.”

The students are selected to participate by their guidance counselors, who are familiar with the students both academically and personally. The initial cohort was limited to 19 students, based on the students’ GPA, work ethic, motivation, personal situation, and other factors. Both the students and their parents must agree to the terms of the program.

“We feel it is very important that parents understand what the program entails and that they understand the commitment that is to be made,” Shanahan said. “NCCAP students are now college students for part of the day. They are beginning their college journey, and we want parents to be aware of the schedule difference, the type of classes, and how this program connects with Clovis North.”

The college classes are scheduled to coincide with Clovis North’s first and second class periods. After the college classes, students are able to simply walk across the street to their next high school class.

The cost to each student is minimal. All registration fees are waived, and the student is only responsible for purchasing required textbooks and supplies. Once finished, the students have earned 12 college units of credit, and fulfilled their high school graduation requirements.

“The first year of the program went very well,” Ikeda said. “The college faculty felt the high school students did an excellent job and the program ran very smoothly.”

“Everyone—teachers, parents, and students—had nothing but positive feedback,” Shanahan added. “Students understood from the beginning that both their college and high school classes were their responsibility and one did not take precedence over the other.”

All 19 of this year’s NCCAP students will attend a college or university in the fall.

“I feel the NCCAP program gave many of the students the confidence they needed for a successful future that may not have happened otherwise,” Shanahan said. “I could not be prouder of them.”

The future

Next fall’s NCCAP cohort has been selected and registered. Again, there will be 19 students and they will take the same four college courses.
“In the future, and as the budget allows, I hope that we can increase the enrollment in the program,” Ikeda said. “This is a highly successful model of transitioning high school students into college level work.”

This year, the challenge was open to other area colleges, in addition to those at Fresno State. The first, second, and third place winners earn cash prizes to help develop their businesses. There is also a $1,000 People’s Choice prize for the student whose YouTube video receives the most “likes.”

Of 175 submissions, 20 were selected as semi-finalists. Among those were Fresno City College students John Olson and Rick Castaneda.

John’s business, J’s Trippel Vent Cleaning, would serve local homes for chimney, air conditioning duct, and dryer vent cleaning.

Rick’s idea, The Selling Sign, is an eye-catching, magnetic “For Sale” sign for automobiles, RVs, and boats.

Although neither John or Rick’s idea made it through to the finals, they are both still eligible for the People’s Choice award. All the semi-finalists’ videos can be seen at the Lyles Center YouTube page. Viewers can cast their vote by clicking “like” on their favorite video. Voting closes on Friday, April 29 at noon.

An Oxford-style debate is different than the debates on television during presidential elections. It plays out like this:

1. Before hearing arguments, the audience votes on their position.
2. Next, each side presents its argument.
3. The audience can then make comments, ask questions, or introduce new points.
4. Once the audience participation time is over, the debaters respond to every single comment made.
5. At the end, the audience votes again on their position.

The side that gains the most votes (compared to the vote at the beginning) is declared the winner.

“Once you have attended this kind of debate, any other kind will seem too meek and superficial.” –Cynthia Elliot, English instructor

“This debate is supposed to be loud and participatory,” said English instructor and event organizer Cynthia Elliot. “Audience members are encouraged to clap, stomp their feet, hiss, boo, and cheer as they listen to the arguments.”

Imported from England

The event is the longest-running annual event held at Willow International. It began in 2003, when Elliot taught the District’s study abroad program in Kingston, England.

“Once a week, my Critical Thinking students and I would troop together to the basement of a Methodist church where local lawyers, professors, and members of the Oxford Debate Society used this method to debate whether or not the UK should go to war in Iraq, whether or not it was more difficult to live in the 1900s or the 1800s, and other topics,” Elliot explained. “We were hooked on the adrenaline of fine logic and sharp wit. We were determined to bring this debate style back to Clovis/Fresno.”

The first Oxford-style debate was held at Willow International later that year. Each year, Elliot organizes the event, determines the topic, chooses the participants, and opens the debate before handing it over to a student moderator. Past debate topics included the repeal of Title IX, allowing naturalized citizens to run for president, and the legal right to privacy.

The debate is an educational experience for both the debaters and the audience. It serves as a practical example of rhetoric in critical thinking, and illustrates the importance of audience engagement when trying to persuade.

“We need this kind of stimulation in politics,” Elliot said. “More reflection and evidence in public presentations. Once you have attended this kind of debate, any other kind will seem too meek and superficial.”

The seventh annual Willow International Oxford-style debate will be held Today, April 14 at 7 p.m. at Willow International Center in AC1-150. The public is invited and welcome to participate (latecomers will be seated during breaks). For more information, contact Cynthia Elliot at (559) 325-5270.

Lead instructor Tim Smith has been overseeing the program for more than 15 years.

“We go over the principles, and then we do it in practice.”–Instructor Tim Smith

“Our program is state-of-the-art,” he said.

Students study the latest scientific research in the classroom, but Smith also believes in a hands-on approach to the science education.

