The annual Cerritos Welcome Reception was held this past Wednesday to greet new faculty, managers and classified staff joining the Cerritos College community.

The reception was held in the Falcon Square quad and was attended by several members of the Board of trustees, to include Cerritos President Dr. Jane Harmon and members Bob Arthur and Mary Loya.

The purpose of the reception was twofold, as a mixer for new staff members to meet each other and also for the staff to be introduced to their departmental deans and vice presidents.

Not all of the new hires who attended the reception are strangers to Cerritos College.

Several are former or current students who are combining work and school in their overall educational plan.

• Classified staff member Albert Wilmovsky works in the computer center and is a former member of the student government and once ran for Associated Students President.

• Marlene Mauinatu is taking a break from her education and is currently working full time in the Counseling office.

  “Getting the Classified position is great,” she said, “it means stability and benefits, but my job remains the same.”

• Kristen Towhid, who works full-time in the Transfer and Articulation Center, agrees with this assessment.

  “Working with students is great, especially since I was just there not too long ago myself.” Towhid has already graduated and received her degree.

Refreshments were served courtesy of the Cerritos Culinary Arts Department, with Music Department Director of Bands David Betancourt providing musical entertainment.