Cerritos College held its 2021-2022 Convocation on Sept. 30, where President Dr. Jose Fierro made many announcements and thanked faculty members for all their hard efforts despite the pandemic.
Dr. Fierro said, “our sauce makes us better, more creative, and more focused on the important things in life like supporting our communities, our students and our families.”
Cerritos Complete Compromise plan benefits more than 6,852 students. An additional 2,000 new high school graduates joined the college’s award-winning program.
This year, financial aid disbursed $9,936,047 Cares Act grants to 17,304 students and The Foundation provided nearly $100,000 in COVID-19 student aid.
Since the Pfizer vaccine has been offered on campus approximately 400 students have been fully vaccinated.
The new study hall allows a restricted number of students to use the facility. Students must maintain themselves socially distanced. The purpose of this new addition is to promote a quiet learning environment during this health crisis.
As a result of the pandemic, the court gave Cerritos College a $225,000 grant from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. The Advanced Transportation and Logistics Center also received a $1.5 million clean transportation Grant to create clean energy in the workforce.
In acknowledgment of the mental health crisis brought on by the pandemic. The third annual Falcon Day featured keynote note speaker Dr. Scott Poland who focused his presentation on managing anxiety and modeling coping mechanisms for faculty, students and family.
This year the college had very many achievements. The American Psychological Association awarded Cerritos College chapter of Psi Beta a national Chapter Excellence Award. The Psi Beta co-adviser and professor of psychology Dr. Kimberley Duff was given the honor of being McGraw-Hill Western Regional Advisor of the year.
The U.S. Department of Education grant to create the community partnerships and teachers pipeline to advance educator diversity was received by the Teacher TRAC. The influx of different diversities provides students with unique learning experiences.
This year a multitude of professors received promotions.
Cerritos College also celebrated 16 Diversity Award winners Amy Holzgang and Erik Duan, Bravo Zulu Award; Patricia Robbins-Smith, Bridge of Equity Award; Don Mueller, Community Engagement Award; Alan Andrade, Cultural Ambassador; Micheal Meadors, Disability Inclusion Award; Chelena Fisher, Shelia Hill, Impact Excellence Award; Erin Cole, Nikki Jones, Lance Kayser, Diana Madueno, Don Mueller LGBTQ+ Inclusion Award; Johnny Wallance, Student Advocacy Award; and Irma Gorroino, Jamie Quioz, UndocuAlly Diversity.
The Convocation featured former student and guest speaker Mondo Fresco. He spoke and gave an inspirational speech about how Cerritos College helped shape him into the accomplished person he is today.
Dr. Fierro finished his introduction by finishing off his secret sauce, “at Cerritos College, our secret sauce is made up of you, our team members, faculty, staff, and managers, what you bring to the table matters to our students. Keep up the great work and go Falcons.”
President Dr. Fierro said all the accomplishments Cerritos College has received were attributed to being welcoming, responsive, knowledgeable, empathetic and efficient. He gave a special thank you to every member of the faculty and the students.