“We talk about it, and then go out and do it,” he said. “Almost every class has a complementary lab aspect in addition to a lecture. We go over the principles, and then we do it in practice.”

In many cases, this practice happens at the campus’s own farm. Acres of farmland give students a chance to get their hands dirty. There are vineyards with a variety of grapes, an olive orchard, and even beekeeping facilities for pollination. The college works with industry leaders like Sun-Maid to ensure students are working with up-to-date equipment and practices.

The lab portion of the courses provide real experience for courses like

• plant biology
• soil science
• viticulture (grape cultivation)
• irrigation management
• tree and vine management
• pest management

Field trips to local packing facilities and guest speakers offer even more real-world insights.

Upon completion of the program, many students go on to careers in pest management, or as technicians for private companies or government agencies. Students who go on to earn a bachelor’s degree may become farm managers, sports turf managers, farm insurance agents, or entomologists. There are many careers open to students in the program.

For more information, visit the Reedley College Plant and Soil Sciences website.

“We provide one-on-one counseling, we pair students with mentors from the local community, and we prepare students for university-level writing through our English sequence and counseling classes,” said Lori Natal, counselor and co-coordinator for the Puente program at Fresno City College.

“In addition to preparing our students academically, we also emphasize the importance of civic engagement and community service.”

The English courses (Engl 125, 126, 1A) include a Mexican-American/Latino literature emphasis, but the program is open to any student who meets the eligibility requirements.

“The goal of the program is to prepare students for transfer to a university and to become successful graduates who give back to their community,” Natal said. “It provides the structure and support to help students stay on track to achieve their personal and academic goals.”

Leticia Montes is a former Puente student who completed the program in 2008. She attended along with her daughter Jessika.

“Being in Puente has made a positive impact on my educational goals,” Leticia said. “Puente put me on the path to obtain my A.A. degree in General Studies. Because of the program, I was able to accomplish this within two years while getting prepared to transfer to a university. I am currently enrolled at Fresno Pacific University, where I will earn my B.A. degree in organizational leadership.”

Both Leticia and her daughter built lasting connections within the program.

“We met some wonderful people whom we have developed long relationships with,” Leticia said. “It’s our ‘Puentista family.’ We know we can always count on our instructors, advisors, and Puentista brothers and sisters for personal and professional advice.”

Besides the bonds formed between students, Natal points to the program’s civic-minded approach and close mentor relationships as important aspects of its success.

“In addition to preparing our students academically, we also emphasize the importance of civic engagement and community service,” she said. “Our students learn the importance of civic responsibility through volunteering in the community and by networking with mentors who are professionals and community leaders.”

“Our mentors dedicate their time and energy to motivate, encourage, and serve as role-models for our Puente students,” she added. “We are very lucky to have such a strong mentor base. Many of our mentors have been with Puente for over 15 years.”

A number of former Puente students are now full-time employees at Fresno City College and serve as mentors in the program.

“I was a Puente student myself here at FCC,” Natal said, “and now I’m privileged to be able to serve as counselor and co-coordinator, and give back to the campus and community that has given me so much!”

For more information on the Puente program, visit the Fresno City College website.

Bishop directs both the concert choir and chamber choir groups at Willow International. He also teaches music appreciation.
In the spring semester, the Willow International choir will meet Thursday evenings in the campus lecture hall. The concert choir—a larger community group with around 45 singers—meets from 6 to 8 p.m. The chamber choir—an auditioned group that specializes in a cappella and more difficult music—meets from 8 to 9 p.m.

“The Willow International Concert Choir is a true community chorus.”

The choir performs at community college choir festivals, where it has consistently received superior ratings from judges, and typically holds two home concerts each semester. Past concerts have included works by Menotti, Vivaldi, and Gilbert and Sullivan.

On December 9, the choir presented a concert of Handel’s Messiah, featuring guest singers from the choirs of Clovis West, Clovis East, Clovis North High Schools and Fresno City College.

Spring concerts will include works by John Rutter and selections from Mozart’s Requiem Mass. The choir will also perform a new work composed by the choir’s accompanist, Kevin Memley.

Bishop, who also teaches music theory and directs the choral program at Clovis East High School, is glad high school singers have the opportunity to continue singing in college.

“It’s great fun working with many of my former students and some of the area’s top high school singers,” he said. “When they find out the choir is alive and well at Willow International, it provides another outlet for their continued choral training. We have some of the finest young voices around and, as we grow, we’re becoming a viable performing ensemble.”

While talented students comprise a significant portion of the choir, Bishop wants everyone to know that it open to anyone.

“The Willow International Concert Choir is a true community chorus,” he said. “It’s for everyone in our community who loves to sing or wants to continue the training and performance opportunities from previous programs, colleges, high schools, and churches.”

For more information on joining the Willow International concert choir, simply show up to the campus lecture hall on any Thursday at 6 p.m. when the new semester begins.

Located in the Media Center building at FCC, the Tutorial Center provides a welcoming environment where students can get help with any subject, from accounting to chemistry to Spanish. If a student is looking to brush up on basic skills, there’s help for that, too. All tutoring is on a drop-in basis, so there’s no appointment needed. Tutorial Center staff encourages and guides students to become independent learners. Most of the tutors are students themselves.

“Any student in the district can use our services.” – Ray M. Sanchez
Tutorial Center Coordinator

“Any given semester, there are between 50 and 80 tutors,” said Tutorial Center Coordinator Ray M. Sanchez. “Some work just a few hours a week in specialized subjects, and others work up to 19 hours a week in our busiest subjects like math.”

Students can come to the Writing and Reading Center for help with any writing or reading assignment. Most sessions are drop-in, but appointments can be scheduled. The Writing and Reading Center assists students with understanding assignments, developing ideas, writing thesis statements, and organizing ideas.

When students need to use a computer, they can visit the Student Success Computer Lab. It is the main computer lab on campus with 76 workstations for student use. The computers are equipped with Microsoft Office software, as well as specialized software to help support instruction. Trained tutors are present to assist students.

For students attending other SCCCD campuses or taking courses online, the Tutorial Center is expanding its online tutoring program. Currently, students can receive live help over the Internet in the subjects of accounting, economics, writing, and math. The Center has also developed FCCwise , a “one-stop-shop” website for FCC students, according to Sanchez. “There are student and faculty videos, resources, how-to’s, and more,” he said. It gives students “the essentials for their success and progress on campus.”

Taken together, the Student Learning Support Services provide indispensable help for those who seek it. Last year, students used the services more than 22,000 times.

“Any student in the district can use our services,” Sanchez said. “We see many top-notch students: students that have A’s and want to keep their A’s. As you might expect, we also see students that are struggling. It’s a mix of both, which creates a nice, collaborative learning environment where students help other students.”

For more information on tutoring resources, visit the Student Learning Support Services website.

Aircraft mechanics are responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient operation of the aircraft that link many of us together.

Over the last five decades, the program at Reedley College has expanded with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to prepare students for anything they may encounter in their career. A 22,000-square-foot hangar with adjacent classrooms offers space for both instruction and hands-on projects. The program’s own fleet of aircraft and helicopters are always ready for practice and demonstration. And once the aircraft are ready to fly, there’s a landing and takeoff access strip right on the premises.

The program offers training for Airframe and Power Plant Mechanics, who service all the functioning parts of an aircraft, including wings, brakes, tail assembly, and engines. Students may earn an associate of science degree or a certificate, which allows them to immediately take the Federal Aviation Administration exams required for certification. Conveniently, the federally regulated oral, practical, and written exams may be taken on-site at Reedley College.

After certification by the FAA, some aircraft mechanics may be employed by major airlines, while others may work on private planes or for charter airlines. Others may become inspectors, in charge of verifying work and certifying airworthiness. Each option presents different challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities. Whatever path they choose, graduates of the Reedley College program can be proud as they keep us flying, secure in the knowledge they’ve acquired through the Aviation Mechanics Technology Program.

For more information on the Reedley College Aviation Mechanics Technology Program, visit the program’s website.

The program offers an Associate of Science degree or Certificate of Achievement in Criminal Justice, with an emphasis in either law enforcement or corrections.

Law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and those working in the criminal justice system must begin with a solid educational foundation.

Under the guidance of program advisor Garry Elliott, students are introduced to the ins and outs of criminal justice—from police operations and procedures to criminal investigations and law. Recommended electives include Community Relations, Vice Control, and Multi-Cultural Issues Within Public Safety, shedding light on additional aspects of the justice system. Some of these courses are offered on an as-needed basis for students completing the program.

For those interested in pursuing further education in criminology and criminal justice, many courses are eligible for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The units may then be applied toward a bachelor’s degree in a criminal justice field.

The Criminal Justice Program is a great fit for students interested in problem-solving and public safety. This passion for helping others can translate into a wide selection of exciting and challenging careers, and this program lays the groundwork. Law enforcement officers and investigators, correctional officers, federal agents, and lawyers can all begin their path in the Criminal Justice Program.

That’s why Fresno City College introduced the 25 Month AA Degree Transfer Program. Now students majoring in Business Administration can take advantage of night and weekend classes with guaranteed enrollment. Students attend an intensive one-course-per-month schedule, including accounting, economics, and business classes. Their education is rounded out with general courses in English, mathematics, arts, and computer technology. At the end of the 25 months, students earn an associate of arts degree.

With the Business Division handling the registration process, the students are on a streamlined path to a degree.

The program is designed to meet all requirements for transferring to California State University, Fresno as a business administration major. Students may also be eligible to transfer directly to Fresno Pacific University with a slight modification to the course schedule.

A new cohort of students forms each fall to begin classes in the 25 Month Program in January. This cohort of peers forms a unique network of support. With the Business Division handling the registration process, the students are on a streamlined path to a degree.

The program is administered in conjunction with the Weekend College program, which offers a separate associate of arts degree with classes taken entirely on weekends.

More information about the 25 Month Program, as well as other special programs offered, is available on the Fresno City College website.